Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Supervisor of Special Education, Certification Only, Post-Master’s Certification


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The administrative program for supervisor of special education certification program is a certification-only track for those who have previously obtained a master’s degree and are seeking supervisor of special education certification. The coursework and related experiences prepare the candidate to promote the success of all students by becoming a district level leader for Special Education within the K-12 school system. “Leadership for Student Achievement” is the common thread throughout the program. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will make application for PA Supervisor of Special Education certification.

Student Learning Outcomes


  • Collaboratively lead, design, and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities that include data use, technology, equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community (NELP Building Level Standard 1, 2018).
  • Understand and demonstrate the capacity to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms (NELP Building Level Standard 2, 2018).
  • Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive school culture (NELP Building Level Standard 3).
  • Evaluate, develop, and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, data systems, supports, and assessment (NELP Building Level Standard 4, 2018).
  • Engage families, community, and school personnel in order to strengthen student learning, support school improvement, and advocate for the needs of their school and community (NELP Building Level Standard 5, 2018).
  • Improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies, and regulations (NELP Building Level Standard 6, 2018).
  • Build the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning (NELP Building Level Standard 7, 2018).
  • Complete an internship under the supervision of knowledgeable, expert practitioners that engages candidates in multiple and diverse school settings and provides candidates with coherent, authentic, and sustained opportunities to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills identified in NELP standards 1-7 in ways that approximate the full range of responsibilities required of building-level leaders and enable them to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult in their school (NELP Building Level Standard 8, 2018).

Admissions Requirements


  • Complete the online application.
  • Pay the application fee.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Certification in Special Education required.
  • Provide an official transcript verifying an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a GPA of 3.00 or higher (Students with a GPA below 3.00 may apply for conditional admission).
  • Provide verification of five years professional certificated service in special education on a special education certificate prior to acceptance.
  • Submit copy of professional certificate.
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Complete the required writing sample answering the question, Why have you chosen to be an educational leader?
  • If student does not have a master’s degree in special education, additional graduate course as determined by the program coordinator is required.
  • If applicable, apply for the acceptance of transfer credit prior to the beginning of the program (when possible).
  • At the completion of the program, the graduate student is required to pass the current PDE required PRAXIS assessment and make application for certification to PDE.
  • The graduate student shall also submit the appropriate form to program coordinator indicating application for certification has been completed.

Curriculum Requirements


Total Advanced Credits Required: 24


Total Number of Credits to Complete the Program: 24


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