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Special Education: Professional Learning

The Special Education – General Curriculum course series is designed to help educators develop the critical skills needed to teach students with disabilities. Online courses, a 15-credit certificate, and the opportunity to pursue endorsement.

At a Glance

Program Results

Professional Learning

  • Professional Development
  • Certificate – Special Education – General Curriculum
  • Add-On Endorsement - Special Education - General Curriculum

Program Type

  • Part Time

Location

  • Online

Estimated Length

1-5 semesters

Application Deadline

Spring entry: December 1

Summer entry:

  • February 1 (early notification deadline)
  • May 1 (final deadline)

Fall entry:

  • March 1 (early notification deadline)
  • July 15 (final deadline)

About This Program

The Special Education – General Curriculum online course series is designed to equip licensed elementary, middle, and high school teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the distinct learning needs of students with disabilities. This course series will provide teachers with research-based strategies to support these students in the general curriculum settings.

This flexible course series offers a range of opportunities, including:

  • Professional Development: Educators may opt to take one or more courses, without completing the series, to learn more about working with students with learning disabilities, or earn master's level credits. Students interested in obtaining a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction can take these courses as an area of emphasis.
  • Certificate: Educators, administrators, and students holding an undergraduate degree from a regional accredited institution (or international equivalent) may complete the 15-credit course series to receive the Special Education - General Curriculum graduate certificate.

Prerequisites For Obtaining An Add-On Endorsement:

Teachers holding any other endorsement, including K-12 or preK-12 endorsements, are not eligible to add the special education endorsement through this course series.

Requirements for Add-On Endorsement Candidates: 

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with one of the endorsements listed under Prerequisites For Obtaining An Add-On Endorsement (above).
  2. 15 required course credits
  3. Cover letter to VDOE requesting endorsement
  4. Fee to VDOE
  5. Official UVA transcripts (directions)
  6. 45 instructional hour teaching practicum with students with disabilities in the general curriculum, OR 
    one year of successful full-time teaching + form (Report on Experience Form in the VDOE Teaching Licensure application) filled out by the appropriate school official noting successful completion.

For those opting for the practicum route, a practicum will be embedded into the methods courses (EDIS 5230 and/or EDIS 5060) during the spring or fall semesters. EDIS 5060 is offered in the spring and fall, EDIS 5230 is offered in the spring and summer. A practicum is not available in the summer section of EDIS 5230. Please plan your schedule accordingly.

 

Special Education Professional Learning Opportunities

Special Education General Education Graduate Certificate


The certificate provides an official designation on your UVA transcript that you have completed the Special Education - General Curriculum course series. This certificate is aligned to the VDOE approved program regulations for the Special Education add-on endorsements in K-6, 6-8, and 6-12.

Important Notice: This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements. If you are seeking an initial teaching license, visit our Become a Teacher page.

ALL application materials, transcripts, and recommendations, must be received by the deadline in order for an application to be considered complete. You may begin, or return to, your application here.

Courses must be completed within five years of being admitted to the program.

Professional Learning Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the professional learning admission process, please visit our Professional Learning Admission page.

Professional Learning Admission

Professional Development

The Special Education - General Curriculum online course series is designed to equip licensed teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the distinct learning needs of students with disabilities. This course series will provide teachers with research-based strategies to support these students in the general curriculum setting. Courses can be used for professional development, recertification points, or an add-on endorsement. 

Students can transfer one course from this course series into the Special Education - General Curriculum Certificate. 

Application Due Date

Students interested in taking courses in this series must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Professional Learning Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the professional learning admission process, please visit our Professional Learning Admission page.

Professional Learning Admission

Program Details

Students interested in taking courses in this series must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed.

Students are encouraged to fill out the form early to ensure they secure a seat in their desired classes.

For Students Seeking Certification

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. online application
  2. two letters of recommendation
  3. undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  4. current statement of professional goals (1-2 pages)

Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts with their application; however, official transcripts are required prior to matriculation. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, the certificate and for contacting their advisor for planning.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be cancelled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application.

The Graduate Record Exam is not required for the Special Education-General Curriculum Graduate Certificate.

Special Education-General Curriculum K-6

  • EDIS 5000: The Exceptional Learner
  • EDIS 5142: IEP Development and Implementation
  • EDIS 5060: Math Instruction for Special Education
  • EDIS 5230: Reading and Writing Instruction for Special Education
  • EDIS 5040: Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education 

Special Education-General Curriculum 6-8 

  • EDIS 5000: The Exceptional Learner
  • EDIS 5142: IEP Development and Implementation
  • EDIS 5060: Math Instruction for Special Education
  • EDIS 5230: Reading and Writing Instruction for Special Education
  • EDIS 5143: Transition Planning

Special Education-General Curriculum Secondary

  • EDIS 5000: The Exceptional Learner
  • EDIS 5142: IEP Development and Implementation
  • EDIS 5060: Math Instruction for Special Education
  • EDIS 5230: Reading and Writing Instruction for Special Education
  • EDIS 5143: Transition Planning

In addition, students pursuing the Special Education - General Curriculum add-on endorsement must fulfill a practicum requirement:

  • 45 instructional hour teaching practicum with students with disabilities in the general curriculum, OR 
  • One year of successful full-time teaching + form (Report on Experience Form in the VDOE Teaching Licensure application) filled out by the appropriate school official noting successful completion.

For those opting for the practicum route, a practicum will be embedded into the methods courses (EDIS 5230 and/or EDIS 5060) during the spring or fall semesters. EDIS 5060 is offered in the spring and fall, EDIS 5230 is offered in the spring and summer. A practicum is not available in the summer section of EDIS 5230. Please plan your schedule accordingly.

Program Faculty

All Program Faculty
Bryan Cook headshot

Bryan Cook

  • Professor
Lysandra Cook

Lysandra Cook

  • Professor

Contact Us

Information Sessions

All Admission Events

The school hosts a variety of admission events including information sessions and open houses for prospective students as they explore our degree program offerings. View upcoming opportunities to engage with faculty and staff.

Online Graduate Certificate Programs - Virtual Information Session - October 1, 2024

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How to Become a Teacher - Online Information Session - October 8, 2024

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Disclosures

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/content.php?catoid=55&navoid=4441.  

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs.

Upon completion of the Add-on Endorsement in Special Education program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state. 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).