Department Secretary
Certification with or without optional master's degree
For graduate students seeking initial teacher certification, the graduate program of study is the Special Education (PK-12) and Early Childhood Education (PK-4) Dual Certification (with the option of earning a M.Ed. in Special Education).
Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program must satisfy the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies and the Special Education Program. The following criteria are 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 official transcript(s)
- An interview with the chair or program advisor
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with a GPA of 2.7 – 2.99 will be considered for provisional acceptance. (No Cs may be earned during a probationary period.)
The College of Education requires up-to-date documentation on file in the Department of Exceptionality Programs Office of all clearances (i.e., criminal record, child abuse and FBI), TB results and liability insurance coverage prior to enrollment in a course(s).
Retention
Students must complete the criteria listed in the Teacher Education - Special Education Initial Program packet prior to the completion of 24 graduate credits. Required GPA, child abuse, FBI and criminal clearances, TB results and liability insurance coverage is described within the PRP 3810 - Admission, Monitoring and Exit Procedures for Teacher Education Initial Certification Programs and the program of study packet.
Some requirements must be completed before course work can be initiated (e.g., all clearances, TB results and liability insurance coverage). See Initial Teacher Certification Graduate Program Packet.
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. A diversity experience (see packet) is also required for the completion of the program.
Pre-Certification Requirements
Initial Certificate Program Worksheet
Completion of the following undergraduate courses/equivalents is required.
SPECED 101/516 Intro to Individuals with Exceptionalities/Orientation to Exceptionalities
SPECED 202 Technology for Individuals with Disabilities/may substitute UG Education Technology Equivalent
PROFSTUD 494/594 ELL Strategies/Methods OR AUDSLP 432/532 Communication/Education ELL
Core Course Requirements for M.Ed. (15 credits)
SPECED 502 Principles of Special Education Law
SPECED 547 Technology Applications for Individuals with Disabilities
SPECED 565 Special Education Research Methods I
SPECED 567 Special Education Research Methods II
SPECED 575 Seminar in Current Issues in Special Education
Certification Courses (equivalent courses may be considered)
ELEMED 526 Methods/Materials in Science and Math
ELEMED 532 Fine Arts/Play in the Early Childhood Education Classroom
ELEMED 537 Methods/Materials in Language Arts/Social Studies
READING 540 Introduction to the Teaching of Reading
SPECED 506 Introduction to Early Intervention
SPECED 517 Foundations of Behavior Intervention and Support
SPECED 530 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPECED 533 Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities
SPECED 544 Academic Assessment for Instruction
SPECED 550 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Mild Disabilities PK-8
SPECED 557 Linking Assessment and Instruction
SPECED 558 Methods of Instruction
SPECED 588/589/SPECED 561 Student Teaching/Seminar
Note: PROFSTUD 500 Graduate Professional Seminar is required at the beginning of any COE Graduate Program of Study (0 credits; no fee).
For graduate students who already have a teaching license in a discipline other than special education and are seeking an advanced teacher certification in special education, the two programs are Special Education (PK-12) Certification and Special Education (7-12) Certification. Both programs have the option of also earning a M.Ed. in Special Education.
Admission Requirements
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 and the Special Education Program. The following criteria are 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
- A copy of a valid PA teacher certificate
- An official transcript(s)
- An interview with the chair or program advisor
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with a GPA of 2.7 – 2.99 will be considered for provisional acceptance. (No Cs may be earned during a probationary period.)
The College of Education requires up-to-date documentation on file in the Department of Exceptionality Programs Office of all clearances (i.e., criminal record, child abuse and FBI), TB results and liability insurance coverage prior to enrollment in a course(s).
Retention
Students must complete the criteria listed in the Teacher Education - Special Education Advanced Program packet prior to the completion of 24 graduate credits. Required GPA, child abuse, FBI and criminal clearances, TB results, and liability insurance coverage is described in the packet. Some requirements must be completed before course work can be initiated (e.g., all clearances, TB results and liability insurance coverage). See Advanced Teacher Certification Graduate Program Packet and COE Policy 3.1 for more details 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. A diversity experience (see packet) is also required for completion of the program.
Pre-Certification Requirements
Advanced Certificate Program Worksheet
Completion of the following undergraduate courses/equivalents is required.
SPECED 101/516 Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities/Orientation to Exceptionalities
SPECED 202 Technology for Individuals with Disabilities/may substitute UG Education Technology Equivalent
PROFSTUD 494/594 ELL Strategies/Methods OR AUDSLP 432/532 Communication/Education ELL
Core Course Requirements for M. Ed. (15 credits)
SPECED 502 Principles of Special Education Law
SPECED 547 Technology Applications for Individuals with Disabilities
SPECED 565 Special Education Research Methods I
SPECED 567 Special Education Research Methods II
SPECED 575 Seminar in Current Issues in Special Education
Special Education PK-8 Certification Courses (equivalent courses may be considered)
SPECED 506 Introduction to Early Intervention
SPECED 517 Foundations of Behavior Intervention and Support
SPECED 530 Effective Instruction Practices for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPECED 533 Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities
SPECED 544 Academic Assessment for Instruction
SPECED 550 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Mild Disabilities PK-8
SPECED 557 Linking Assessment and Instruction
SPECED 558 Methods of Instruction
SPECED 591 Practicum in Special Education
Note: PROFSTUD 500 Graduate Professional Seminar is required at the beginning of any COE Graduate Program of Study (0 credits; no fee).
