We offer a large selection of professional certifications and teacher endorsements within special education.

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Varies based on program (see courses tab below)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: Does Not Admit
  • Spring: Does Not Admit
  • Summer: March 1

Special Education Endorsements

Learning Sciences

Email: DLSRecruitment@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-8040

The Department of Learning Sciences offers several endorsements for advanced study in specific areas within special education for currently certified teachers or teacher candidates currently enrolled in a teacher certification program.

Endorsements add to the body of knowledge that special education teachers possess and are offered as a supplement to teacher certification, rather than a replacement. Teacher candidates seeking initial certification in special education should pursue the M.A.T. in special education.

Our special education endorsements include:

Special Education Autism Endorsement

This endorsement provides general and special education teachers with advanced knowledge in teaching students with autism. This endorsement does not replace the requirement of holding either a special education general curriculum or special education adapted curriculum certificate.

Special Education Physical and Health Disabilities Endorsement

This endorsement prepares teachers to provide instruction or instructional support to preschool through 12th grade students who have physical or health-related disabilities and are served under the eligibility of orthopedic impairment. To be eligible for the endorsement, individuals must hold a level four (4) or higher renewable professional certificate or be concurrently enrolled in a special education teacher certification program at Georgia State.

Special Education Preschool Endorsement

This endorsement provides special education teachers with advanced knowledge in teaching preschool-aged learners with disabilities. To be eligible for the endorsement, individuals must hold a level four (4) or higher renewable professional certificate or be concurrently enrolled in a special education teacher certification program at Georgia State.

Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement – Online

This endorsement provides general and special education teachers along with other school-based practitioners with advanced study in dyslexia and other reading disabilities. The endorsement provides foundational reading skills and theories, and provides educators with deep and broad knowledge of instruction and assessment related to reading and writing with an emphasis on dyslexia and other reading disabilities.

This endorsement is offered as a fully online endorsement for students enrolled in the dyslexia and other reading disabilities endorsement (who are not also seeking teacher certification or a higher degree).

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Endorsement – Online

This endorsement provides general and special education teachers along with other school-based practitioners with advanced study in positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS). This provides foundational skills in PBIS theories, and provides educators with deep and broad knowledge of content, pedagogy, assessment and implementation strategies related to positive behavior intervention and supports. Candidates will apply course assignments in field-based settings, but this endorsement does not lead to certification.

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

Special Education Autism Endorsement

Application Deadline:

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Autism Education Endorsement, Non-Degree program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application)
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Proof that you meet certification requirements in Georgia
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration
    • submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Special Education Physical and Health Disabilities Endorsement

Application Deadline

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Special Education Physical and Health Disabilities Endorsement, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application -include motivation for pursing an endorsement in Physical and Health Disabilities
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Proof of teaching certificate or license in special education
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.50 undergraduate or graduate GPA required for admission consideration
    • submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Special Education Pre-School Endorsement

In addition to full-field teacher certification preparation, Georgia State University offers preparation for state certification endorsements in some specific areas of training, service, and leadership. All such programs require acceptable teaching or appropriate school experiences and admission to the College of Education & Human Development as graduate students. Program applicants must be fully certified teachers.

Application Deadline

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Special Education – Preschool Endorsement, Non-Degree program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application). Brief statement that explains the professional and academic goals that you hope to accomplish by completing this program of study.
  • Proof that you meet certification requirements in Georgia
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration
    • submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement

Application Deadline:

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement, Non-Degree program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application — statement should outline motivation for pursuing the endorsement)
  • Proof that you have an active teacher certificate or license in Special Education (upload teaching certificate to application)
  • Official Transcript(s): minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration
    • submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Endorsement

Application Deadline:

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Endorsement, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application – applicant should outline the motivation for pursuing the endorsement)
  • Proof of Teacher Certification in Georgia (upload teaching certificate to application)
  • Official Transcript(s): minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration
    • submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302

Program of Study

Special Education Autism Education Endorsement

This endorsement prepares general and special education teachers to teach students with autism. An individual with the Autism Endorsement has strengthened and enhanced competency levels for working with students with autism. This endorsement does not replace the certification requirement of holding the appropriate special education base-field certificate for working with students with autism.

