Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Graduate Certificate

The Exceptional Student Education Graduate Certificate is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills needed to support learners with exceptionalities across various educational settings. Students may earn the certificate in conjunction with a graduate degree or as a standalone certificate as a non-degree seeking student. Please see the Graduate Certificate Programs page for more information.

Two courses required for this certificate include EEX5075 Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in General Education Settings and EEX5665 Classroom and Behavior Management.

Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in General Education Settings provides background knowledge on special education laws, disability categories, student characteristics, and collaboration among educators and parents. The course content also emphasizes evidence-based instructional and behavior strategies for teaching students with disabilities in general education settings. EEX5665 Classroom and Behavior Management is focused on developing knowledge and skills in behavior and classroom management for learners with exceptionalities. During this course, you will learn how to design and maintain safe learning environments, implement evidence-based behavioral interventions, analyze environmental influences on behavior, and examine the legal and ethical foundations of behavior management.

The three electives for this program allow the graduate student to choose which area of focus is best for them given their career goals: math, literacy, or UDL. While the focus of the math (EEX5485) and literacy (EEX 6256) courses are more obvious, UDL (EME 6609) may not be as clear. EME 6609 is a course that engages students in exploring and applying Universal Design for Learning as a framework for removing barriers to learning across a wide range of educational contexts. Through discussions, reflections, and problem-based activities, students analyze UDL principles and design accessible instructional materials, including technology-based strategies.

Students must earn a "C" grade or higher and an overall 2.5 GPA in the minor.