PreK-12 Special Education Graduate Certificate

Approximately one-in-five PreK-12 students in the United States receive special education services. Meeting the needs of these diverse learners requires qualified teachers with specialized understandings of this population and the knowledge and skills to properly support them. This series of special education courses is designed to help teachers meet the needs of students with disabilities and to increase the pipeline of qualified educators to teach these students.

Earn Your Certificate, License or Master's Degree in Special Education

Tulane offers several pathways to become a leader in special education. Through our Special Education courses, teachers grow their practice and skills and expand their career options.

Course & Certificate Requirements

Special Education Graduate Certificate

Students must take six courses to earn a graduate certificate. All courses are available online.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any subject.

Special Education Add-On License

Students can choose eight courses and earn the certificate as well as a special education license.

Requirements: In order to be eligible for the special education add-on licensure, teachers must already have a bachelor’s degree and be licensed to teach in the state of Louisiana.

Master’s of Education with a Graduate Certificate in Special Education

Students preparing to lead in the classroom and beyond may choose to pursue an MEd with a Graduate Certificate in Special Education from Tulane. Students take a total of 30 credits, with 15 of them focused on Special Education. Those students interested in pursuing both the MEd and the Special Education Add-On License will take one additional three credit course. For more information, please visit our MEd website.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any subject.

To receive more information on any of our Special Education pathways, please email Eunice Ofori.

Our Rationale

The shortage of educators with special education training and credentials at the local, regional and national levels is growing. For Tulane students on a non-certification education track, it expands the available course offerings to better prepare them for a range of careers within the education sector. The course series also offers practicing teachers an opportunity to grow their pedagogical practices and advance their careers.

Our program is designed to:

Provide teachers with in-depth knowledge and skills needed to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Provide teachers with additional opportunities to advance their learning and expand their career options within the high-demand and high-need area of special education.
Create a flexible, rigorous special education talent pipeline that helps to address the special education teacher shortage at the local, regional and national levels.

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Learn From Leaders in the Classroom

Our special education pathways are designed for teachers by teachers and experts in the field. Our Special Education Advisory Board includes representation from a broad spectrum of experts and stakeholders in the field: special education teachers, special education coordinators, parents, advocates, nonprofit-support organizations, students with learning differences, school psychologists and those working in special education policy. This team of passionate experts is helping us craft a relevant, rigorous, high-impact learning experience for teachers which will equip them to meet the needs of all students. Our classes are taught by practitioners with experience working with and for students with disabilities.

Praxis Requirement

The Praxis is a national licensure exam developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and required by a variety of states. Teachers seeking special education add-on licensure will need to take the following exam:

Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications (5543)

Special Education PathWay Admission Requirements

To apply for the K-12 Special Education Graduate Certificate, students should select the graduate application and choose the certificate. Students must have earned a Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. No GRE is required. Students must submit a 250-500 word personal essay, two letters of recommendation, and their transcripts.

To apply for the MEd degree, students should select the graduate application and choose the MEd- Special Education. Students must have earned a Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. No GRE is required. Students must submit a 250-500 word personal essay, their CV, and their transcripts.

Tuition & Fees

We offer a 20% discount to full-time teachers and paraprofessionals, including classroom assistants and assistant teachers. Click here for information about SoPA tuition and fees or visit out teacher discount page here.

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