Designed to be completed in as little as one year, the online Graduate Certificate in Transition provides graduates with knowledge in evidence-based practices to improve the post-secondary outcomes of youth with disabilities.
This program WILL NOT lead to any initial teacher licensure/certification or endorsement for the state of KS. State-by-state requirements vary. Completion of a graduate certificate is not a guarantee of licensure or endorsement of any kind. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure and endorsement requirements in their state and to apply for the licenses or endorsements necessary for their career goals.
This Department of Special Education online program is comprised of rigorous eight week courses for a total of 15 credit hours (5 courses). A majority of the work is completed asynchronously, meaning that it does not happen “live.” Courses are eight weeks long (2 courses per a typical 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.).
Students need to have 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 a primary means of accessing the Internet for the online coursework.
In order to be admitted to the online graduate certificate, a bachelor’s degree is required. 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
- 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 15 hours required for the Transition Certificate are listed below.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| SPED 859 | Interagency Services for Transition to Adulthood | 3 |
| SPED 858 | Assessment for Transition Planning | 3 |
| SPED 857 | Career Development for Youth | 3 |
| SPED 856 | Transition Education and Services from Childhood through Adulthood | 3 |
| SPED 862 | Work-Based Learning | 3 |
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.
