Important: This certificate plan is effective for those starting in the fall 2025 through summer 2026. This certificate plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change certificates.

This program provides the option to earn an add-on endorsement to an existing initial teaching license. This program is not designed to meet the requirements for an initial teaching license.

Upon completion of this program, the Add-On Endorsement in Special Education General Curriculum is an option for those who:

1. Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and

2. Hold a current teaching license issued by the Virginia Board of Education in one of the following endorsement areas:

• Elementary Education
• Middle Grades Education with endorsement(s) in English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, or Science
• Secondary Grades Education with endorsement(s) in English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics

This Special Education General Curriculum Add-on Endorsement only applies to the grade band of the initial license (e.g., Elementary Education).

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Certificate Courses
EDLC 530	Teaching Mathematics	3
EDLC 554	Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction	3
EDSP 521	Foundations of Exceptionality	3
EDSP 524	Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms	3
EDSP 525	Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,2	3
Field Experience Courses
Choose one course from the following: 1,2,3,4		0
EDSP 545	Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Elementary
EDSP 546	Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Middle
EDSP 547	Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Secondary
Total Hours		15

¹

Course should not be taken in the summer terms.

²

EDSP 545, EDSP 546, or EDSP 547 should be taken in the same semester as EDSP 525.

³

Candidates will complete a 45-hour practicum

⁴

The field experience course (EDSP 545, EDSP 546, or EDSP 547) requires the cleared background check. 

Notes

• Students who want to apply certificate courses to a graduate degree program will have to abide by the GPA and grade requirements of that degree.

Completion Requirements

• 15 total hours
• A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable
• 2.0 GPA
• No grade of D may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
• Certificate must be completed within 3 years
• Submit Certificate Completion Application at beginning of final semester

Program Offered in Online Format