Teacher Certification in Special Education
Certification programs are available to both adult students who hold a bachelors degree, and to certified teachers who wish to add new areas to their current certification. Programs leading to certification are available in:
- Special Education Comprehensive
- Special Education / Early Childhood Education Certification
- Special Education MPI / Elementary Education Dual Certification
- Special Education Comprehensive: Secondary Certification
Certification Requirements
Candidates for teacher certification in Special Education through Mercyhurst College must either complete, or show evidence that they have already completed, course requirements in four core areas: the Liberal Core, the Special Education Common Core, one Special Education Specialized Core (if applicable), and the General Education Core.
Candidates for dual certification with Early Childhood Education must also complete the Early Childhood Education Core. Those seeking dual certification with Elementary Education must also complete the Early Childhood Education Core.
Candidates must also meet minimum GPA requirements, obtain state mandated legal clearances, complete a student teaching experience and pass the required PRAXIS exams.
| Course Requirements* | |
| Number | Name |
|---|---|
| Liberal Core | |
| POLI 100 | American Government |
| POLI 303 | Geopolitics or ANTH 109 World Geography |
| MATH 108 | Math Problem Solving |
| HDFR 110 | Human Growth and Development |
| ENGL | College Writing |
| ENGL | Literature |
| ELED 225 | Arts & Music in Elementary School* |
| Special Education Common Core | |
| SPED 104 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child Non-Sensory |
| SPED 105 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child Sensory |
| SPEC 202 | M/M Teaching: Mental Retardation |
| SPED 204 | Assessment |
| SPED 301 | M/M Teaching: Learning Disabilities |
| SPED 302 | M/M Teaching: Emotional and Social Disorders |
| SPED 305 | M/M Teaching: Physical Disabilities |
| SPED 402 | Career Education |
| Special Education Specialized Core (Special Education Comprehensive) | |
| ELED 204/205 | Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades |
| ELED 206/207 | Teaching Literacy in the Intermediate Grades |
| ELED 304 | Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades |
| ELED 305 | Project Oriented Teaching/ Science, Health and Social Studies |
| Special Education Specialized Core (Early Childhood Education) | |
| ELED 204/205 | Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades |
| ELED 304 | Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades |
| Special Education Specialized Core (Elementary Education) | |
| No additional requirements | |
| Special Education Unique Core (Secondary Education) | |
| SPED 410 | Instructional Strategies in Secondary Schools |
| ELED 206/207 | Teaching Literacy in the Intermediate Grades |
| ELED 304 | Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades |
| ELED 305 | Project Oriented Teaching/ Science, Health and Social Studies |
| Education Core | |
| EDUC 174/175 | Seminar in Urban Education Academics and Lab |
| EDUC 201 | Foundations of Education |
| EDUC 211 | Computers for Teachers |
| EDUC 274/275 | Seminar in Inclusive Education |
| Classroom Management and Lab | |
| EDUC 301 | Professional Communications for Teachers |
| EDUC 302 | Educational Psychology |
| EDUC 474 | Pre-teaching Internship* |
| EDUC 475 | Student Teaching |
* Required of dual Early Childhood Education candidates only
Student Teaching
A 12 week student teaching experience (EDUC 475) is required, and is offered in the fall and spring terms during the day. Students must meet the minimum requirements for student teaching, which include Act 33 and 34 clearances and a 3.0 GPA.
Praxis Exam
All students seeking education certification must complete the core battery PRAXIS I exams in Reading, Writing and Math.