10 Online Special Education Graduate Certificates

Teachers may choose to earn a graduate certificate in special education to further their understanding of certain learning disabilities or to add the ability to teach special education students. These certificate programs are offered on campus and online, similar to online special education degree programs.

Multiple colleges and universities offer special education certification and degree programs online. Keep reading to discover some of the best online special education graduate certificates.

Top Special Education Graduate Certificates

Special education teachers can choose from two types of graduate certificates: those for teachers who already have their license in another teaching area but want to add a special education endorsement, and those for teachers who work in special education but want to focus on a specific facet of special education.

Several colleges and universities across the U.S. offer special education certificate programs. We've featured ten of these special education programs below.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers three online special education graduate certificates:

• Teacher Certification Graduate Certificate with a track in mild to moderate special education: for those with bachelor's degrees in another field who want to become special education teachers
• Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders: for those who want a better grasp of the needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Gifted Education Graduate Certificate: for those who want to learn how to identify and serve highly capable students and create the conditions needed for success in advanced learning

The ASD and gifted education certificates require 15 credit hours, while the teacher certification requires 29. Students can use the credits earned in the teacher certification toward one of the university's master's degree programs in education.

2. Ball State University

Ball State University is a public research university in Muncie, IN. It offers multiple online graduate certificates in special education, including certificates in:

• American Sign Language and deaf studies
• autism
• emotional and behavioral disorders

The university also offers licensure programs for teachers who are already licensed but want to add an area of specialization. Online licenses are available in:

• Director of Exceptional Needs
• Exceptional Needs: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12)
• Exceptional Needs: Early Childhood (P-6)
• Special Education: Intense Interventions (K-12)
• Special Education: Mild Interventions (K-12)

3. Florida State University

Florida State University is a public research university in Tallahassee, FL. It offers two online special education graduate certificates: one in Autism Spectrum Disorder and one in early childhood special education.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder certificate is 16 credits and allows teachers who hold an education degree and license to add an Autism Endorsement to their licensure. The early childhood special education certificate is 12 credits; while it does not lead to additional endorsements, these credits can later be put towards the university's Master of Education (MEd) in early childhood special education.

4. George Mason University

George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax, VA. It offers an online graduate certificate in assistive technology and another in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The assistive technology certificate is meant to provide special education teachers with a better understanding of how assistive technology works and its benefits for students with special needs and disabilities. The Autism Spectrum Disorder is a part-time program that prepares professionals and family members to work with children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in school, home, and community settings.

5. National University

National University is a private university headquartered in San Diego. It offers two online credential options for special education: one in mild to moderate support needs teaching and one in extensive support needs teaching.

Both online programs include in-person student teaching experiences and internship opportunities. Both lead to a preliminary education specialist credential in California.

6. Penn State University World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the online campus of the public Pennsylvania State University. It offers an online graduate certificate in educating individuals with autism.

This online program trains teachers to assess individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and develop evidence-based practices to enhance social, behavioral, communication, and academic gains. It covers applied behavior analysis, along with the learning environment and instructional design for learners with autism.

7. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas is a public research university in Fayetteville, AR. It offers online graduate certificates in special education fields like:

• advanced school-based speech-language pathology
• music education for students with differences and disabilities
• special education transition services

The College of Education also offers several special education endorsements for licensed teachers, including:

• curriculum program administrator-special education
• dyslexia
• early childhood special education
• K-12 special education
• special education educational examiner
• special education resource

8. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, FL. It offers two online special education certificate programs: a certificate in disabilities in society and a certificate in dyslexia.

The disabilities in society certificate doesn't lead to additional licensure, but it offers a focus on how disabilities are perceived, ways people with disabilities are included, and legal aspects of disability policies within and beyond practices in education systems. The dyslexia certificate trains teachers to assess students and design and implement research-based literacy interventions.

9. University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a public research university in Lawrence, KS. It offers several online graduate certificates in special education, including certificates in:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• high incidence disabilities
• leadership in special and inclusive education
• secondary special education and transition

These graduate programs are all asynchronous, meaning you complete your coursework on your own time. Many programs also allow students to transfer credits into a special education master's degree.

10. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research university in Richmond, VA. It offers two online graduate certificates in special education: one in disability leadership and another in special education K-12 teaching.

The disability leadership program is for those who want educational leadership roles within the special educational field. The special education K-12 program is for those who already hold a teaching license. It covers competencies like behavior intervention and classroom management for students with special learning needs.

Benefits of Earning a Graduate Certificate in Special Education

There are several benefits to earning a graduate certificate in special education. The specific benefits will depend on the type of program you take, but include:

• allowing you to earn a credential or endorsement in special education so you can teach special needs students.
• developing a better understanding of different learning disabilities, special needs, and exceptionalities.
• providing learning experiences to help you better meet the learning needs of your students.
• strengthening core competencies of special education.

An additional benefit of earning a graduate certificate is that, often, you can transfer credits into a graduate degree program, such as a Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, or even a doctoral degree.

Graduate Certificate Admissions Requirements

Generally, to earn a graduate certificate, you'll need to hold a bachelor's degree. You may also need to have taken specific courses, meet the minimum GPA, or have taken the GRE.

For some programs, the eligibility requirements also include a teaching license; these programs usually lead to additional endorsements or licensure.

If you're interested in earning an online graduate certificate in special education, request info from the accredited programs featured on Learn.org. They can give you more information about their programs, including the enrollment process, start dates, and admissions requirements.