Penn State's special education supervisory certificate is a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved program. This is a graduate-level certificate and requires students to have Level II Instructional Certification in an area of special education.
The certificate is a 15-credit sequence of course work (including a 3-credit internship):
The courses will cover topics such as:
- social and institutional settings for instructional supervision: functions, activities, and practices of supervision
- evidence-based practices in management of special education programs
- an overview of reading fundamentals and foundations, including instruction using normative and curriculum-based measurement, phonics, and vocabulary development
- improving student achievement; highlighting effective instructional intervention strategies, and reading programs for use with students receiving special education services
Program Format
Penn State's special education supervisory certificate includes distance education courses that are offered via a combination of DVD and online components. Students are also required to complete an internship component (3 credits) that may be completed at the candidate's place of employment (public or private school) with approval from the student's employer and a Penn State faculty advisor. Students will be supervised by a Penn State faculty member. No travel to campus is necessary.
The courses are designed to be convenient and accessible for you as a working professional. Communication and interaction with the instructors is maintained primarily through e-mail and Web-based message boards.
