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Graduate Certificate in Special Education Teaching, Licensure

If are a licensed teacher in the state of Indiana or Ohio and want to earn your special education certification this program was designed for you. With the Special Education Teaching Certificate program at Indiana Wesleyan University, you can apply your passion for education by helping students with disabilities learn and grow. We offer students in this program a completely online experience taught from a Christ-centered perspective.

Why Pursue My Special Education Teaching, Licensure Certificate at IWU?

There are several benefits to pursuing your special education certification online at IWU. You will learn from experienced faculty who are experts in teaching in special education settings. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career. We also provide comprehensive student services, from tech support to tutoring, to help you succeed in this certificate program. We also lock in the cost of your tuition once you start the program, so you can accurately forecast the cost of your program.

What Will I Learn in This Special Education Teaching, Licensure Certificate Program?

This special education certification program is designed to help students develop knowledge and skills that align with the initial licensure standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children, state licensure requirements for Indiana or Ohio, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation's advanced-level program standards. Course materials are delivered through virtual reality, video discussion, concept maps, demo videos, and other tech-driven applications. Course topics cover foundations in language and literacy, research-based behavior interventions, ethical practices, and more.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.

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Rooted in Christ

Christ-centered support, resources, and services to online students, staff and faculty.

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Superior Support

Discover online student resources to help along your journey.

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Tuition & Aid

18 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

Coursework for your graduate certificate in teaching special education covers how to:

  • Understand the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of students and develop culturally responsive learning plans
  • Create individualized learning plans for students with exceptionalities
  • Build safe, inclusive learning environments by implementing evidence-based behavioral interventions for students with exceptionalities
  • Collaborate with families, colleagues, related service providers, and other stakeholders to provide appropriate learning experiences for students with exceptionalities

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.

EDSE-510,EDSE-520,EDSE-530,EDSE-540,EDSE-550,EDSE-560

After Graduation

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Potential Careers

  • Department Chair in Special Education
  • Program Coordinator in Special Education
  • Special Education Instructor, Teacher, or Adjunct Faculty

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

  • Submitted a signed SILD FERPA Release form.
  • 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) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University. Transcripts from foreign institutions may need to be sent to an outside agency for evaluation and determination of transferable credits, degrees, and GPA. If this outside review is necessary, students are responsible for the initiation of this evaluation and for any fees incurred during the process.
  • An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least of minimum of 30 hours was completed or a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher from master’s degree granting institution.
  • A valid (but not necessarily current) state teacher’s license.
  • At least one year of teaching experience from an approved and accredited public, private, or parochial P-12 school in the United States or abroad.
  • Supporting documentation demonstrating access to a P-12 classroom.
Field and Clinical Experience Requirements

All candidates must complete field and clinical experiences embedded within the special education courses.

Completion Requirements:
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of “B-” in each course.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.
  • Ohio Licensure: Candidates seeking Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate licensure in Ohio must have successfully passed twelve credit hours (undergraduate or graduate level) of teaching of reading courses - including at least one, three credit hour course in phonics as part of their program completion requirements.

Accreditation

Field and Clinical Experience Requirements

All candidates must complete field and clinical experiences embedded within the special education courses.

Completion Requirements:
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of “B-” in each course.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.
  • Ohio Licensure: Candidates seeking Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate licensure in Ohio must have successfully passed twelve credit hours (undergraduate or graduate level) of teaching of reading courses - including at least one, three credit hour course in phonics as part of their program completion requirements.

Take the Next Step

Discover the way forward to pursue your goal of working as a special education teacher in Indiana. Contact us today to learn more about this graduate certificate in teaching special education program at IWU!

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