Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education PK-12 Certification
Certificate Level: Graduate
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
Number of Credits to Completion: 27.0
Instructional Delivery: Online; Campus
Calendar Type: Quarter
Expected Time to Completion: 2 years
Financial Aid Eligibility: Aid eligible*
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 13.1017
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 25-2052
*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 PK-12 Certification program seeks to prepare professionals who are equipped with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to meet the needs of students at risk for academic failure and students with disabilities across educational settings.
This certification program focuses on students at the PreK through secondary level. The Special Education PK-12 Certification program is for those who already hold an Instructional I or II teaching certification and would like to add on a teaching certificate in PK-12 Special Education in Pennsylvania.
The courses in the certification cover the PA General Standards for Special Education and the standards outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Most courses include a fieldwork component that helps the student apply the skills and content learned in the classroom to real world educational environments.
Admission Requirements
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
- A Pennsylvania Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate
Program Requirements
Pre-requisites for Certification in Special Education (PreK-12)
Students must have completed the following courses in order to apply for a Pennsylvania Special Education PreK-12 certification. All students entering the post-bachelor's certificate program after 2011 should have had these core courses in their initial certification program. If a student has not completed the following three courses, they should be taken to apply for special education certification:
| EDEX 542 | Fundamentals of Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDEX 544 | Inclusive Practices | 3.0 |
| EDEX 568 | Literacy and Content Skill Development PK-12 | 3.0 |
| Core Certification Courses | ||
| EDEX 536 | Special Education Law and Process | 3.0 |
| EDEX 543 | Emotional and Behavioral Support of Individuals with Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDEX 549 | Teaching Individuals with High Incident Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDEX 550 | Teaching Individuals with Low Incident Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDEX 552 | Integrating Technology for Learning & Achievement | 3.0 |
| EDEX 555 | Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3.0 |
| EDEX 575 | Teaching STEAM in an Inclusive Environment PK-12 | 3.0 |
| EDEX 578 | Special Education Practicum PK-12 | 3.0 |
| or EDEX 514 | Special Education Student Teaching Seminar | |
| EDEX 588 | Implementing Academic Interventions in Inclusive Educational Environments | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 27.0 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDEX 549 | Teaching Individuals with High Incident Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDEX 575 | Teaching STEAM in an Inclusive Environment PK-12 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| EDEX 543 | Emotional and Behavioral Support of Individuals with Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDEX 555 | Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDEX 550 | Teaching Individuals with Low Incident Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDEX 552 | Integrating Technology for Learning & Achievement | 3.0 |
| EDEX 588 | Implementing Academic Interventions in Inclusive Educational Environments | 3.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDEX 536 | Special Education Law and Process | 3.0 |
| EDEX 578 or EDEX 514 | Special Education Practicum PK-12 or Special Education Student Teaching Seminar | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
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.