Special Education Add-On Endorsement

Enhance Lives. Make a Difference.

College of Graduate & Professional Studies

 

Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
SPED Add-On Endorsement Coordinator

spedendorsement@longwood.edu
434.414.6082

Our Format

1 Year | 3 Semesters | 15 credits

  • $280 per credit (in state)
  • $355 per credit (out of state)

Special Education Add-On Endorsement – Elementary Track:

  • $4,200 (in state)
  • $5,325 (out of state)
  • You must hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in Elementary Education (early/primary education PreK-3 / elementary education PreK-6).

Special Education Add-On Endorsement – Secondary Track:

  • $4,200 (in state)
  • $5,325 (out of state)
  • You must hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics.

If you have a K-12 license in general education, contact us at spedendorsement@longwood.edu.

What will you gain?

  • Knowledge of disabilities (definitions and characteristics)
  • Strategies for addressing specific deficits
  • Targeted reading strategies
  • Targeted math strategies
  • Knowledge of IEP components
  • Knowledge of progress monitoring and assessment

Special Education Add-On Endorsement - 100% Online

Are you a licensed K-12 teacher in Virginia looking for a pathway into special education? 

 

Acquire the skills and expertise necessary to teach and support students with diverse learning needs through Longwood University’s online special education add-on endorsement.

 

Teachers holding an official bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a valid Virginia professional teaching license (or an equivalent from another state) are eligible to earn this endorsement through the Virginia Department of Education upon successful completion of a five-course series.

 

In addition to the coursework, the VDOE requirements state that in lieu of a practicum, one year successful full-time teaching experience with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted provided the teacher is assigned a mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in special education.

Downloadable Flyer (PDF)

Our Format

1 Year | 3 Semesters | 15 credits

  • $280 per credit (in state)
  • $355 per credit (out of state)

 

Special Education Add-On Endorsement – Elementary Track:

  • $4,200 (in state)
  • $5,325 (out of state)
  • You must have an elementary (K6) teaching license to apply

 

Special Education Add-On Endorsement – Secondary Track:

  • $4,200 (in state)
  • $5,325 (out of state)
  • You must have a secondary (6-12) teaching license coordinating with your general education teaching license to apply

 

If you have a K-12 license in general education, contact us at spedendorsement@longwood.edu.

About the Endorsement

Following VDOE regulations, candidates holding valid licensure in elementary, middle, or secondary education may add the following corresponding endorsement:

  • Elementary: Special Education – General Curriculum K-6
  • Middle grades: Special Education – General Curriculum Middle Grades 6-8
  • Secondary: Special Education – General Curriculum Secondary Grades 6-12

 

The endorsement provides teachers confidence in their abilities to:

  • Describe characteristics of different disability categories
  • Identify strategies appropriate for different disabilities
  • Create and deliver effective reading lessons
  • Create and deliver effective math lessons
  • Evaluate students with formal and informal assessments
  • Understand and write an IEP

Course Sequence

We have added a special session of IEP Writing and Implementation (PSPE 577) this summer, starting May 13th and ending July 8th, 2023.

Can be taken at the beginning or end of the coursework.
An introduction to all exceptionalities included in special education, psychology of exceptional learners. Implications of inclusion and legislation pertaining to the education of students with disabilities. 3 credits.

First eight weeks of fall semester.
This course is designed to introduce students to general instructional strategies appropriate for students with disabilities, including explicit instruction, direct instruction, universal design for learning, and high-leverage practices, that can be used across literacy. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based practices to teach literacy (oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics–decoding & encoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and writing). 3 credits.

Second eight weeks of fall semester.
This course is designed to introduce students to general instructional strategies appropriate for students with disabilities, including explicit instruction, direct instruction, universal design for learning, and high-leverage practices, that can be used across mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based practices to teach mathematics (process versus content standards, schema instructions, benefits of manipulatives, cognitive versus metacognitive strategies, formative feedback, error analysis, self-efficacy/affect, mental mathematics, mnemonics and computer assisted instruction). 3 credits.

First eight weeks of spring semester.
This course is designed to introduce students to the IEP process from development to implementation of an IEP.  Students will learn how to write each part of an IEP and which components are required in each portion.  Emphasis will be placed on how to implement an IEP in the classroom and how to monitor student progress to ensure goals are being met.  In addition, this course will include content on collaborating with the IEP team throughout the process of IEP development and implementation. 3 credits.

Second eight weeks of spring semester.
This course is designed to introduce students to the assessment process in special education by addressing procedural safeguards, data collection via informal and formal procedures, issues in assessment, psychometric properties of standardized tests, and administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected instruments.  Students will learn formal (standardized) methods of assessment, as well as informal methods, such as curriculum-based measurement.  Students will learn how to score and interpret data, as well as design instruction based on results of assessment. 3 credits.

Second eight weeks of spring semester.
This course is designed to introduce students to transition planning and to provide an overview of transition assessments, services, and community supports.  Students will learn how to write a transition plan and how to include opportunities to build skills in the classroom.  In addition, students will be given an opportunity to learn about vocational, social, leisure, and recreational activities, as well as other supports that might be needed for transition. 3 credits.

AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

The courses are offered fully online, at our affordable, discounted rate of $280 per credit hour in-state, or $355 per credit hour out-of-state.

rates effective 2022
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