All-Level Special Education Certification

Program Overview

The All-Level Special Education Certification program is a Graduate Academic Certificate (G.A.C.) designed to meet the demands of academic rigor and ongoing mentor support for individuals who view teaching special education as a calling.

Program Type

• Teaching Certification
• Graduate Academic Certificate

Format

• On Campus

Estimated Time to Complete

• 1-2 years

Credit Hours

• 24

Program Description

The program teaches educators to set high expectations for their students and to individualize curriculum and enhance instruction based on learner characteristics. Additionally, individuals must develop skills that will enable them to collaborate with parents and other professionals to enhance the lives of children and youth with disabilities across their life span.

Program Highlights

• The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
• The College of Education is one of Texas' top producers of teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school professionals.
• Increase your knowledge and skills in providing services to individuals with special needs.
• Learn strategies for analysis, intervention, and support for students with behaviors such as autism.
• UNT's College of Education is ranked 1st in the North Texas region among public graduate schools and 3rd among public graduate schools in Texas by U.S. News & World Report.
• Candidates who are accepted into our program are eligible to receive a Probationary Teaching Certificate and be employed as a special education teacher during the fall and spring semesters they are completing coursework.

Program Courses

• Educational Appraisal of Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
  • Examinations of basic testing procedures and terminology as related to the exceptional learner.
  • Analysis of statistics used in test development and interpretation of test data.
  • Use of test data in developing individual education plans.
• Special Education Programs and Practices (3 hrs)
  • Presentation of special education roles, placement alternatives, legal implications, current status, and trends in special education.
  • Analysis of categories of exceptionality, characteristics, and terminology.
• Educational Aspects of Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3 hrs)
  • Examination of historical, theoretical, and learning of students with mild to moderate disabilities, including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and emotional/behavioral disorders.
  • A life span view of intervention models, as well as curricular adaptations across content areas is explored.
• Learning Strategies for Promoting Proficiency in Reading and Language Arts for Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
  • Educational strategies and interventions that promote academic performance of individuals with mild to moderate disabilities in English language arts and reading.
• Learning Strategies for Promoting Proficiency in Math and Content Area Subjects for Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
  • Educational strategies and interventions that promote academic performance of individuals with mild to moderate disabilities in mathematics and in content areas across a variety of settings and situations.
• Collaboration with Parents, Paraeducators, and Professionals (3 hrs)
  • Communication and collaboration models and strategies in working with parents, caregivers, and professionals concerned about exceptional learners.
  • Emphasis on the changing definition of families and changing demographics and the implications these changes have for effectively involving others in the decision-making for exceptional learners.
  • Analysis made of legal mandates and availability of resources to ensure quality services for exceptional learners.

---

Degree Overview:

The All-Level Special Education Certification is a Graduate Academic Certificate (G.A.C.) program designed to prepare individuals for a career in special education. It is a one-to-two-year program that provides a rigorous academic experience and ongoing mentor support. The program is designed for individuals who view teaching special education as a calling and who are committed to setting high expectations for their students. The program emphasizes individualized curriculum and instruction based on learner characteristics, as well as collaboration with parents and other professionals to enhance the lives of children and youth with disabilities.

---

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for careers as special education teachers in a variety of settings, including public schools, private schools, and non-profit organizations. Graduates will be able to provide services to individuals with special needs, analyze and intervene with students with behaviors such as autism, and collaborate with parents, paraeducators, and other professionals.

---

Other:

• The program is part of the IMPACT (Instructional Model to Prepare Adept Certified Teachers) program.
• The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
• The College of Education is one of Texas' top producers of teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school professionals.
• Candidates who are accepted into the program are eligible to receive a Probationary Teaching Certificate and be employed as a special education teacher during the fall and spring semesters they are completing coursework.
• The program includes a variety of courses, including:
• Educational Appraisal of Exceptional Learners
• Special Education Programs and Practices
• Educational Aspects of Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities
• Learning Strategies for Promoting Proficiency in Reading and Language Arts for Exceptional Learners
• Learning Strategies for Promoting Proficiency in Math and Content Area Subjects for Exceptional Learners
• Collaboration with Parents, Paraeducators and Professionals
• The program is offered on campus.
• The program takes 1-2 years to complete.
• The program requires 24 credit hours.

University of North Texas Summary

---

Overview:

The University of North Texas (UNT) is a public research university located in Denton, Texas. It is a large institution with nearly 47,000 students, making it a top choice for career readiness in Texas. UNT offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, as well as certificates.

---

Services Offered:

UNT provides a variety of services to its students, including:

MyUNT:

A portal for accessing student information, grades, and other resources.

CANVAS:

An online learning platform for accessing course materials and submitting assignments.

Student Email:

An email account for communication with faculty, staff, and other students.

UNT Directory:

A directory for finding contact information for faculty, staff, and departments.

Libraries:

Access to extensive library resources, including books, journals, and databases.

Financial Aid:

A variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

Student Life:

A wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities.

Campus Map:

An interactive map of the campus, including buildings, parking lots, and other points of interest.

Jobs at UNT:

A job board for students seeking on-campus employment.

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

UNT offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience with a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved. Students can participate in:

Student organizations:

Over 400 student organizations, including academic, cultural, and social clubs.

Athletics:

The Mean Green athletic program, which competes in NCAA Division I.

Campus events:

A variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and festivals.

Community engagement:

Opportunities to volunteer in the local community.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Academic Excellence:

UNT offers a wide range of academic programs, with many ranked among the nation's top 100.

Affordability:

UNT provides significant financial aid to students, making it a more affordable option for many.

Quality of Life:

Located in Denton, a vibrant college town, UNT offers a safe and enjoyable campus environment.

---

Academic Programs:

UNT offers over 100 academic programs across a variety of disciplines, including:

Arts and Design:

Visual arts, music, theatre, dance, and more.

Business and Industry:

Accounting, finance, marketing, management, and more.

Communications and Media:

Journalism, public relations, advertising, and more.

Data Analytics and Information:

Computer science, information technology, and more.

Education:

Elementary education, secondary education, special education, and more.

Health and Wellness:

Nursing, health sciences, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

History, English, psychology, sociology, and more.

Music and Performing Arts:

Music performance, music education, theatre arts, and more.

Public Service:

Criminal justice, political science, social work, and more.

STEM:

Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and more.

---

Other:

• UNT is a designated Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor Day Foundation.
• UNT has been named one of the safest college campuses in the nation by Alarms.org for four consecutive years.
• UNT is a top college for students graduating with the least debt, according to U.S. News & World Report.
• UNT is a top college for enrolling transfer students, according to U.S. News & World Report.
• UNT has been named one of America's Top Colleges by Forbes for 16 consecutive years.
• UNT is located in Denton, which has been ranked as the 7th best college town in the nation by 247WallSt.com.