Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education Leadership
Certificate Level: Graduate
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
Number of Credits to Completion: 25.0
Instructional Delivery: Online, Campus
Calendar Type: Quarter
Expected Time to Completion: 2 years
Financial Aid Eligibility: Aid eligible*
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 13.0402
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 11-9039
*The current plan of study for this program would only allow for federal financial aid (including Federal Direct Student Loans) for terms that are at least a minimum of 4.5 credits for graduate courses and 6.0 credits for undergraduate courses. This is based on current regulations from the U.S. Department of Education.
About the Program
The Special Education Leadership program is designed to produce educational leaders who are equipped with the advanced skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to oversee programs that meet the needs of students at risk for and with disabilities in multiple settings.
The program consists of 16.0 credits of special education leadership courses and 9.0 credits of leadership core courses for a total of 25.0 credits. The courses in the leadership core focus on areas of change, finance, evaluation and assessment, and technology. Students must complete all courses and meet the prerequisite standards established by the PA Department of Education for recommendation for the PA Supervisor of Special Education certification.
Admission Requirements
Students applying to this program should have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA)
- Completed graduate school application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two letters of recommendation—professional or academic
- An essay describing why the applicant is interested in pursuing graduate study in this field
- PA teacher certification (for those seeking PA Supervisor of Special Education Certification)
Program Requirements
| Leadership Core Courses | ||
| EDAM 708 | Integration of Technology with School Instruction and Management | 3.0 |
| EDAM 710 | School Finance and Facilities | 3.0 |
| EDAM 722 | Evaluation & Assessment Competencies | 3.0 |
| Special Education Leadership Concentration Courses | ||
| EDEX 710 | School Law & Policy in Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDEX 712 | Instructional & Curriculum Leadership in Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDEX 714 | Development, Supervision, & Support: Special Education Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDEX 716 | Organization & Administration of Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDEX 721 | Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Special Education Leadership | 1.0 |
| EDEX 722 | Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Instructional Leadership | 1.0 |
| EDEX 723 | Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Collaboration & Personnel | 1.0 |
| EDEX 724 | Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Finance & Management | 1.0 |
| Total Credits | 25.0 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits | Term 3 | Credits | Term 4 | Credits |
| EDAM 710 | 3.0 | EDAM 722 | 3.0 | EDEX 710 | 3.0 | EDAM 708 | 3.0 |
| EDEX 712 | 3.0 | EDEX 714 | 3.0 | EDEX 721 | 1.0 | EDEX 716 | 3.0 |
| EDEX 722 | 1.0 | EDEX 723 | 1.0 | EDEX 724 | 1.0 | ||
| 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | ||||
| Total Credits 25 | |||||||
Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with a field component.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please visit the School of Education's website.