About Special Education: Grades Pre-K - 4/Pre-K - 8 Dual Certification
Start your teaching career with a specialty in one of the most dynamic and in-demand fields.
Make a daily impact as a special education teacher. California University of Pennsylvania's dual certification master of education in elementary/special education is designed for students who are seeking to become certified teachers for the first time, while also gaining in-depth training in the teaching of educationally and physically handicapped students.
In addition to obtaining a master's degree, you'll graduate from this program eligible for dual certification in Pennsylvania in pre-K to grade 4 and pre-K to grade 8 special education. Cal U's hands-on approach to teacher's education will also ensure you'll develop the skills, expertise and confidence you need for a top teaching career.
IMPORTANT PROGRAM UPDATE (as of March 2021)
Act 82 of 2018 changed the grade spans and age levels for certification of special education instruction certificates after December 31, 2021, combining current special education certificates into one category. Under the bill, all special education certificates issued after December 31, 2021 would cover PK-12, or up to age 21, with no additional content or dual certification required.
As a result of these changes, Cal U has prepared a new Special Education PK-12 program that combines the PK-8 and 7-12 programs. Once approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), students may enroll in this program for initial certification in Special Education PK-12 which requires student teaching or add Special Education PK-12 certification to their current licensure that does not require student teaching.
In the meantime, students can apply to our M.Ed. Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorders program. All coursework taken in this major will transfer over to the PK-12 program. Students in the Special Education ASD program will be notified of the approval and have the option to opt-in to the newly approved major.
For more information, please contact our Program Coordinator, Dr. Jason Kight (kight@calu.edu).