Todd DeMitchell
John and H. Irene Peters Professor of Education
Professor Emeritus
Special Education Administration (Graduate Certificate)
Special Education Administration (Graduate Certificate)
Why get a graduate certificate in special education administration?
The special education administration graduate certificate provides the knowledge and skills you need to lead your school in educating students with disabilities.As a graduate of the program,you'll be eligible for New Hampshire special education administrator certification. You’ll explore social, psychological and physical characteristics of individuals with exceptionalities, and the challenges their families face. You’ll also study federal and state policies and current topics related to special education. You’ll learn to analyze learners and learning environments, and how to design, implement and evaluate educational interventions. You’ll also study school and school district administration, including policymaking, management, finance and human resources.
Why get your graduate certificate in special education at UNH?
Designed to meet the needs of working educators, this post-master’s graduate certificate program is both flexible and convenient, allowing you to earn your degree at a pace that best fits your schedule. Many courses are offered online or at convenient times at our Durham or Manchester campuses, and you can start the program in the fall, spring or summer semesters.The program is designed for students with a master’s degree in special education, educational administration or a similar field;current credentials in special education;and a minimum of five years of teaching experience.
Potential careers
- Curriculum director
- School administrator
- Special education advisor
- Superintendent
- Teacher
Contact
Department of Education
Morrill Hall
University of New Hampshire
62 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2310
Fax: (603) 862-2174
Curriculum & Requirements
The Department of Education offers a Graduate Certificate in Special Education Administration. This program allows educators to administer and lead special education programs. Students who pursue this Graduate Certificate must concurrently pursue the certification for a New Hampshire Special Education Administrator. In other words, the Graduate Certificate is coterminous with the credential. When a student completes the Graduate Certificate he/she also completes the certification as a special education administrator. These two cannot be uncoupled.
The requirements for admission include:
• Master’s Degree in special education, educational administration, or similar field.
• Possess a current credential in special education
• A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience in special education (must have five years experience for credential eligibility).
In order to receive the Graduate Certificate for Special Education Administrator, the matriculated student must pass a minimum of 16 credits, including transfer credits, from the courses below, or electives if appropriate, taken after admission to the Graduate Certificate program, and must complete all requirements for state certification as a special education administrator.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Special Education Courses: | ||
| EDUC 850 | Introduction to Exceptionality | 4 |
| EDUC 856 | Supporting Families of Individuals with Exceptionalities | 4 |
| EDUC 939 | Assessment and Teaching of Children with Learning Difficulties | 4 |
| EDUC 951 | Laws and Regulations Affecting the Education of Students with Disabilities | 4 |
| EDUC 956 | Learning to Listen: Developing Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Challenging Behaviors | 4 |
| EDUC 959 | Issues in Education (Or Equivalent) | 4 |
Administration Courses: | ||
| EDUC 962 | Educational Finance and Business Management | 4 |
| EDUC 964 | Human Resources in Education | 4 |
| EDUC 974 | Educational Administrative Internship | 4 |
| EDUC 977 | Leadership: The District Level Administrator | 4 |
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: April 15
- Spring: Nov. 1
- Summer: April 15
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $25
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
Additional Department Requirements
Program has additional requirements for admission as follows: Master's Degree in special education, educational administration, or similar field; possess a current credential in special education; minimum of three years of successful teaching experience in special education.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.
International Applicants
The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
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