Special education director smiling with student in classroom setting

Special Education Director Certificate Online

Arkansas State University's online Special Education Director Certificate is an 18-credit-hour, CAEP-accredited program completed in 12 months through accelerated online courses (7 weeks in fall and spring, 5 weeks in summer). Built for educators who already hold a master's degree and want Arkansas's Curriculum/Program Administrator license: Special Education Director — without completing another full degree — it prepares graduates to direct special education programs at the campus or district level.

Next Apply Date: 9/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 10/12/26
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 9/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 10/12/26

Program Overview

What does A-State's online Special Education Director Certificate offer?

This certificate program is designed for Arkansas credentialed educators as well as credentialed educators in other states who seek to acquire a Curriculum Program Administrator license: Special Education Director. The program builds on previous degrees through our curriculum-intense courses and is designed to provide an accelerated, affordable route to obtaining an additional licensure.

For state program approvals, please refer to our State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

In this program you will:

  • Prepare and plan for school leadership and the implementation of curriculum specific to special education students
  • Learn to apply knowledge and skillsets obtained in special education courses in the real world
  • Focus on ethical and professional leadership and behavior; administration and supervision of special education; school and community relations; and legal aspects of special education
  • Utilize an internship in an educational leadership setting
In this program you will:+
  • Prepare and plan for school leadership and the implementation of curriculum specific to special education students
  • Learn to apply knowledge and skillsets obtained in special education courses in the real world
  • Focus on ethical and professional leadership and behavior; administration and supervision of special education; school and community relations; and legal aspects of special education
  • Utilize an internship in an educational leadership setting

Career roles this program prepares you for:

  • Special Education Director
  • District Special Education Coordinator
  • Special Education Program Administrator
  • Compliance & IEP Oversight Specialist
Career roles this program prepares you for:+
  • Special Education Director
  • District Special Education Coordinator
  • Special Education Program Administrator
  • Compliance & IEP Oversight Specialist
+

Additional Documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Watermark – Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).

Additional Documents+

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Watermark – Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).

Also available:

This certificate is one of several paths into special education leadership. If you're weighing your options, explore the related programs below:

Total Tuition: $6,300
Program Duration: 12 months
Credit Hours 18

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

Our Special Ed Director Certificate online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Please note, certificate programs are not financial aid eligible.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $6,300

Calendar

Milestones to guide your student journey

Our Special Ed Director Certificate online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note that the internship course lasts a full semester and only starts in Fall 1 and Spring 1 of terms.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 18/19/268/5/268/5/268/17/268/17/2610/2/26
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/273/4/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 9/28/26
Start Class 10/12/26

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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Admissions

Read the details of our admission criteria

Students interested in this certificate program must have one year of teaching experience. Review the full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Master’s degree
  • 1 year of teaching experience
View all admission requirements +

  • An education-related master's degree from an accredited institution
  • One year of teaching experience
  • Commitment from an appropriate professional who will function as your mentor during the degree program. View acceptable mentors (PDF).
  • Teaching Certificate in Special Education

For further information concerning admissions, contact A-State Online Services at 866-881-3168, or email the Graduate Admission Coordinator.

If you have questions during that time, you can use our Self Service feature, which allows you to see when transcripts and teaching certificates reach our offices. When you receive your decision letter, it will provide instructions for enrolling yourself into the program and downloading the necessary software. If you have questions during this process, please call us at 866-621-8096.

Arkansas State University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In order to view detailed job placement and completion information on the programs offered by Arkansas State University, please visit www.state.tn.us/thec and click on the Authorized Institutions Data button.

Additional information:

While not required for admission, Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Credentials will be required prior to registering for your first course.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467

Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:

A-State Online
c/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401

A-State is Nationally Recognized

A-State is ranked among the "Best National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report (2026)

Courses

Read about our Special Education Director Certificate online courses

Students in the Special Ed Director Certificate online program must complete the following six courses (18 credit hours).

You can view your schedule of courses for this certificate through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide an in-depth study of and an exploration into the administrative processes of special education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of legal aspects of special education with emphasis given to the following six principals of special education law: (1) zero project, (2) nondiscriminatory classification, (3) individualized and appropriate education, (4) least restrictive placement, (5) due process, and (6) parent participation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Presents perspectives, skills, and processes necessary for administrators to manage district and building level curriculum and to formalize the curriculum decision-making process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Combines attributes of supervising teaching with the formal aspects of teacher evaluation via emphasis on adult development, clinical supervision, and evaluation processes and models extant in public schools.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on authentic problems and clinical activities that require candidates to demonstrate leadership skills and practices integral to school leadership. The internship must be completed during the semester in which a candidate completes the degree. Must be last class taken and taken by itself.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Development of leadership skills in information technology, including analyzing the role of technology as a catalyst for change. Special emphasis on identification and evaluation of implementing new technologies in instructional environments. Educational Theory and Practice majors

Built for Arkansas Educators

Arkansas State University's Special Education Director Certificate is designed for Arkansas educators (as well as credentialed educators in other states) who already hold a master's degree and one year of teaching experience, and want the Curriculum/Program Administrator (SPED) license without completing another full degree. The 18-credit-hour program is completed entirely online in 12 months, with an embedded internship you can complete while continuing to work. For state authorization and Arkansas-specific licensure approval details, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

FAQ

Special Education Director Certificate Online FAQs

Intro copy

This certificate prepares master's-degree holders for the special education director role through coursework in administration, supervision, legal and ethical issues, curriculum management and a supervised internship without requiring a new degree.
Choose this certificate if you already hold a master's degree and want the director credential as quickly and affordably as possible (18 credit hours, 12 months, no new degree). Choose A-State's Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Special Education Director instead if you want the credential folded into a full terminal degree.

Request Information

Submit the form below, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

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for help with any questions you have.