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Special Education Program
Attn: Frank Gallagher
The Pennsylvania State University
125 Cedar Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6643
Email: feg10@psu.edu
Getting Help
Our admission counselors are available to discuss with you your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.
Students entering the program must have at least three years professional experience in special education. A minimum of five years' professional school experience in a special education area is required for Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certification.
All applicants must have a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate in one or more areas of special education (speech pathology, mentally and physically handicapped, visual impairment, or hearing impairment).
Applicants outside of Pennsylvania may be able to apply the program to supervisory certification in their home states. Interested educators should check with their respective state department of education prior to applying. Out-of-state applicants should contact Dr. James McAfee, the program academic adviser, for further information.
Prerequisites
For your application to be considered complete, mail the following to the address below:
- Statement of purpose
- Two official transcripts for academic work leading to a baccalaureate degree and any postbaccalaureate and graduate level credits
- Copy of a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate in any area of special education, or one granted on the basis of reciprocity with another state
- One letter of recommendation form completed by a current or past supervisor
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Verification of Experience Form
- Signed copy of Special Education Supervisory Program for PDE Certification Checklist
- Verification of three years of certified professional experience required to enter the program. Mail completed Affidavit of Experience form with application materials.
- Note: PDE supervisory certification requires five years of professional experience; though students need only three years experience to enter the program, they will need to have additional experience totaling five years to apply for certification from PDE.
All application and supporting materials should be completed a minimum of six weeks prior to your intended start date.
Application materials and application process questions can be directed to:
Special Education Program
Attn: Frank Gallagher
The Pennsylvania State University
125 Cedar Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6643
Email: feg10@psu.edu
Academic questions, such as course waivers, sequence, internship requirements, etc., should be directed to:
Dr. James McAfee at jqm@psu.edu.
When all materials have been received, we will notify you about your status and provide guidance about the next steps in becoming a Penn State student.
If you have any other questions, please send an email to pennstateonline@psu.edu or call 800-252-3592 (toll free within the United States) or 814-865-5403 (local and international).
How to Apply
Read the admissions page carefully as each program has unique requirements.
Begin the graduate school application.
- On the "Admissions and Program Information Portal" page, choose Apply Now.
- Select "Degree Admission" for "Level I Teacher/Administrative Certification for PA Educators"
- When you get to the "Campus, Major, Degree, & Semester" page:
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus.
- Choose "SPECIAL EDUCATION" as the major.
- Choose "Pennsylvania Educators Level I Certification" as the degree.
Check Status
Use these options for applications already in progress or to check the status of an application previously submitted.
