Graduate Certificate in Special Education Online (Moderate to Severe)
Graduate Certificate in Special Education Online (Moderate to Severe)
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The Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Moderate to Severe is designed for educators who hold a valid Arizona Standard Professional Certificate in one of the following areas: early childhood, elementary, middle grades, secondary, hearing impaired visually impaired, early childhood special education or mild/moderate disabilities.
Candidates must also have three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-12. Upon completion, GCU’s College of Education graduate certificate program meets all requirements set by the Arizona Department of Education for the full endorsement in moderate to severe disabilities, providing a direct pathway to credential advancement.
Studying to earn an online special education credential can offer numerous benefits for aspiring educators, such as:
These skills can help you toward becoming a more effective and qualified teacher for students with diverse needs. Furthermore, you will have access to a supportive community of knowledgeable educators and professionals in the special education field who can provide valuable networking opportunities and connections. For those aligned with Christian values, GCU integrates these principles into the curriculum, emphasizing compassion, empathy and a holistic approach to teaching.
Moreover, pursuing a graduate certificate can ensure that educators stay updated with the latest research, methodologies and best practices in special education. The completion of this certificate can be a steppingstone toward further pursuits, such as pursuing a master's or other advanced special education programs.
Unlock your potential as a compassionate and knowledgeable educator. Join our program today to be taught how to empower and support students with diverse abilities. Begin creating inclusive and impactful learning environments that can make a difference in the lives of those with high-incident disabilities.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
The University will accept one course of the total certificate requirements in transfer.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
If any of your students present exceptionalities in any form, they will typically need extra support to aid their growth and development toward becoming successful and engaged graduates. The program places a strong emphasis on fostering critical thinking and leadership skills among educators, equipping them to provide the necessary assistance to students with diverse needs.
Professionals in this moderate to severe special education certificate program will have the opportunity to investigate diagnostic and assessment tools for determining student eligibility and monitoring for progress. Foundational knowledge is built regarding the use of multiple methods of assessment and data sources for diagnostic and educational decisions for individuals with moderate to severe exceptionalities.
Throughout this online special education graduate certificate, you have the ability to create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments through collaboration with colleagues and other professionals. Strategies to develop your student’s emotional well-being, positive social interactions and self-determination are prioritized.
You will also investigate how speech-language pathologists, special education teachers and others assist individuals with moderate to severe exceptionalities in the use of:
We have compiled essential answers to frequently asked questions regarding our online certificate program. Whether you're a prospective candidate or an interested educator, this may help provide clarity and guidance on the program's details, benefits and requirements. Explore the key information about our specialized online certificate for moderate to severe special education.
The moderate to severe special education certificate can provide career paths that have the potential to be rewarding and meaningful. You may find that being able to teach and lead a classroom of students toward a successful education and life to be emotionally fulfilling. Special education teachers can find careers not just in a traditional classroom, but also in nonprofit organizations, health agencies and clinics, government agencies or state programs that promote education and assistance for those with learning exceptionalities.1
Moderate to severe special education teachers should embody specific skills, such as patience, creativity, strong organization methods and a calming nature. These skills can help teachers develop innovative productive styles that cater to the needs of their classroom and students. An intuitive teacher who has found growth in flexible communication skills may be better prepared to understand and support the nuances of their students’ behaviors.
Yes. Many states and countries offer alternative pathways to teacher certification for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education. If you earned a bachelor’s degree in any subject, a certificate program in education can help put you on a path to becoming a certified teacher. Certificate programs help bridge the gap into teaching by focusing on pedagogy skills, licensure exam preparation and gaining teaching experience under the mentorship of an experienced educator. Be sure to check your state’s department of education, as each state has its own certification requirements.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in fields like science, math, literature or history, who are passionate about teaching, can take advantage of these alternative routes to become certified teachers and contribute to the field of education.
This can vary depending on several factors, such as the specific requirements of the program. Typically, graduate certificate programs have specific admission criteria, such as holding a bachelor's degree, meeting a minimum GPA requirement, submitting letters of recommendation and providing a statement of purpose. The program may also consider relevant work experience or prior coursework in education. Demonstrating your passion for special education, relevant experience and a strong commitment to the field can positively influence the admission process. Remember to thoroughly review the program requirements or fill out the form on this page and a university counselor can help you learn more about the specifics on getting into this certificate program at GCU.
The main difference between a special education graduate certificate and a degree program typically lies in the scope, depth and duration of study. If you are looking to gain training or knowledge in a specific career field, a certificate program may be right for you. Graduate certificates are often shorter and more focused on a specialized area of knowledge and skills, such as special education. This particular certificate only requires 18 credits to complete. It can enhance your expertise in a specific area of special education within a more condensed timeframe, while acknowledging that a traditional bachelor’s degree program typically entails a 120-credit completion requirement.
However, earning a degree, such as a master's or doctoral degree in special education, can provide a comprehensive and in-depth study of the subject. Degrees typically cover a broad range of coursework and practical experiences. A degree program may be a great choice for those looking to pursue management or leadership-level positions. Degrees often take longer to complete than certificates. The choice between a certificate and a degree depends on your career goals, your time commitment and your desired level of specialization in the field of special education.
A mild to moderate special education certificate is specially designed to provide teachers with the necessary knowledge, skills and strategies to support and nurture students with high-incident disabilities. This moderate to severe program teaches assistive technology, modifications and accommodations to help educators create a safe and inclusive environment to those with greater exceptionalities. These students are typically in a self-contained setting.
Mild and moderate learning difficulties are high incidence exceptionalities and can include communication disorders (speech and language impairments), mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, cognitive impairment or a certain spectrum of autism. These programs are usually taught in an inclusive, self-contained, resource classroom or a combination of these settings.
These are different from moderate to severe (low incidence) exceptionalities which include intellectual disabilities, blindness, low vision, deafness, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blindness, significant developmental delay, complex health issues, serious physical impairment, multiple disability or a certain spectrum of autism. Individuals with moderate to severe exceptionalities are normally taught in a self-contained setting.
Graduates of this program have the potential to enjoy enhanced career opportunities, such as:
Earning a certified special education certificate allows you to work with a wide range of student ages, grade levels and abilities.1 It may also open doors to finding work that involves performing instructional and behavioral interventions and consulting with students and families who face learning exceptionalities. By adopting this approach, the specific and unique instructional needs of each child can be met, enabling students to be grouped based on their developmental stage (ability) rather than age, ensuring a more tailored learning experience.1
The College of Education at GCU takes great care in preparing you for your own career in education, as well as teaching you how to lead your own classroom. This graduate certificate in special education online allows you to focus on critical competencies within special education for your chosen path of teaching in moderate to severe special education classrooms.
With just 18 credits to completion in an online format, you can earn your graduate certificate in special education in an efficient manner. Visit our Admission Requirements page for more information on how to be admitted into this program to work toward pursuing an online special education credential.
