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The Graduate School

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Certificate

At the University of North Florida, the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Graduate Certificate prepares educators and professionals to support learners with exceptionalities through evidence-based instruction, behavior management, and inclusive educational practices. With flexible coursework options in math, literacy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the program allows students to tailor their learning to meet their professional goals and the needs of today’s classrooms.

Empowering Exceptional Learners

Build the expertise needed to empower exceptional learners through effective instruction, classroom management, and accessible learning strategies at UNF.

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Program Overview

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Graduate Certificate at the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services is designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to support learners with exceptionalities in a variety of educational settings. The certificate may be completed alongside a graduate degree or pursued independently as a non-degree seeking program.

The program includes two required courses: EEX5075 Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in General Education Settings and EEX5665 Classroom and Behavior Management. EEX5075 introduces students to special education laws, disability categories, student characteristics, and collaborative practices involving educators and families. The course also emphasizes evidence-based instructional and behavioral strategies for supporting students with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. EEX5665 focuses on classroom and behavior management practices for learners with exceptionalities, including creating safe learning environments, implementing behavioral interventions, analyzing environmental influences on behavior, and understanding the legal and ethical foundations of behavior management.

In addition to the required coursework, students select three electives aligned with their professional interests and career goals in the areas of math, literacy, or Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The UDL course, EME6609, explores how educators can remove barriers to learning by designing accessible and inclusive instructional materials and technology-based strategies using the UDL framework.

Program Contact

Dr. Caroline Guardino

Graduate Program Director
Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Program At-a-Glance

Delivery: Fully Online
Credit hours: 9
Graduate Cost Calculator
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Application Deadlines

  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: December 1
  • Summer: April 15

Graduate Cost Calculator

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Admissions Requirements

The below Program Requirements, University Requirements, and International Applicant Requirements*, if applicable, must be submitted no later than the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications or those with required materials post-marked after the deadline are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision cannot be reversed.

*International students must be fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program at the University of North Florida. Please check the list of non-qualifying graduate degree programs and contact the International Center for more information.

  • University Requirements

    University Requirements

    Application and Application Fee

    Prospective students are required to use our online system to create an account and submit an application. The application opens approximately one year in advance and is only good for the term and program in which it is submitted. Applicants who have submitted their application and wish to change their admission term or major/concentration may submit a new application and associated application fee. If you would like to cancel an open application, please contact us.

    A $30 (USD) application fee is required regardless of previous enrollment. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. Undergraduate application fees cannot be used for a graduate application, and vise versa. The application fee must be submitted prior to the review of an application.

    Current students who would like to add or change a major, concentration or certificate should submit the Change of Concentration or Major form.

    College Transcripts

    All applicants must provide transcripts from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor or its equivalent from a non-US institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, if applicable, and transcripts from institutions where any post-baccalaureate and/or graduate credits were earned.

    All admits must provide official transcripts.

    All international transcripts will require a course-by-course evaluation by an approved third-party credential evaluation agency unless a graduate program has established an alternative credential evaluation procedure that is approved by the graduate school. To be accepted, the evaluation must be:

    1. Translated to English and be the U.S. equivalent
    2. Evaluated course-by-course
    3. Include the overall academic GPA
    4. Be from an approved third-party accredited evaluation service. Recommended evaluation agencies: 

    Important Notes

    • The UNF Graduate School cannot request transcripts on an applicants behalf.
    • Unofficial transcript copies are accepted for admissions but must clearly state the institution name, student name, course information, terms, grades, and credits. Degree audits are not accepted. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts. 
    • If currently enrolled in courses, an incomplete transcript must be submitted before the posted deadline. 
    • Applicants who also have to apply through systems such as ATCAS or PTCAS, must submit separate transcripts to UNF. 
    • Official transcripts must:
      • Must be less than one year old from the date of printing
      • Must be submitted in a sealed envelope from your institution, or emailed through official electronic means.
    • When requesting college transcripts, please verify with your institution(s) whether or not they are able to submit electronic transcripts in the proper EDI format. Institutions can submit transcripts via e-mail to graduateschool@unf.edu from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment. 
    • Former or current UNF students should not request UNF transcripts. After application submission, the UNF requirement will be updated to a "waived" status.

    Where Do I Send Transcripts and Test Scores?

    Mail

    UNF Graduate School
    1 UNF Drive
    Jacksonville, FL 32224

    Email

    graduateschool@unf.edu

    Test Score Institutional Codes

    GRE: institutional code 5490
    GMAT: institutional code CF3QB51

  • Program Specific Requirements

    Program Requirements

    Specific Requirements

    • Certification
      • Applicants must hold a valid teaching license/certificate from any U.S. state or international equivalent

    Program Prerequisites

    • Successful completion of one of the following:
      • 2011 Revised Florida Reading Competencies 1-4
      • Florida Reading Competencies 1-5 (prior 2011 version)
      • Have 12 credit hours in reading/literacy with evidence of covering indicators of the 2011 Revised Florida Reading Competencies 1-4
    • Have taken a general assessment course at either the undergraduate or graduate level such as EDF 4444: Assessment of Learning and Behavior or EDF6442: Assessment in the Curriculum