Special Education Certifications
Cathleen G. Spinelli, Ph.D., Chair, Special Education Department
Barbelin 273, 610- 660-3164, cathleen.spinelli@sju.edu
The Special Education Department offers several certification options. Details regarding each Special Education certification can be obtained by contacting Dr. Cathleen Spinelli at 610-660-3164.
The Master’s in Education degree program is designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree and a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I certification or are working towards a Pennsylvania Instructional I Early Childhood, Elementary, or Reading Specialist certification at Saint Joseph’s University.
This graduate program provides the student with extensive preparation for working with special needs students in the classroom. The program has a dual focus, the preparation of special education teachers and the development of master teachers remaining in the regular education classroom. The required courses are determined during the initial advising conference. Students are required to complete at least 36 graduate credit hours.
Prerequisites
Students applying for Special Education certification must have a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certification. In the event that Pennsylvania Instructional I has not yet been acquired, the student must be in the process of obtaining an Early Childhood, Elementary and/or Secondary or Reading Specialist Certification. A Master’s degree in Special Education is available with 3additional courses (electives); the various suggested tracks are listed below.
Certification Requirements
- 3.0 GPA
- Pass PRAXIS Test 0354: Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (www.ets.org/praxis)
Special Education Courses for Certification (On Campus)
Required Courses
SPE 550 (4805) |
Foundations of Special Education |
SPE 602 (4815) |
Diagnostic Assessment and Progress Monitoring |
SPE 603 (4825) |
Theory and Instructional Practice: Students with High Incidence Disabilities |
SPE 606 (5165) |
Theory and Instructional Practice: Student with Emotional/Social and Behavior Disorders |
SPE 607 (4885) |
Theory and Instructional Practice: Students with Low Incidence Disabilities |
SPE 611 (4855) |
Special Education Lab and Seminar |
Special Education Clinical Practicum/Seminar Part 1 (3 credits)* |
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Special Education Clinical Practicum/Seminar Part 1l (3 credits)* |
* required for Teacher-Scholar Program - ONLY
*The current Pennsylvania Special Education N-12 certifications will not be issued after August 31, 2013. Candidates must complete all of the requirements and an application must be received and date stamped by the Pennsylvania Department of Education before the deadline. Candidates need to complete and send their application to our Certification Office by June 15, 2013 to allow enough time for processing. Please be advised that if candidates do not complete their program and submit their certification application according to the timetable above, they will have to meet additional requirements in order to apply for the new Special Education PreK-8 or Special Education 7-12 certificates which will be issued beginning September 1, 2013. The new certification requirements (post Sept. 2013) are listed in the Online Program (see below).
Special Education Courses for Certification (On Line Program)
The Special Education Online Program is an online, campus-free program which can lead to Pennsylvania Special Education teacher certification as well as to an MS in Special Education. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, have an initial teaching certification.
Required Courses
SPE 600 (5105) |
Current Issues in Special Education: Theoretical Practice and Procedures |
SPE 602 (5125) |
Diagnostic Assessment and Progress Monitoring |
SPE 603 (5135) |
Theory and Instructional Practice: Students with High Incidence Disabilities |
SPE 604 (5145) |
Research-Based Models and Procedures: Literature, Written and Oral Language and Reading Content Areas |
SPE 605 (5155) |
Research-Based Models and Procedures: Mathematics and Science Procedures |
SPE 606 (5165) |
Theory and Instructional Practice: Students with Emotional/Social and Behavioral Disorders |
SPE 607 (5175) |
Theory and Instructional Practice: Students with Low Incidence Disabilities |
SPE 608 (5185) |
Families, Schools, and Communities: Communication and Collaboration |
SPE 612 |
Inclusive Classroom Practices |
Special Education (Prescribed Elective) Tracks
Wilson Reading Program Certification (10 credits) – Online
SPE 710 (5225) |
WRP: Introduction to Multisensory Structured Language Instruction (1 credit) |
SPE 711 (5235) |
WRP: Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader Steps 1-3 |
SPE 712 (5245) |
WRP: Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader Steps 4-6 |
SPE 713 (5255) |
WRP: Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader Practicum |
Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist Endorsement (12 credits) - Online
Introduction to ASD: Overview of Causality, Diagnosis and Advocacy |
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Socialization Strategies |
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Evidence-Based Practices: Assessment, Intervention, and Instructional |
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Autism: Behavior Management Approaches |
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (21 to 27 credits) - Online
Prerequisite Requirements (6 credits)
SPE 600 (5105) |
Current Issues in Special Education: Theoretical Practice and Procedures |
SPE 608 (4305) |
Families, Schools, and Communities: Communication and Collaboration |
Required Courses for Pennsylvania Certification (21 credits)
Educational Foundations for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
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Language, Literacy and Communication Development for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
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Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Environments for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
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Listening and Speaking Skills for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
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Sign Communication in Instructional Settings |
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Student Teaching and Professional Seminar (6 credits) |
Advanced Special Education Courses (9 credits) - Online
SPE 700 (5195/4915) |
Special Education School Law and Policy |
Cognitive Processes: Research-Based Brain Studies for the Educator |
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Culturally Responsive Teaching |