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Special Needs Certificate

Program Description

The program is entirely customized with examples, strategies, and assignments for any teacher to gain and sharpen instructional skills for special education students. The courses that make up the program curriculum are designed to prepare and strengthen the teacher by providing the most current research-based and proven educational strategies and knowledge for meeting special education needs. The curriculum encompasses learning theory, educational foundations, brain theory, best practices, curriculum development, standards, and assessment.

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    Program Prerequisites and Requirements

    1 Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The degree must be verified on an original transcript duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the awarding institution directly to Acacia University. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. Applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions may be required to have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency.
    2 English language competency – Applicants whose first language is not English and do not have a bachelor’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
    • 60 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 71 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
    • 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
    • 50 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
    • 100 on the Duolingo English Test
    • 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
    • 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
    • A minimum score on the College Board Accuplacer ESL Exam Series as follows:
      • ESL Language Use: Score of 85
      • ESL Reading: Score of 85
      • ESL Sentence Meaning: Score of 90
      • ESL Writeplacer: Score of 4
      • Comprehensive Score for all exams of 350
    • A minimum grade of Pre-1 on the Eiken English Proficiency Exam;
    • A minimum B-2 English proficiency level identified within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standards and assessed through various ESOL examinations, including the University of Cambridge.
    3 For degrees in Education, applicants must demonstrate access to classrooms – confirmation of classroom and connectivity attestation through either a signed form https://www.acacia.edu/required-classroom-and-connectivity-attestation.pdf or declared via the Classroom and Connectivity Access Attestation section in the website admission form.
    4 Ongoing access to computer technology – All Acacia University courses are presented online so each applicant must have a computer and internet access to participate.

    Program Learning Outcomes

    Develop and implement an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

    Develop meaningful accommodations to maximize access to curriculum

    Understand and apply modifications to content, methods, and pacing of curriculum

    Design and implement developmentally appropriate strategies that foster, nurture, and develop skills in students that are within, and outside of, the normal range of child development

    Design and implement strategies to meet the special educational needs of students in the resource classroom

    COURSE NUMBER COURSE TITLE
    EDC550 Child and Adolescent Development
    EDC570 Special Needs Students
    EDC578 English Language Learners with Special Needs
    Tuition

    Total Fee: $1250

    Total Credits: 9 Credit Hours

    Who Should Enroll

    The Special Needs Certificate program is designed for graduate level educators who are presently teachers or administrators in a school setting or have regular weekly access to a school and classrooms.

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