Special Education Alternative Certification Track

Our program offers a special education alternative certification track (SEACT) designed for students with no previous teacher certification to obtain initial teacher certification in mild to moderate disabilities, while concurrently obtaining a master’s degree. Expectations are high for candidates in the program; however, the competency based course work is highly structured with significant advisor and faculty support. The SEACT contains a blend of scheduled Zoom courses, online courses, and some in-person practicums in a school district. This program is intended for students who are teaching while completing a graduate degree.

SEACT Students participate in the Pathways for Paras Program.

Who would choose the SEACT program route to certification?

• Students who do not already have initial teacher certification. (If you already have initial teacher certification and would like a graduate degree in Special Education, please explore other graduate degree options.)
• Students who want to earn a master's degree while also earning their initial special education certification. (To complete the master's degree, students must complete coursework and comprehensive exams. Additional coursework needed for certification completion includes LTC 710, LTC 640, SPE 789, and ELE 715. Students must also take the required state certification test to complete certification.)
• Students who would like to take primarily online course work.
• Students who can apply for a provisional teaching certificate and teach as a special education teacher in a certified K-12 school for students with mild to moderate disabilities OR who have a para-educator job working in an accredited K-12 school working with students with mild to moderate disabilities. Students in the SEACT program must be working with a special education teacher who has been certified for at least 3 years.