Delivery
Online
The UNC Charlotte Graduate Certificate in Special Education (K-12) with a Concentration in Adapted Curriculum is Phase I of your pathway to becoming an exceptional educator for students with moderate to severe disabilities, including autism and multiple disabilities. This 21-credit-hour graduate-level program is meticulously designed to fulfill the initial teaching license requirements set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (Standard Professional I).
Fully Accredited: Meets the requirements for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Standard Professional I initial teaching license.
Specialized Curriculum: Tailored for those looking to make a significant impact on the lives of students with moderate to severe disabilities, autism, and/or multiple disabilities.
Flexible Online Learning: Designed with working professionals in mind, the program offers 100% online coursework with required Zoom meetings for most courses.
This certificate is ideal for:
Upon completing the Graduate Certificate (Phase I), students have the opportunity to advance their education and career:
Master of Arts in Teaching (Phase II): A continuation of your Graduate Certificate studies that will help you qualify for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Educator’s License in Special Education.
Comprehensive Skill Development: Continue into Phase II to refine teaching skills, conduct research, and enhance leadership abilities through advanced classroom management, consultation, collaboration, and individual master’s projects.
Required Courses for Adapted (21 credit hours)
Note about course delivery: Courses are delivered online both synchronously and asynchronously.
Internship Information
A year-long internship (YLI) is required for Graduate Certificate students. The YLI consists of two semesters (Fall/Spring). A semester of internship experiences in the fall semester is followed by a full-time student-teaching experience in the spring semester. Graduate-level student teaching is the culminating experience of the Graduate Certificate program and offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the North Carolina Initial Professional License (IPL) in Special Education. During student teaching, students are supervised by their Clinical Educator and University Supervisor. Students are assigned to an appropriate classroom for the YLI.
The YLI can be completed in a student’s place of employment if the setting is determined by Office of School and Community Partnerships (OSCP) to be appropriate. OSCP can also find a placement for the student if needed. The Program Director will invite students to begin the application process in January before the YLI begins in the fall. During the application period (late January to early February before the YLI starts in the fall), residency teachers and teacher assistants will work with OSCP to determine the appropriateness of their classroom for the YLI experiences and licensure requirements.
Note about the Graduate Certificate in Teaching
UNC Charlotte’s Graduate Certificate in Teaching – Special Education offers an efficient pathway to initial teacher licensure for candidates who have already earned a bachelor’s degree; the program also meets the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) enrollment requirement for candidates seeking Residency Licensure. Course instruction is delivered 100% online using Canvas; most courses require weekly class meetings in Zoom. Clinical experiences must be completed in North Carolina public schools. Please contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure at 704-687-8725 with questions.
Applicants can apply via the UNC Charlotte Graduate Admissions website.
UNC Charlotte alumni who graduated in areas related to Special Education (K-12) are employed in positions such as:
UNC Charlotte alumni in Special Education (K-12) programs also work for these school systems and educational organizations:
Expert Faculty: Learn from educators with extensive experience in special education.
Career Advancement: Gain the qualifications needed to excel in special education roles across various educational settings.
Community and Support: Join a network of professionals dedicated to making a difference in the field of special education.
Resident: $288.82 per credit hour
Outside of NC Non-Resident: $536.98 per credit hour
Non Resident: $1,098.21 per credit hour
Please note: Rates are subject to change.
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.