Special Education Advanced Certification Graduate Program

Applicants must have an initial teacher certification to add on the special education certification. Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program must satisfy the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies. The following criteria are also required:

A one-page, handwritten letter of intent stating professional background, experience and rationale for wanting to be admitted to the department
Two letters of recommendation
A resume
An interview with the chair or program coordinator
An undergraduate cumulative QPA of 2.8. If average is below 2.8, the student may be admitted provisionally. No Cs may be earned during a probationary period.

Retention

Students must complete the criteria listed in the Teacher Education - Special Education Advanced Program packet prior to the completion of 21 graduate credits. Required GPA, child abuse, FBI and criminal clearances, TB results, and liability insurance coverage is described within the packet. Some requirements must be completed before course work can be initiated (e.g., clearances, GPA). See Advanced Teacher Certification Graduate Program Packet and COE Policy 3.1 for more detail and additional requirements.

Certification and Graduation Requirements

Students may complete certification course work to access teacher certification prior to completion of the M.Ed. Some pre-requisite courses or their equivalents are required. The complete requirements are listed below.

Advanced Certificate Program Worksheet

Pre-certification Requirements

Completion of the following undergraduate courses/equivalents is required.

Core Course Requirements for M. Ed. (15 credits)

Special Education PK-8 Certification Courses (equivalent courses may be considered)

Special Education 7-12 Certification Courses (equivalent courses may be considered)