As schools strive to provide a relevant and challenging education for all students, they increasingly rely on the specialized expertise of teachers who are trained to effectively support students with disabilities. Through UD ARTC, there are two different ways to become a teacher of students with special needs.

Although both options are tailored for candidates who have earned bachelor’s degrees, but haven’t taken education courses, each program has differences.  Our non-degree program allows teacher candidates to begin teaching immediately, but MPCP students work during the first year as a full-time, paid paraprofessional in a special needs classroom (while taking their first year of Master’s coursework) and then work the second year as the full-time, paid special needs teacher of record (while finishing their Master’s degree).  Successful completion of either program results in standard certification.

Graduate Certificate

The University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) offers a graduate certificate in Teaching Students with Disabilities for K-12 and special education educators through a five-course course of study. Guided by nationally recognized faculty and staff in CEHD’s School of Education and Center for Excellence and Equity in Teacher Preparation, students build advanced knowledge and skills through coursework and school-based projects.

Students build advanced expertise in special education, autism/severe disabilities or K-12 education and gain personalized mentoring and strong faculty support within a close-knit program community. Students choose from two certificate options: Autism/Severe Disabilities or K-12. Each certificate option requires satisfactory completion of five graduate-level courses (15 credits).

Students may also apply credits earned in this certificate program toward CEHD’s M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities.

Master’s Plus Certification Program

The alternate route Master’s Plus Certification Program (MPCP) track is appropriate for individuals who seek to acquire advanced knowledge and skills while also obtaining their first teaching certificate. This option requires local/regional residence and employment. The MPCP track is not suitable for international students. Some classes are offered in person on the Newark campus with a virtual option for distant learners. Other courses are available online (synchronous or asynchronous).

Within the MPCP track, concentrations include:

• Elementary (K-6) Special Education
• Secondary (7-12) Special Education
• Autism/Severe Disabilities