diploma course in special education

Online Special Education Graduate Certificate

Develop a deeper understanding of special education so you can support the strengths and challenges of students with disabilities.

This 100% online graduate certificate prepares teachers to serve school-aged students with learning and intellectual disabilities and emotional behavioral disorders. You'll also be prepared to help younger children receiving early childhood special education services.

Why earn a graduate certificate in special education online?

This full-time, flexible online Special Education graduate certificate is designed for:

• General education teachers
• Early childhood teachers
• Professionals who work with individuals with emotional/behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities or learning disabilities

It provides you with the skills and tools you need to effectively address the many and varied challenges students with special needs face.

Special Education Graduate Certificate Tracks

There are five disability specific specialization tracks for this certificate:

• Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS)
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• Emotional Behavior Disorders (EBD)
• Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
• Learning Disabilities (LD)

Online Special Education Certification Program

You'll acquire a special education license to help fill the demand for special education teachers at the state and national level.

Fully online program allows you the flexibility to learn on your own schedule in the comfort of your own home. No campus visit required.

Enjoy hands-on, real-world experiential learning with highly qualified mentors and practicing special education teachers.

What can I do with an online special education certification?

Now is an ideal time to pursue a special education graduate certificate.  Job prospects are strong due to rising enrollments of special education students and shortages of qualified teachers. Additional job openings are expected as a result of teacher retirements or career changes.

Special education teachers typically do the following:

• Assess students’ skills and determine their educational needs
• Adapt general lessons to meet students’ needs
• Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student
• Plan activities that are specific to each student’s abilities
• Teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one
• Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress
• Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
• Discuss students’ progress with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators
• Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities
• Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and from school to life outside of school

Online Special Education Certification Courses

SPED 510. Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the field of Early Childhood Special Education, primarily for students interested in entering the field. Issues such as program design, parent involvement, identification, infant education, and effects of disabilities will be covered. F,S,SS.

SPED 555. Advanced Methods: Emotional Behavioral Disorders. 3 Credits.

The study of specific strategies, methods, and materials for working with students with emotional behavioral disorders. Prerequisite: Admission to one of the master's programs in special education. F,S,SS.

SPED 556. Advanced Methods: Intellectual Disabilities. 3 Credits.

This course is a masters level methods course designed for professionals seeking to extend their skills in the areas of instruction, functional (life skills) curriculum, program and curriculum development, and functional behavioral analysis for working with students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Prerequisite: Graduate status and admission to one of the master's programs in special education. F,S,SS.

SPED 508. Introduction to Learning Disabilities. 3 Credits.

The historical perspective and the complexities of identification and characteristics of learning disabilities will be covered. Students will gain an understanding of service delivery models within a multisystems approach. F,S,SS.

SPED 521. IEP and the Transition Process. 3 Credits.

This course covers the development of a federally mandated Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students identified with one of the 13 disability areas as defined by IDEA. Additionally, this course focuses on education, personal, and vocational transition for students with disabilities. Assessment and transition program planning will be covered along with interagency collaboration skills and career awareness. F,S,SS.

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Flexible Online Graduate Certificate Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

• Lesson modules
• Streaming video content
• Virtual libraries
• Posted lectures
• Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Special Education Certificate

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access:  Dig into virtual research from the Chester Fritz Library. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders in Special Education

Den Bolda, special education teacher at Fargo North High School, is a graduate of the online Special Education master's program .

Read Den's Story

Connect with faculty you'll work with at UND or discover similar graduate certificates.

• Department of Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice
• Find Similar Graduate Certificates

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