This certificate is intended for licensed teachers. This program will serve as the program’s program of study for endorsement in special education. The candidate also must have filed an Additional Licensure Plan (ALP) that the state offers to teachers. The certificate is a minimum of 18 credit hours for candidates who are on emergency certificates or who simply desire an endorsement to the initial license. The required courses will be determined by an audit of transcripts. The certificate is carved out of the master’s coursework and allows the candidate to complete it in a timely manner. The candidate may easily continue toward the master’s degrees.

Admissions Requirements

• Initial license in education
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.0 in the last 60 hours

Transcript audits must show literacy and math content and an introductory course in special education and classroom management. Additionally, candidates may transfer in from a state-approved program in graduate special education with a GPA of at least 3.0. A candidate may be enrolled in a nontraditional initial licensure program for a minimum of 12 credits at a GPA of 3.0. This candidate may take courses but will not be recommended for the certificate until successfully completing their initial licensure program. Undergraduate candidates within 15 hours of completing their undergraduate program may begin the graduate certificate program and take up to 6 hours of the program with the approval of the graduate coordinator and instructor. Exit requirements include a minimum of 3.0 GPA, passing Praxis examinations, and submission of required program assessments.