Areas of Specialization

Required courses for the professional development certificate include:

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ED 603 – Personality Development and Self-Esteem (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ED 631 – Psychological and Social Characteristics of At-Promise and Diverse Learners (3 credits)

ED 632 – Psychological and Social Characteristics of the Resilient Learner (2 credits)

ED 633 – Methods of Teaching At-Promise and Diverse Learners (3 credits)

ED 634A – Special Project Seminar on At-Promise and Diverse Learners (1 credit)

ED 639 – Psychological and Linguistic Foundations of Reading (3 credits)

ED 646 – School Law (3 credits)

Required courses for the professional development certificate include:

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ED 603 – Personality Development and Self-Esteem (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ED 615 – Athletic Administration/Leadership (3 credits)

ED 616 – Sports Psychology (2 credits)

ED 617 – Coaching Seminar (2 credits)

ED 618I – Athletic Administration/Coaching Internship (2 credits)

ED 619 – Diversity Issues in Athletics (3 credits)

ED 646 – School Law (3 credits)

Required courses for the professional development certificate include:

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ED 620A – Teaching Students to Write Using Multiple Strategies: Composing (3 credits)

ED 620B – Teaching Students to Write Using Multiple Strategies: Issues of Correctness (3 credits)

ED 626–Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties (3 credits)

ED 628 – Teaching Reading Through Text (3 credits)

ED 639 – Psychological and Linguistic Foundations of Reading (3 credits)

ED 678 – Choosing Diverse Materials for Improving Content Learning (2 credits)

ED 679 – Special Project Seminar on Literacy Strategies (1 credit)

ED 697 – Reading Strategies for Content Learning (3 credits)

 Required courses for the professional development certificate include: 

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ED 625 – Strategies and Resources in Teaching Reading (3 credits)

ED 626 – Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties (3 credits)

ED 629R – Reading Assessment and Evaluation (3 credits)

ED 635 – Reading and Literacy Leadership (3 credits)

ED 637 - Practicum in Reading Diagnosis and Instruction (3 credits)

ED 639 – Psychological and Linguistic Foundations of Reading (3 credits)

ED 697 – Reading Strategies for Content Learning (3 credits)

Required Elective

(3 credits, course selection based on MSDE special education prerequisite status)

ED 686 – Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)

ED 658EB – Teaching Reading and Writing for English Learners (3 credits)

Additional Admissions Requirements

• Meets the licensure requirements for early childhood education, elementary education, special education, or a secondary education* area
• Has completed 2 years of effective teaching performance 

(*Candidates who meet the requirements for a teaching license in secondary education must also demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction by submitting a passing score on the Praxis 5205 Teaching Reading Elementary assessment prior to beginning the practicum.)

 Required courses for the professional development certificate include:

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ED 646 – School Law (3 credits)

ED 653 – Supervision for Effective Instruction (3 credits)

ED 671 – School Improvement Leadership: A Theoretical Perspective (3 credits)

ED 672 – Assessing Needs and Evaluating Progress (3 credits)

ED 673 – School Improvement Leadership: Facilitating a Positive School Culture (3 credits)

ED 674A – Special Project Seminar/Practicum in School Improvement Leadership (1.5 credits)

ED 674B – Special Project Seminar/Practicum in School Improvement Leadership (1.5 credits)

Required Elective

(3 credits, course selection based on MSDE special education prerequisite status)

ED 686 – Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)

ED 681 – Curriculum for a Multicultural Society (3 credits)

Additional Admissions Requirements

• Holds an active professional license as a teacher or as a certified specialist
• Has completed 18 months of of effective teaching performance 

 Required courses for the professional development certification include:

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ED 688 – Educational Assessment and Diagnosis of Students with Special Needs I

ED 690 – Curriculum Design and Adaptations for Students with Special Needs I

ED 691 – Curriculum Design and Adaptations for Students with Special Needs II

ED 698A – Special Project Seminar for Special Education (1 credit)

Required Elective Choices

(3 credits needed)

ED 601 – Theories of Development: A Lifespan Perspective (3 credits) 

ED 602 – Social and Psychological Forces Affecting Youth (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ED 681 – Curriculum for a Multicultural Society (3 credits)

Required Special Education Electives Choices

(9 credits needed)

ED 608PB – Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Inclusive Practices (3 credits) 

ED 638A – Reading Intervention Strategies: Word Identification (1.5 credits)

ED 644TK – Assistive Technology (3 credits)

ED 647 – Remedial Reading Techniques for Students with Severe Reading Difficulties (1.5 credits)

ED 689 – Educational Assessment and Diagnosis of Students with Special Needs II (3 credits)

Additional Admissions Requirements

• MSDE licensure in early childhood education, elementary education or secondary education in a content area required prior to beginning this certificate.

(In addition to completing the coursework, candidates must submit passing Praxis assessment scores for Special Education Content 5355 and Praxis TRE 5205 prior to beginning the practicum.)