Program Overview

Introduction to the Special Education Grades 7-12 Online Graduate Certificate

The Special Education Grades 7-12 Online Graduate Certificate is a 100% online program designed to provide flexibility for working professionals. This certificate can be completed in one summer full-time or spread out over one academic year.

What Will I Learn?

Building on current certification, students will learn how to effectively teach adolescence-age students with special needs.

What is Unique About Our Program?

The certificate features a teaching practica experience and a student teaching experience, both of which can be done at a location close to the student's home. Guidance and supervision from faculty are provided, either virtually or in-person. The admission process for the certificate is streamlined, often not requiring an interview, with applications evaluated by faculty on a rolling basis.

What Are My Career Opportunities?

Upon completion, students will be prepared to teach special education in grades 7-12.

Program Requirements

The program requires 18 credits, including:

• EDS 506 - Assessment, Evaluation, and Learning (3 cr.)
• EDS 510 - Introduction to Special Education (3 cr.)
• EDS 524 - Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 cr.)
• EDS 539 - Instructional Practices for Students with Disabilities Grades 7-12 (6 cr.)
• EDT 598 - Student Teaching in Special Education Grades 7-12 (3 cr. required)

Additional Degree Requirements

All education majors must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to enter and remain in the program.
2. A grade of B or better in all required education courses.
3. Minimum grade of C in all conditions courses.
4. All education and conditions courses must be satisfactorily completed prior to Student Teaching.
5. Students must conduct themselves professionally at all times.
6. Demonstrate professional ethical behaviors.
7. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all required major courses.

Note

This program is not directly eligible for federal or state financial aid. However, coursework within the program may qualify for aid if it counts as electives toward another aid-eligible degree program or is taken in addition to a full-time course load of 12 aid-eligible credits.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Special Education (Grades 7-12), Adv. Cert program at SUNY Plattsburgh is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York state. It has been determined that the program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in New York; however, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. state for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.

Additional Degrees in Teacher Education

• Bachelors Degree: Childhood (Elementary) Education B.S.
• 5-Year Combined Bachelors & Masters Programs: Adolescence Education Grades 712 B.A./M.S.T., Childhood & Special Education Grades 16 B.S./M.S.Ed.
• Masters Degrees: Adolescence Education Grades 712 M.S.T., Childhood Education Grades 16 M.S.T., Special Education BirthGrade 6 or Grades 712 M.S.Ed.
• Certificate Programs: School Building Leader Certificate of Advanced Study, School District Leader Graduate Certificate, Teacher Leadership Graduate Certificate