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 produce 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 in multiple settings.

This certificate program focuses on students at the PreK through secondary level. The Special Education PK-12 Certification program is intended for those who already hold an Instructional I or II teaching certification and would like to add on a teaching certificate in the area of PK-12 special education.

This program is a part-time graduate program consisting of 27.0 credits in core special education certification courses. For students who have not completed the prerequisite courses, the program will require 9.0 additional credits.

The courses in the certification cover all required state and federal regulations as well as 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:

Sample Plan of Study

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.