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Graduate Certificate in Transition to Teaching Special Education

Be the reason a child loves to learn. Designed for students seeking initial licensure in Indiana, the online Transition to Teaching (TTT) in Special Education (SPED) program helps you understand the unique challenges and needs of many students in our classrooms today. It also prepares you for licensure with practical coursework, direct experience working with children and families, and faculty with relevant teaching backgrounds.

Applicants for the TTT in SPED program must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the subject area of special education. Don’t meet the admission requirements? Check out IWU’s Special Education Teacher Training Certificate program, which will help you prepare and transition smoothly into the TTT program.

If you’re interested in teaching special education, you can complete this 100% online program in approximately two years. You don’t need to pause your life to earn your degree, and you’ll graduate with a professional growth plan, a classroom management plan, and a behavior intervention plan.

Why Pursue My Special Education Teaching Certificate Online at IWU?

Our highly qualified faculty have extensive, practical experience in special education and offer faith-based guidance that will help you grow academically and personally. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a special education career. You’ll graduate ready for Indiana employment, with background checks, fingerprinting, and trainings already completed. Additionally, our tuition guarantee lets you lock in your tuition cost at the beginning of your program.

What Will I Learn in a Special Education Teaching Program?

Upon completion of the special education teaching program, you’ll be equipped to create developmentally appropriate instructional practices and lesson plans that support healthy development of students with exceptionalities and their families.

What Makes IWU Different?

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Discover online student resources to help along your journey.

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Tuition & Aid

21 Credit Hours

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$525/ Credit Hour

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Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition & Fees Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. The estimated cost of attendance is available on the financial aid webpage. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.

What You'll Study

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence.

  • + EDUT-563 | Learning Processes, Diversity, and Development of P-12 Students | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-515 | Foundations, Practices, and Skills of Special Education | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-525 | Providing Language and Literacy Instruction to Enhance Assessment and Data-Based Reading Interventions for Students With Exceptionalities | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-535 | Methods for Supporting Students With Behavioral Needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 Hours

  • + EDUT-573 | Reading Strategies and the P-12 Learning Environment | 3 Hours

  • + EDUT-583 | Methods and Assessment for P-12 Educators | 3 Hours

  • + EDSE-595 | Student Teaching: Special Education | 3 Hours

Indiana Wesleyan University

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses and prerequisites required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

EDUT-563,EDSE-515,EDSE-525,EDSE-535,EDUT-573,EDUT-583,EDSE-595

After Graduation

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Potential Careers

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Special Education Coordinator or Lead Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher Assistant

Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program FAQs

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Special Education faculty bring extensive classroom experience and a deep commitment to student success. Rebecca Austin has over a decade of experience teaching at IWU and in special education classrooms, creating a supportive and practical learning environment. Amy Blake also brings more than a decade of experience and is known for her strong mentorship, regularly supporting students through personal outreach and encouragement. Kayce Bounds contributes expertise in curriculum development and has helped align courses with Science of Reading requirements, ensuring students receive current, research-based instruction.
Students can contact IWU’s Financial Aid Office through the student portal, by phone, or by email. Most inquiries receive a response within 24–48 hours.
This online special education program allows students to earn their teaching license while working in a classroom setting. Courses include embedded field experiences, enabling students to immediately apply what they are learning. This hands-on, practical approach ensures that concepts are relevant and directly transferable to real-world teaching.
Graduates are prepared for licensure to teach students with mild exceptional needs in grades P–12. Career opportunities include special education teacher roles in public, private, and charter schools. Because the program focuses on instructional strategies rather than a specific curriculum, graduates are equipped to support diverse learners across a wide range of classroom settings.
Key courses include EDSE 595 (Student Teaching), where candidates receive observation, evaluation, and feedback; EDUT 573, which focuses on classroom management and creating structured learning environments; and EDSE 515, which prepares students for IEP development, compliance, and working with learners across the developmental spectrum.
Most graduates continue in or transition into special education teaching roles. Some pursue additional education or move into leadership or administrative positions.
Most courses include a required field experience component. Students work with learners across multiple grade levels throughout the program and complete a 14-week student teaching experience. Candidates are supported by cooperating teachers and complete structured assignments tied to course objectives.
Coursework is completed fully online. However, field experiences (typically 20–25 hours per course) and student teaching are completed in person in approved school settings.
Most courses are 8 weeks in length, with student teaching lasting approximately 14 weeks.
Students typically take one course at a time and progress through the program in a cohort model, with the flexibility to pause and rejoin as needed.
Students generally move through the program as a cohort.
Yes. Students engage with peers through discussion boards, collaborative assignments, and informal networking opportunities outside of class.
Courses are delivered in an asynchronous format, with optional live sessions offered by some instructors for additional support.
Students typically spend approximately 15 hours per week on coursework, depending on the course and assignments.

