Graduate Certificate in Special Education K-12 Teaching

 
This fully online certificate is suited for provisionally licensed special educators in Virginia schools who are focused on teaching students with disabilities who are learning the general education curriculum. Read our Application Checklist - Certificate in Special Education K12 Teaching for a complete list of the admissions items required as you complete the online application process. If you do not currently hold a provisional teaching license, you can complete the SEDP 630: Trends in Special Education course to become eligible for employment as a special education teacher (general curriculum focus) within a Virginia school division. To find a good fit, contact local school divisions with your special education employment interests.

SEDP 630 is offered every semester in an online, asynchronous format through the VCU School of Education. Students can complete the VCU non-degree application to gain access to this certificate program prerequisite course. The schedule of classes is your resource as you review course offerings and availability in any semester.

Certificate students are able to apply for financial aid if they meet certain eligibility requirements. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website to learn about the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.

Through the certificate program, students will complete all coursework required for full licensure as a special education teacher who supports children and youth with high-incidence disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, and mild to moderate intellectual disability) who are learning the general education curriculum. This certificate is designed so that participants can complete requirements within an average of 18 months or five semesters, though this timeline can be flexible to meet students’ individual needs and timelines. Program courses are consistently offered in the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.

Eligibility requirements

• Current employment as a special education teacher under the Special Education, General Curriculum endorsement
• Provisional teaching license with endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum K-12
• At least one of the three required letters of reference is from an administrator or human resources representative from the hiring school division who can verify employment as a provisionally licensed teacher under the Special Education, General Curriculum
• Note: No entrance exam (i.e., GRE or MAT) required

VCU BULLETIN INFO

• Certificate in Special Education K-12 Teaching

PROGRAM BASICS

How to apply: Graduate application
Semester of entry: Fall, spring or summer
Application deadlines: Fall: Aug. 1; Spring: Dec. 31; Summer: Mar. 1
Late applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Resources and Checklists

Application Checklist - Certificate in Special Education K12 Teaching [PDF]

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• General admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School
• Bachelor's degree
• Verification and recommendation from hiring school district of employment in a Virginia school as a provisionally licensed teacher under the Special Education, General Curriculum K-12 certification
• Three letters of recommendation addressing the student's potential for graduate study in education
• Statement of intent
• Transcripts of all previous college work

FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO

• Future Teacher Program Guide - SPED, H&PE, Art & Music [PDF]
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• Special education funding
• Special education forms and resources
• Ruth Harris Professorship
• Licensure to program comparison chart
• NEW Course Finder tool