Special Education 7-12 Certification Courses (equivalent courses may be considered)
SPECED 517 Foundations of Behavior Intervention and Support
SPECED 526 Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
SPECED 530 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPECED 533 Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities
SPECED 544 Academic Assessment for Instruction
SPECED 551 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Mild Disabilities 7-12
SPECED 557 Linking Assessment and Instruction
SPECED 558 Methods of Instruction
SPECED 591 Practicum in Special Education
Note: PROFSTUD 500 Graduate Professional Seminar is required at the beginning of any COE Graduate Program of Study (0 credits; no fee).
The Special Education Supervisory Certificate program is for graduate students who already have special education teacher certification and includes the option of also earning a MS in Special Education.
This program is designed for graduate students seeking to develop the skills and knowledge required to provide administrative leadership in educational settings that serve individuals with disabilities. The completion of this program, in addition to select criteria identified by the PA Department of Education, will qualify an individual for certification as a Supervisor of Special Education.
It is designed to prepare entry-level leaders in the field of special education administration. Graduates may be found in leadership roles in state departments of education, school districts, intermediate units, approved private schools, detention centers, colleges and universities, social service agencies, and consulting firms.
The focus of this program is directed toward the practical application of administrative theory and school governance. This program is unique in that it will extend beyond the limits of the university classroom, into the interdisciplinary realm of the public school. A collaborative instructional design will be utilized during the summer course offerings to provide for a collegial and cooperative educational experience.
This program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Exceptionality Programs and the Department of Educational Studies and Secondary Education at Bloomsburg University. This integrated approach to instruction between regular and general educators is highly useful for professionals entering the public school domain where similar collaboration is central to success.
Design
This program was redesigned to address the evolving role of the special education supervisor within the public school setting. The core content and instructional design are based upon the recommendations of practicing administrators from across Pennsylvania, as well as state and national professional standards.
The program involves a one-calendar year design for completion. It also may be integrated into a graduate student’s current course of study. Students must have completed, or plan to complete, all Pennsylvania certification requirements for Special Education.
Admission Requirements
This program sequence may begin at any time. Application is made through the School of Graduate Studies. General admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and the Special Education Program include:
- 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 advisor
- A copy of a valid PA teacher certificate
- An official transcript(s)
Interested students who are currently enrolled in a BU graduate program must notify the School of Graduate Studies and submit a letter of intent to the graduate program advisor prior to enrollment.
Course Requirements
This is a fully online program. This program consists of five (5) courses and a six-credit internship. The sequence of courses required for completion of this program includes:
Administration
EDL 500 – Introduction to Educational Leadership
SPECED 501 – Administration and Supervision of Special Education
School Law
SPECED 502 – Principles of Special Education Law
Curriculum Development
SPECED 503 – Curricular Design and Instruction for Inclusive Education
Current Knowledge
SPECED 575 – Seminar in Current Issues in Special Education
Practicum Field Experience
SPECED 595 – Internship in Special Education Administration
Note: Students who have completed select courses within this sequence during previous graduate work will be provided with an adapted course sequence as appropriate. To determine the course of study you must complete, see the graduate program advisor.
Note: The supervisory program (21 credits) can be imbedded within the program of study of the Master of Science in Special Education.
Pennsylvania Requirements for Certification
(As taken from the PDE website *)
Issuance of the Single Area Supervisory Certificate requires a minimum of five years of professional school experience in the area for which the certificate is sought (i.e., Special Education). Preparation for this professional certificate is at the graduate level and presumes in-depth study in the area of supervision. A person prepared as a Single Area Supervisor may be eligible for certification provided the applicant:
- Has completed an approved program of graduate study preparing him/her for the responsibilities of supervising in the specified single program area and of directing the activities of certificated professional employees. (Preparation completed out-of-state must meet Pennsylvania standards for certification.)
- Is recommended for certification by the authorized certification officer of the institution where such education was obtained, or holds a comparable certificate from another state (for out-of-state graduates only).
- Provides a chief school administrator's verification of the completion of five years of satisfactory professional school experience as mentioned above. (22 PA Code Section 49.111).
- Has provided evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under Section 49.18(a). [PRAXIS Specialty Area Test: 0411 (Paper) and 5411 (Computer); Qualifying Score of 143]
- Is able to meet all other requirements provided by law.
(*) Please see the PDE website for additional requirements for PDE certification and for any updates as certification requirements may change over time.
Supervisory Certification Documents
- Special Education Supervision Certification Program
- Supervisory Certificate Program Worksheet
- Supervisory Internship Description and Guidelines
- Supervisory Internship Agreement
- Supervisory Internship Time Log
- Supervisory Certificate PA Standards
