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Special Education

Post-Baccalaureate Certification

The post-baccalaureate Special Education Certification PreK-12 program at Kutztown University prepares individuals to earn Instructional I Special Education Certification in Pennsylvania. Teacher candidates enrolled will achieve all PDE and CEC competencies to teach students with disabilities, prekindergarten through grade 12 or up to 21 years of age and complete various courses that will benefit their focus in the field of special education. This certification does not require certification in an additional content area.

With the addition of the thirty (30) credit Special Education Post-Baccalaureate PreK-12 Certification program, Kutztown University enhances the already robust and award-winning selection of graduate education programs and courses that are offered in a flexible format. This program may be completed in 18 months by taking winter and summer courses.

Program Snapshot

  • All courses are completed online with exception of the final clinical experience in special education.
  • This cohort-based model builds professional and personal networks between students as they begin coursework together during the same fall semester and collaborate on various projects throughout the program.

Program Contact

Please with questions about the Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education.

Special Education PK-12 Intern Program

Kutztown University is proud to be the first PASSHE school to offer the Special Education PK-12 Intern program for those individuals who are employed in a school district surrounding Kutztown and who have passed their PRAXIS exams. This allows those individuals to pursue their internship while maintaining their current employment.

To be qualified to student teach while employed, students in the Post-Baccalaureate Special Education Certification PreK-12 students must also meet the following requirements:

  • Have an Intern certificate in the certification area being sought.
  • Be currently employed in a one year/full time teaching position that includes the semester of student teaching as the teacher of record in the certification area being sought
  • Passing score on the special education PreK-12 certification test is required in order to be eligible for the Intern program.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in an undergraduate program and post-baccalaureate coursework.
  • Employed in a school determined by the department to be a reasonable distance from Kutztown University.
  • The employing district must be willing to appoint a mentor to conduct observations during the semester, provide mentoring and feedback, and provide evaluations of the clinical experience in the Special Education PreK-12 setting.

Program Contact

Please with questions about the Special Education PK-12 Intern Program.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education

    As a special education post-baccalaureate graduate you will be prepared to:

    • Use understandings of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
    • Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
    • Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
    • Seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

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