The university is authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide certification courses and practical experiences designed to meet requirements for the Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physical Disabilities (CBPD) certificate in special education. The teaching certificate enables graduates to teach children identified as having mental retardation, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or behavior disorders in school placements from kindergarten through grade twelve.
While students may declare the major in special education and work for a single teaching certificate (CBPD), most students opt for the dual certification program. Students may declare the major in special education and work for a single teaching certificate, the comprehensive M/PH certificate. Students may declare the special education/elementary education major and study for elementary education teacher certification and special education certification. The special education/elementary education certification program includes credits beyond the minimum required for the baccalaureate degree. The Teacher Education Policy Manual describes procedures for students interested in pursuing multiple teaching certificates.
An integral component of pre-professional programs in special education is the requirement of a practicum experience for credit. Practicum is part of the Special Education Professional Semester which integrates strategy courses with a field experience in local school districts.
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