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Post-Baccalaureate Programs in Special Education

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There are several programs for post-baccalaureate study in the area of Special Education at Central Michigan University. These programs include a master's degree program and several other types of post-baccalaureate programs.


  • Master of Arts in Special Education
  • A master's degree program, Master of Arts in Special Education, is available for students who have a Michigan Elementary or Secondary Provisional, Permanent, or Life certificate or special education endorsement, and want advanced study in special education. Within the electives on the master's degree program, a graduate student may decide to take courses toward an additional endorsement in the areas of cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, specific learning disability, or autism. Or a graduate student (in consultation with an advisor) may select other courses that would provide expertise in areas that would be beneficial for a special education teacher or teacher consultant.

    Program Information

    • Cognitive Impairment Endorsements

    Initial Cognitive Impairment (on-campus only) 
Applicants for this post-baccalaureate program will be required to have a Bachelor’s degree, and have or be working towards the completion of a valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate. 

Application for adding this major to the certificate should be filed when the last course is in progress and the MTTC has been passed. Applications for both are available in the office of EHS Center for Student Services, 421 EHS Building (989-774-3309).

  1. Contact Jamie McDonald in the EHS Center for Student Services office, mcdon1gg@cmich.edu or 989-774-3453.
    1. Specify your interest in the Initial Endorsement in Cognitive Impairment (CI) Program.
    2. Subsequently, you will be asked to provide the following:
      1. Transcripts of all special education courses completed.
      2. A copy of a valid Michigan teaching certificate. 
  1. Apply to CMU as undergraduate non-degree seeking status.
  1. Upon acceptance to CMU, the EHS Center for Student Services will forward your materials to the CI faculty advisor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education. This faculty member will: (a) review the documents, (b) conduct a thorough review of transcripts to determine if the candidate meets admission requirements or if additional coursework is required, (c) make an endorsement program recommendation, and (d) return the endorsement plan document to the EHS Center for Student Services.
  1. The EHS Center for Student Services will contact the student and provide information to contact the CI faculty advisor.
  1. Application for adding this endorsement to the certificate should be filed when the last course is in progress and the MTTC has been passed. Applications for both are available in the office of EHS Center for Student Services, 421 EHS Building (989-774-3309).

Core Courses (24 credit hours)
SPE 126 (3): Introduction to Special Education (C grade or better required)
SPE 322 * (6): Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Special Needs
SPE 323 *(3): Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs
SPE 324 *(6): Special Education Classroom-Based Assessment (field experience)
SPE 570(3): Career Development and Transition
SPE 550(3): Teaching Culturally Diverse Students

Professional Sequence (9 credit hours)
SPE 519 *(3): Teaching the Student with Mild Cognitive Impairment
SPE 521 *(3): Teaching the Student with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment
SPE 522 *(3):  Field Experience-Cognitive Impairment **
Professional Education (6 credit hours)
SPE 458(6): Special Education Student Teaching: Cognitive Impairment **
Total 39
*These are courses which require a C+ or better. 
**Prior application and approval required a semester prior to course registration. For SPE 522 and SPE 458 information and application deadlines call (989) 774-3205.

Special Education Student Teaching: Cognitive Impairment (SPE 458, 6 hours) for 10 weeks is required.  To apply for student teaching you must attend a meeting a semester prior to student teaching.  The meetings are held the first Thursday of the Fall and Spring semesters.  Seminars are not required for student teaching, but attendance/communication with the university supervisor is recommended.

Additional Cognitive Impairment (on-campus only)
 

Applicants for this post-baccalaureate program will be required to have: a) Bachelor's degree, and (b) valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate, and (c) endorsement in special education that is valid in grades K-12 in an area other than Cognitive Impairment (CI).

Applicants for this endorsement program can select to pursue: (a) non-degree seeking undergraduate level program or (b) Special Education Master's Degree program. Accepted applicants who pursue a non-degree seeking undergraduate program will complete coursework specific to the CI additional endorsement. Accepted applicants into the Master's Degree program will have the CI additional endorsement incorporated into their master's degree program of study. Students pursuing the CI additional endorsement in conjunction with the Master Teacher program must adhere to the corresponding admission requirements for that graduate program.


  • Contact  Jamie McDonald in the EHS Center for Student Services office, mcdon1gg@cmich.edu or 989-774-3453.

  • Specify your interest in the Additional Endorsement in Cognitive Impairment (CI) Program.

  • Subsequently, you will be asked to provide the following:

  • Transcripts of all special education courses completed.

  • A copy of a valid Michigan teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education.
     Apply to CMU for non-degree seeking undergraduate if pursuing an endorsement only, or Master's degree status if pursuing an endorsement and master's degree together.  Please discuss which pathway would be best for you with an endorsement advisor and the CMU Scholarships and Financial Aid office.  

