Special Education - General Curriculum Certificate

Return to: School of Education and Human Development: Certificate Programs

The Special Education – General Curriculum graduate certificate is designed to equip K-12 teachers with the knowledge and skills to address the needs of students with learning disabilities (e.g., autism, traumatic brain injury, dyslexia, specific learning disabilities, and emotional disabilities) in the general curriculum classroom. Students will be educated in the historical, ethical, and legal aspects of educating students with disabilities. Students will study how to identify, educate, and evaluate students with disabilities. Students will learn to develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs). Students will gain knowledge in implementing instructional strategies in reading, writing, and mathematics. Graduates will be prepared to teach students with learning disabilities in general curriculum settings.

This certificate program provides the didactic coursework necessary to satisfy the pedagogical content coursework component of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Special Education – General Curriculum add-on endorsement. The program does provide the experiential requirement for an add-on endorsement. To obtain the VDOE Special Education – General Curriculum add-on endorsement, graduates of the certificate program need to complete a 45-hour practicum or one year of teaching under the guidance of a special education-general curriculum-endorsed mentor teacher. The 45-hour practicum is offered through this certificate program. Students can complete this 45-hour practicum during either EDIS 5060 or EDIS 5230. It is not required in both classes.

This graduate certificate does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements. Teachers holding an endorsement in K-12 or preK-12 are not eligible to add the special education endorsement through this graduate certificate program.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum will provide the knowledge and skills to design instruction that meets specific learning goals for students with learning disabilities. The core courses focus on on characteristics of students with disabilities, the foundation for educating students with disabilities and an understanding of the federal and state regulatory requirements related to special education. CORE courses will also focus on training students in instructional strategies and applying best practices in instruction for students with learning disabilities. Coursework will provide students with knowledge in the assessment and diagnosis of reading and writing abilities. Students will be taught specific content strands of the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning. Students will understand the legal requirements to develop an individualized education plan (IEP) for students with learning disabilities.

For the grade-level coursework, students will gain additional knowledge and skills in assessment and evaluation, or transition planning, for their grade-level of interest.

Program Requirements

This program requires 15 credits of graduate coursework.

Required Courses: 12 credits

EDIS 5000 - The Exceptional Learner Credits: 3
EDIS 5060 - Math Instruction for Special Education Credits: 3
EDIS 5142 - IEP Development and Implementation Credits: 3
EDIS 5230 - Reading and Writing Instruction for Special Education Credits: 3

Grade-Level Course: 3 credits

Select 1 of the following courses with advisor consulation:

EDIS 5040 - Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education Credits: 3 (elementary K-6 add-on)
EDIS 5143 - Transition Planning for Special Education Credits: 3 (middle 6-8 or secondary 6-12 add-on)

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer in up to three (3) credits of equivalent graduate coursework, provided they attained a minimum of a B- in the course; the coursework is no older than five (5) years at the completion of the certificate; and has been approved by the academic advisor, the Academic Program Officer, and the Director of Teacher Education.

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure

UVA participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which establishes comparable national standards for interstate postsecondary distance education without additional regulatory authorization from member states. SARA also provides limited authorization to place students in supervised field experiences. Except for California all U. S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands participate in SARA. Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs. Additional information is available on the NC-SARA website.

Upon completion of the Special Education - General Curriculum Certificate at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates are eligible for an add-on endorsement in Virginia.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).