Special Education Add-on Endorsement

Adding a Special Education Endorsement

Individuals who hold a current teaching license and wish to add a special education endorsement may enter this 18-month program of coursework and practicum experiences. Candidates must complete a practicum but may not register for the practicum until testing and coursework requirements are fulfilled. In some circumstances, teaching on a license for conditional assignment may replace the practicum requirement. Permission of advisor and Director of the School of Learning and Teaching is required to waive the practicum. All of the below are required:

The program is designed for the following:

• Teachers on a License for conditional assignment (LCA)  who are the teacher of record in a special education classroom
• General educators who would like to become special educators

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Special Education Add-on Endorsement program, candidates will be able to:

• Integrate principles of cultural competency, cultural responsive pedagogy and equitable practices 

• understand how exceptionalities interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.

• create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.

• use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.

• use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.

• select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.

• use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional, ethical principles and practice standards to inform their special education practice, to engage in life-long learning, and to advance the profession.

• collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.