Program Overview
Why Consider the Online Special Education K-12 Certificate
This program is designed for Arkansas educators who seek to acquire an Arkansas K-12 Special Education Teaching License. The program builds on previous degrees through our curriculum-intense courses and is designed to provide an accelerated, affordable route to obtaining licensure.



As licensure requirements may change without notice, it is the responsibility of the student to confirm the requirements for licensure in his/her state as it applies to the participation in an out-of-state degree program.
Also available:
A-State is Ranked #25
In their Best Colleges Rankings for 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranks A-State #25 for "Top Public Schools, Regional Universities (South)."
Tuition
Affordable Tuition—Only $340 Per Credit Hour
Our Special Education K-12 Certificate online program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.


Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$300.00 | $40.00 | $340.00 | $900.00 | $120.00 | $1020.00 |
Calendar
Important Dates You Need to Know
Our Special Education K-12 Certificate online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer 2023 | 5 wk | 05/30/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 05/15/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/25/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 06/19/2023 |
5 wk | 07/03/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/29/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/21/2023 | |
Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
7 wk | 10/16/2023 | 12/08/2023 | 10/02/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 10/12/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 11/17/2023 | |
Spring 2024 | 7 wk | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 12/15/2023 | 12/19/2023 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
7 wk | 03/04/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 02/19/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/01/2024 | 04/05/2024 | |
Summer 2024 | 5 wk | 05/28/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 05/14/2024 | 05/17/2024 | 05/23/2024 | 05/24/2024 | 06/14/2024 |
5 wk | 07/02/2024 | 08/01/2024 | 06/18/2024 | 06/21/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 06/28/2024 | 07/26/2024 |
Admissions
Find Your Fit for Our Online Special Education Certificate Program
Students interested in the Special Education K-12 Certificate online program should review the full admission requirements below.
- Have a Baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.75 on a 4.00 scale from an accredited institution
- A valid teaching certificate with one year of teaching experience.
- A written commitment from an educator who will function as your mentor during the degree program.
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 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 admissions, Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Credentials will be required prior to registering for your first course.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
A Look at the Online Special Education Teaching Certificate Classes
Students in the Special Education K-12 Certificate online program must complete the following seven courses (21 credit hours).
ELSE 5043: Assessment and Instruction for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of the principles and practices for assessment and identification of individuals with disabilities. Administration of formal and informal assessment instruments, and interpretation and reporting of assessment data is emphasized.
ELSE 5633: Literacy Assessment and Diagnosis of Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Developing comprehensive understanding of diagnostic and corrective needs of individuals with reading disabilities in special education classrooms.
ELSE 5653: Literacy and Language Development for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Relationship of language acquisition and literacy development for exceptional learners, focusing on the identification, analysis, and correction of literacy development in print knowledge, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
ELSE 6053: Advanced Methods of Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of models for the planning and delivering of instruction to students with disabilities who require an individualized general curriculum Includes techniques and materials for teaching reading, math and writing.
ELSE 6073: Advanced Teaching Method of Significantly Disabled
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Advanced Methods of Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities Evidenced-based research is presented with regard to all educational programs for students with severe, intellectual disabilities and autism, including strategies educators use in concert with team members to plan, teach, and monitor students’ progress.
ELSE 6163: Positive Behavior Interventions and Support
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This provides a basis of understanding and addressing behavior challenges of diverse learners. In this course a range of issues, concepts and practices centering on Positive Behavior Interventions and support (PBIS) in school, communities, and other social settings.
ELSE 6193: Special Ed Lab Experiences
Duration: 10-14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Special Education Laboratory Experience is the internship component of the MSE in Special Education K-12 program. Candidates will develop and implement field-based projects for the purpose of applying the knowledge and skills sets obtained in all courses leading up to the Laboratory Experience course. Implementation of projects will take place in a special education setting to provide an opportunity for candidates to work with students with exceptionalities. Emphasis is on practical application of theoretical methods. Prerequisites: Passage of Special Education Praxis II and permission from advisor.
*Depending upon prior completed graduate work, students may take fewer courses resulting in a faster completion time. Students who have previously completed the P-4 or 4-12 program of study have already taken four of the seven required classes for a K-12 license.