Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Post-baccalaureate Special Education PK-8 certificate


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The Program

This program design is deeply rooted in PA competencies/expected learning outcomes, and structured to build on candidate’s knowledge, professional experiences, and advanced academic study. Further, the program is designed for candidates to be able to implement methods, strategies, and research validated methods to provide increased opportunity for immediate impact on student learning and special education programming at school districts, programs that employ and consult with them.

Post-baccalaureate students are in the Graduate Education’s target market of current educators who desire evening and weekend courses with traditional, hybrid and online courses and professional experience opportunities.

Admission Requirements 

  • Candidates for the Post-baccalaureate special education prek-8 certification program must complete the following materials for consideration of acceptance.  
  • Completed application and application fee
  • Two letters of professional recommendation
  • Official transcripts with a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
    • Must include six (6) credits in mathematics, three (3) credits in English composition and three (3) credits in English literature.
  • Pennsylvania required clearances must all be current at the start of the program.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of an earned N-3, K-6, PreK-4, 4-8 K-12 or Reading Specialist certificate (copy of state issued certificate).
  • Written Philosophy of a Special Education educator.

Candidates in the Special Education PreK-8 program are required to have an Instructional I or
Instructional II certificate; therefore they have already completed student teaching requirements.

The coursework in this program is very specific to the PDE Special Education standards; therefore, for a candidate seeking special education certification, there should be very little to no duplication of coursework. However, if a candidate has previously taken special education courses that match the requirements for any of the proposed courses, consideration of transfer credit will be given on a case by case basis.

Transfer credit policy

Students may transfer up to six hours of graduate credits from another college or university. Students must submit this request in writing along with a course description and official transcript from the college or university attended. Any requests for transfer credits must be graduate level credits. Through the required application documents, candidates will be demonstrating and providing evidence of experiences leading to the application for Special Education PreK-8 certification. Review entire policy at https://www.francis.edu/Student-Consumer-Information/.

Major Paradigm of Courses

The course paradigm was developed by using the Pennsylvania Department of Education Framework for Postbaccalaureate Program Guidelines.

Course Requirements  

  • EDUC571 Foundations and Advanced Methods of Special Education
  • EDUC572 Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
  • EDUC573 Inclusive and Collaborative Teaching Methods
  • EDUC574 Positive Behavioral Support for Students with Disabilities
  • EDUC575 Successful Transitions for Students with Disabilities
  • EDUC527 Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • EDUC576 Special Education Comprehensive Seminar

Certification Requirements 

PDE Certificate - Students must have successfully completed all requirements of the program prior to completing the TIMS online application for approval. There is a fee to add this certificate to an already existing Instructional certificate; to be paid to PDE.  

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