The 27-credit hour Graduate Certificate in High Incidence Disabilities prepares teachers to assess student knowledge, identify, and implement evidence-based practices to increase the success of students with high incidence disabilities, academically as well as behaviorally.
The Graduate Certificate in High Incidence Disabilities prepares students to add a high-incidence disabilities endorsement to their existing Kansas license. Students are required to complete 21 hours of required coursework and two fieldwork practica (6 hrs.) that let one apply coursework to real-world situations, supervised by an expert faculty member. State-by-state requirements vary and it is the students’ responsibility to verify with their employer and/or home state department of education as to whether this program will meet their needs/requirements. Program completers who pass the state-required licensure exam are eligible to add a high-incidence special education endorsement to their existing Kansas license.
Students wishing to obtain a license or certification in a state or US territory other than Kansas, should first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure they can obtain a license or certification in their home state or territory. The website https://nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas.
The Department of Special Education online programs are comprised of rigorous eight week courses. A majority of the work is completed asynchronously, meaning that it does not happen “live.” Courses are typically eight weeks long (2 courses per a traditional semester) and typically contain multiple milestones throughout the course. Students are expected to follow the course modules in order, submit assignments on time, and participate in online discussions with classmates. Potential students must ensure that they are prepared to be successful. Online coursework will require approximately 15- 20 hours of undivided attention per week (including readings, online discussions, individual projects, etc.). Consistent access to high speed internet services (basic broadband- 1Mbps) and a personal computer that features Office 2016 or equivalent will be necessary. A tablet or mobile device (i.e., smartphone) will not be sufficient as the primary means of accessing the Internet for the online coursework.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements.
Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program. Other factors considered by the committee include: strength of the letter of application; strength of the letters of recommendation; quality of previous experience and background in special education or a closely related discipline; availability of an appropriate advisor in the applicant's identified area of emphasis; and the fit between the applicant's professional and graduate program goals and the purpose and mission of the KU.
Application checklist:
- Online Application*
- Official transcript of completed bachelor’s degree from accredited university
- Letter of introduction stating your area of interest and licensure status as applicable
- Name, email and position for two professional references
- Current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of English proficiency (for non-native English-speaking applicants)
Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English proficiency in the skill areas of reading, writing, and listening. Please read the full policy and acceptable proof of proficiency options on our policy page. Additional information can be found here.
*Students that are admitted and currently active (not graduated) in a special education master’s program may add a certificate program to their student record without completing the online application, subject to current faculty advisor and graduate certificate program coordinator approval. Please contact your advisor for more information.
The 27 credit hours required for the on-line Graduate Certificate in High-Incidence Disabilities program include:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SPED 730 | Characteristcs, Methods & Assessment:Intro Struggling Learners & Studnts High-Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 741 | Methods & Assessment:Literacy Interventions Struggling Learners&Students High-Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 743 | Methods: Functional Behavioral Assessment, Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management | 3 |
| SPED 841 | Advncd Methds&Asmnt:Learng Stratg&Contnt Mastery Struggling Learners&Stdnts High-Incidence Disabilit | 3 |
| SPED 843 | Advanced Methods&Assessment:Strategies for Students with Significant Behavior, Social&Emotional Need | 3 |
| SPED 854 | Family and Interprofessional Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 856 | Transition Education and Services from Childhood through Adulthood | 3 |
| SPED 775 | Practicum with Children and Youth with Disabilities: _____ | 3 |
| SPED 875 | Practicum with Children and Youth with Disabilities: _____ | 3 |
| 27 |
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is required to remain in good academic standing and in order to graduate. Additional information can be found in the graduate regulations section of the catalog.