Students follow a structured weekly schedule with defined deadlines but may pause between courses if needed.
Program length varies based on individual pacing, but many students complete the program in approximately 18–24 months.
Yes. Multiple start dates are offered throughout the year to accommodate working adults.
Students are connected with an academic advisor, receive access to their courses and learning platform, and begin orientation to prepare for their first class.
Students have access to academic advising, faculty support, tutoring resources, technical support, and pastoral care services.
Yes. Students work closely with cooperating teachers and faculty mentors, especially during field experiences and student teaching.
Yes. Field experiences and student teaching function as hands-on internships within real classroom environments.
Transfer credit may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on prior coursework and its alignment with program requirements.
Professional experience is valuable but typically does not translate into academic credit due to specific course requirements.
Rather than traditional practicums or capstone projects, students complete required field experiences and key performance assessments throughout the program.
This program combines practical, classroom-based training with a Christ-centered approach. Students gain real-world experience while being equipped to serve students with exceptional needs with compassion and excellence.
Students who are organized, self-disciplined, and passionate about serving students with diverse learning needs thrive in this program.
IWU students are known for their perseverance and commitment. The program is intentionally designed to support working adults while maintaining high academic standards.
Yes. Christian faith is integrated throughout the program, including weekly discussion activities that connect biblical principles to teaching practice and service.

Program Requirements

  • Earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with one of the following:
    • Baccalaureate degree in the subject area that the individual intends to teach with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale; or
    • Both a baccalaureate degree in the subject area that the individual intends to teach with a GPA of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 point scale, and five (5) years of professional experience in the subject or related area the individual intends to teach; or
    • Both a baccalaureate degree in any subject area and proof of passing Indiana's approved content area examination(s) in the subject area that the individual intends to teach; or
    • Graduate degree in the subject area or related field the individual intends to teach.
  • A criminal history background check that meets School of Integrated Learning and Development guidelines .
  • Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.

    NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check that is acceptable to the university as a part of their application materials, that successful background report will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program. School corporations are governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees who set policy for their school corporation. All accepted candidates should understand that additional background checks at the candidate's expense will most likely be required by school corporations before participating in clinical experiences.

Program Requirements

All Transition to Teaching Special Education candidates will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana's approved content area examination(s) based on the following schedule, or will be administratively withdrawn from the program:

  • If scheduled for student teaching in September, testing is due the preceding April 1st.
  • If scheduled for student teaching in January, testing is due the preceding September 1st.
Clinical Experience Requirements
  • All candidates must complete field experiences throughout the program as well as a 14-week full-time student teaching experience in a Special Education classroom.
  • All course work prior to student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than "B-" in each course to be eligible to student teach.
  • All clinical placements will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
  • Removal from a clinical experience may result in the candidate not passing the course and/or being permanently withdrawn from the program.
Completion Requirements
  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and no grade lower than a "B-."
  • Successfully complete all Clinical Experience requirements associated with the program.
  • Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.

Upon completion of the Transition to Teaching Special Education Program, candidates will be recommended for Special Education Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the IWU Transition to Teaching Special Education program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.

Accreditation

Program Requirements

All Transition to Teaching Special Education candidates will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana's approved content area examination(s) based on the following schedule, or will be administratively withdrawn from the program:

  • If scheduled for student teaching in September, testing is due the preceding April 1st.
  • If scheduled for student teaching in January, testing is due the preceding September 1st.
Clinical Experience Requirements
  • All candidates must complete field experiences throughout the program as well as a 14-week full-time student teaching experience in a Special Education classroom.
  • All course work prior to student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than "B-" in each course to be eligible to student teach.
  • All clinical placements will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
  • Removal from a clinical experience may result in the candidate not passing the course and/or being permanently withdrawn from the program.
Completion Requirements
  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and no grade lower than a "B-."
  • Successfully complete all Clinical Experience requirements associated with the program.
  • Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.

Upon completion of the Transition to Teaching Special Education Program, candidates will be recommended for Special Education Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the IWU Transition to Teaching Special Education program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.

Take the Next Step

Discover the way forward in your personal and professional life. Earn your special education teaching certificate online at IWU!

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