Required (12):

  • EXC 7030 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
  • EXC 7250 Characteristics of Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
  • EXC 7320 Methods of Teaching Students with Low-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
  • EXC 7325 Methods of Teaching High-Functioning students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)

Total hours for endorsement: minimum of 12 semester hours

Catalog listing

Special Education Physical and Health Disabilities Endorsement

The physical and health disabilities endorsement focuses on advanced knowledge and training needed to work with students who have physical and/or health disabilities. The physical and health disabilities endorsement is required to be considered in-field in the area of orthopedic impairments. Teachers must complete an endorsement or certification program in order to work with students who are eligible for special education services under the orthopedic impairment category.

Coursework

Required (12)

EXC 7260 Characteristics of Severe and Multiple Disabilities

EXC 7281 Assessment and Curriculum Planning: Adapted Curriculum

EXC 7300 Assistive Technology: Reading and Academics

EXC 7330 Physical and Health Management of Students with Severe Disabilities

Special Education Pre-School Endorsement

All coursework for the Preschool Special Education endorsement must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher.

Nine semester hours of coursework are required for endorsement in preschool special education for professionals holding teacher certification in early childhood education, special education or speech language pathology. Completion of the coursework requirements below, as designated, qualifies the students for endorsement in preschool handicapped education.

Required (6):

  • EXC 7650 Characteristics of Young Children with Disabilities (3)
  • EXC 7660 Methods of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities (3)

Select one (3):

  • CSD 4320 Introduction to Language Disorders (3)
  • EXC 7010 Language Development and Language Disabilities (3)

Total hours for endorsement: minimum of 9 semester hours

Special Education (adapted curriculum, deaf education, early childhood special education or physical & health disabilities)

Adapted Curriculum

Prerequisite Courses

  • EDRD 6600 Introduction to Materials and Methods in Reading Instruction (3)
  • EPY 2050 Human Growth and Development (3)
  • EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3)
  • EXC 4650 Opening School Experience (0)
  • EXC 7925 Practicum I: Adapted Curriculum (3)

Program Courses

  • EDRD 7650 Individualized Literacy Assessment and Instruction (3)
  • EXC 7030 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
  • EXC 7190 Alternative Approaches to Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
  • EXC 7250 Characteristics of Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
  • EXC 7280 Methods of Teaching Students with Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
  • EXC 7281 Assessment and Curriculum Planning: Adapted Curriculum (3)
  • EXC 7935 Practicum II: Adapted Curriculum (3)

Deaf Education

Prerequisites

  • EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3) or similar introduction to special education course (3)
  • EPY 2050 Human Growth and Development or equivalent (3)
  • EXC 4650 Opening School Experience (0)

Required Courses

  • CSD 6480 Hearing Science and Disorders (3)
  • EXC 7350 Psychosocial Characteristics of Deafness (3)
  • EXC 7360 Language Development in Students Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3)
  • EXC 7390 Reading and Writing Instruction for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3)
  • EXC 7400 Methods of Teaching Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3)
  • EXC 7430 Auditory and Speech Development in Students Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3)
  • EXC 7940 Practicum: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3)

Candidates must post a rating of “Intermediate” on the Signed Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) before admission to EXC 7940 Practicum.

Total hours for certification: minimum of 21 hours

Description

Careers

This program gives teachers the credentials they need to teach students with Autism.

Contacts

Program Coordinators

Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities, PBIS, Physical and Health Disabilities
Lauren Boden
lboden1@gsu.edu

Autism
Claire Donehower
cdonehower@gsu.edu

Preschool Special Education
Sarah Hansen
shansen@gsu.edu

Learning Sciences
DLSRecruitment@gsu.edu
404-413-8040

Mailing Address & Office Location
Learning Sciences
College of Education & Human Development
Suite 750
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.

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