Special Education: Low Incidence Disabilities, Graduate Certificate*

General Program Information

John J. Wheeler, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator, Interim Department Chair
510 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70547
(423) 439-4196
e-mail: wheelerjj@etsu.edu

The Special Education Program offers a Certificate in Special Education: Low Incidence Disabilities. The program provides advanced coursework directed at evidenced-based instructional practices for K-12 students with low incidence disabilities (e.g., intellectual disorders, autism, multiple disabilities). For current teachers, this certificate program can lead to an additional teacher licensure in Comprehensive Special Education.

Admission to the Program

In addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies:

• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Submission of a 2-page essay outlining past experience with individuals with disabilities and goals for acquiring a certificate in Special Education.

Articulation Agreement

A student who applies and is accepted into the master’s program in Special Education with a concentration in Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education, or Advanced Studies in Special Education, may apply up to eighteen (18) credits from the Special Education: Low Incidence Disabilities Certificate Program as the certificate program’s coursework aligns with the master’s degree program. Up to nine credits may be transferred from the Low Incidence Disabilities Certificate Program to another Special Education certificate program where applicable.

Special Education: Low Incidence Disabilities, Graduate Certificate Requirements: 18 credits

Required Courses: 18 credits

• SPED 5367 - Systematic Instruction for Functional and Academic Programming (3 credits)
• SPED 5401 - Positive Behavior Supports and Classroom Management (3 credits)
• SPED 5445 - Advanced Applications of Assistive Technology and Medical Aspects (3 credits)
• SPED 5587 - Access to the General Curriculum for Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPED 5755 - Assessment and Programming for Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credits)
• SPED 5767 - Advanced Strategies for Behavioral Interventions (3 credits)

Note:

• Students who have taken undergraduate equivalencies of the above courses may substitute such courses with coursework approved by the Graduate Coordinator and the student’s advisor of record.
• Students who have taken graduate equivalencies of the above courses may transfer in nine (9) credits that are approved by the Graduate Coordinator and the student’s advisor of record.