Mentally/Physically Handicapped Certificate: Curriculum
Our program introduces you to the physical, social, emotional and educational characteristics of students with disabilities in public and private educational facilities in the K-12 grade range. The curriculum is designed to teach you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to help these students fully develop their intellectual and social capabilities.
Get a description of each of Cal U's mentally/physically handicappededucation courses from our Course Catalog.
Upon completion, program graduates undergo rigorous training in the use of evidence-based practices in meeting the needs of children/individuals with a variety of exceptionalities.
Any student who already holds a Pennsylvania teaching certificate and wants to add special education to that existing certificate will have to display competence in 8 different areas for a total of 24 graduate credits. Students will take the following:
| Course(s) | Credits |
|---|---|
| ESP 501 Intro to Exceptionality | 3 |
| ESP 701 Intro to Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ESP 502 Life Skills Planning and Instruction | 3 |
| ESP 503 Assessment and Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| ESP 504 Curriculum & Methods I: Rdg & Lang Arts | 3 |
| ESP 505 Curriculum & Methods II: MTH & Other Cont Areas | 3 |
| ESP 506 Transition Planning and Instruction | 3 |
| ESP 719 Special Education Teaching Internship | 3 |
Students who complete the 24-hour certification program must obtain a "Recommendation for Endorsement" form from Dr. Mitchem. This form must be submitted with an application and a copy of your original teaching certificate to the Dean's office in Keystone Education. There is also a fee for this process. Contact Dr. Mitchem for specifics. Once all papers are submitted, Mentally/Physically Handicapped is added to your certificate. This process takes 4-6 weeks.
Students who complete the 24-hour program may go on to take 9 more credit hours and receive a master's degree. Certainly, this extra step is encouraged. Such students must contact the graduate office to change their status from "non-degree" to "degree."
NOTE:
- After November 30, 1996, Special Education Certification requires that all candidates pass the Specialty Test of the Praxis.
- In Pennsylvania, the Specialty Test is "Education of Exceptional Students --- Core Content #20353." Be sure you take the right one. You can get information on this test in the College of Education office - Keystone 202.
- After January 2007, all students must also pass Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge #30511 in order to be considered Highly Qualified to teach special education at the elementary level.
