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Graduate Certificate in Transition to Teaching Special Education

Be the reason a child loves to learn. Designed for students seeking initial licensure in Indiana, the online Transition to Teaching (TTT) in Special Education (SPED) program helps you understand the unique challenges and needs of many students in our classrooms today. It also prepares you for licensure with practical coursework, direct experience working with children and families, and faculty with relevant teaching backgrounds.

Applicants for the TTT in SPED program must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the subject area of special education. Don’t meet the admission requirements? Check out IWU’s Special Education Teacher Training Certificate program, which will help you prepare and transition smoothly into the TTT program.

If you’re interested in teaching special education, you can complete this 100% online program in approximately two years. You don’t need to pause your life to earn your degree, and you’ll graduate with a professional growth plan, a classroom management plan, and a behavior intervention plan.

Why Pursue My Special Education Teaching Certificate Online at IWU?

Our highly qualified faculty have extensive, practical experience in special education and offer faith-based guidance that will help you grow academically and personally. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a special education career. You’ll graduate ready for Indiana employment, with background checks, fingerprinting, and trainings already completed. Additionally, our tuition guarantee lets you lock in your tuition cost at the beginning of your program.

What Will I Learn in a Special Education Teaching Program?

Upon completion of the special education teaching program, you’ll be equipped to create developmentally appropriate instructional practices and lesson plans that support healthy development of students with special needs and their families.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

Tuition & Aid

21 Credit Hours

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$499/ Credit Hour

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Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition & Fees Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. The estimated cost of attendance is available on the financial aid webpage. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
What You'll Study

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence.

  • + EDUT-563 | Learning Processes, Diversity, and Development of P-12 Students | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-515 | Foundations, Practices, and Skills of Special Education | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-525 | Providing Language and Literacy Instruction to Enhance Assessment and Data-Based Reading Interventions for Students With Exceptionalities | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-535 | Methods for Supporting Students With Behavioral Needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 Hours

  • + EDUT-573 | Reading Strategies and the P-12 Learning Environment | 3 Hours

  • + EDUT-583 | Methods and Assessment for P-12 Educators | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-595 | Student Teaching: Special Education | 3 Hours

...

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

EDUT-563,EDSE-515,EDSE-525,EDSE-535,EDUT-573,EDUT-583,EDSE-595

After Graduation
Potential Careers

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Special Education Coordinator or Lead Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher Assistant


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements
  • Earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with one of the following:
    • Baccalaureate degree in the subject area that the individual intends to teach with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale; or
    • Both a baccalaureate degree in the subject area that the individual intends to teach with a GPA of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 point scale, and five (5) years of professional experience in the subject or related area the individual intends to teach; or
    • Both a baccalaureate degree in any subject area and proof of passing Indiana's approved content area examination(s) in the subject area that the individual intends to teach; or
    • Graduate degree in the subject area or related field the individual intends to teach.
  • A criminal history background check that meets School of Integrated Learning and Development guidelines .
  • Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.

    NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check that is acceptable to the university as a part of their application materials, that successful background report will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program. School corporations are governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees who set policy for their school corporation. All accepted candidates should understand that additional background checks at the candidate's expense will most likely be required by school corporations before participating in clinical experiences.

Program Requirements

All Transition to Teaching Special Education candidates will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana's approved content area examination(s) based on the following schedule, or will be administratively withdrawn from the program:

  • If scheduled for student teaching in September, testing is due the preceding April 1st.
  • If scheduled for student teaching in January, testing is due the preceding September 1st.
Clinical Experience Requirements
  • All candidates must complete field experiences throughout the program as well as a 14-week full-time student teaching experience in a Special Education classroom.
  • All course work prior to student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than "B-" in each course to be eligible to student teach.
  • All clinical placements will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
  • Removal from a clinical experience may result in the candidate not passing the course and/or being permanently withdrawn from the program.
Completion Requirements
  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and no grade lower than a "B-."
  • Successfully complete all Clinical Experience requirements associated with the program.
  • Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.

Upon completion of the Transition to Teaching Special Education Program, candidates will be recommended for Special Education Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the IWU Transition to Teaching Special Education program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.

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Accreditation

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

Education programs at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th Street, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-223-0077.

Take the Next Step

Discover the way forward in your personal and professional life. Earn your special education teaching certificate online at IWU!

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