  • Upon acceptance to CMU and receipt of the necessary application documents, the EHS Center for Student Services will forward your materials to the CI faculty advisor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education. This faculty member will: (a) review the documents, (b) conduct a thorough review of transcripts to determine if the candidate meets admission requirements or if additional coursework is required, (c) make an endorsement program recommendation, and (d) return the endorsement plan document to the EHS Center for Student Services.
  • The EHS Center for Student Services will contact the graduate student and provide information to contact the CI faculty advisor.
    • Professional Sequence (9 credit hours)
    • SPE 519 *(3): Teaching the Student with Mild Cognitive Impairment 
    • SPE 521 *(3): Teaching the Student with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment 
    • SPE 522 *(3): Seminar in Advanced Methods for Teaching Students with Cognitive Impairment** 
    Electives (3 credit hours)**
    • To be selected with advisor 
    Professional Education (6 credit hours)
    • SPE 689 (6):Graduate Practicum *** 
    Total 15

     18 hour planned program**
    *These are courses which require a C+ or better.
     **Elective needed only for an 18 hour planned program.
    *** SPE 689 is a clinical experience course and requires an additional application to be approved prior to registering. You may contact Sarah Kunik at the CSE office 989-774-3436 or email kunik1sj@cmich.edu to request a clinical experience application.

    The deadline to submit the clinical experience application is during the semester prior to the semester you wish to complete your clinical experience. If you plan to complete your clinical experience in the Fall Semester, you will need to submit the application by May 1st. If you plan to complete your clinical experience in the Spring Semester, you will need to submit the application by November 1st. Late applications are not accepted.

    Emotional Impairment Endorsements

    Initial Emotional Impairment (on-campus only)
    Applicants for this post-baccalaureate program will be required to have a Bachelor's degree, and have or be working towards the completion of a valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate. 

    Application for adding this major to the certificate should be filed when the last course is in progress and the MTTC has been passed. Applications for both are available in the office of EHS Center for Student Services, 421 EHS Building (989-774-3309).

    Contact  Jamie McDonald in the EHS Center for Student Services office, mcdon1gg@cmich.edu or 989-774-3453.

  • Specify your interest in the Initial Emotional Impairment (EI) Program.
  • Subsequently, you will be asked to provide the following:

  • Transcripts of all special education courses completed.

  • A copy of a valid Michigan teaching certificate.

  • Apply to CMU as undergraduate non-degree seeking status.

  • Upon acceptance to CMU, the EHS Center for Student Services will forward your materials to the EI faculty advisor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education. This faculty member will: (a) review the documents, (b) conduct a thorough review of transcripts to determine if the candidate meets admission requirements or if additional coursework is required, (c) make an endorsement program recommendation, and (d) return the endorsement plan document to the EHS Center for Student Services.

  • The EHS Center for Student Services will contact the graduate student and provide information to contact the EI faculty advisor.

  • Application for adding this endorsement to the certificate should be filed when the last course is in progress and the MTTC has been passed. Applications for both are available in the office of EHS Center for Student Services, 421 EHS Building (989-774-3309).

    • Core Courses (24 credit hours) 
    • SPE 126 (3): Introduction to Special Education (C grade or better required)
    • SPE 322 *(6): Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Special Needs
    • SPE 323 *(3): Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs
    • SPE 324 *(6): Special Education Classroom-Based Assessment (field experience)
    • SPE 570 (3): Career Development and Transition
    • SPE 550 (3): Teaching Culturally Diverse Students

    Professional Sequence (9 credit hours)
    • SPE 578 *(3): Students with Emotional Impairment
    • SPE 579 *(3): Teaching Students with Emotional Impairment
    • SPE 581 *(3): Field Experience-Emotional Impairment **

    Professional Education (6 credit hours)
    • SPE 456 (6): Special Education Student Teaching: Emotional Impairment **

    Total 39
    *These are courses which require a C+ or better. 
    **Prior application and approval required a semester prior to course registration. For SPE 581 and SPE 456 information and application deadlines call (989) 774-3205.

    Special Education Student Teaching: Emotional Impairment (SPE 456, 6 hours) for 10 weeks is required.  To apply for student teaching you must attend a meeting a semester prior to student teaching.  The meetings are held the first Thursday of the Fall and Spring semesters.  Seminars are not required for student teaching, but attendance/communication with the university supervisor is recommended.


    Additional Emotional Impairment (on-campus only)
     

    Applicants for this post-baccalaureate program will be required to have: a) Bachelor's degree, and (b) valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate, and (c) endorsement in special education that is valid in grades K-12 in an area other than Emotional Impairment (EI).

    Applicants for this endorsement program can select to pursue: (a) non-degree seeking undergraduate level program or (b) Special Education Master's Degree program. Accepted applicants who pursue a non-degree seeking undergraduate program will complete coursework specific to the EI additional endorsement. Accepted applicants into the Master's Degree program will have the EI additional endorsement incorporated into their master's degree program of study. Students pursuing the EI additional endorsement in conjunction with the Master Teacher program must adhere to the corresponding admission requirements for that graduate program.


  • Contact  Jamie McDonald in the EHS Center for Student Services office, mcdon1gg@cmich.edu or 989-774-3453.
  • Specify your interest in the Additional Endorsement in Emotional Impairment (EI) Program.
  • Subsequently, you will be asked to provide the following:
  • Transcripts of all special education courses completed.
  • A copy of a valid Michigan teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education.
     
  • Apply to CMU for non-degree seeking undergraduate if pursuing an endorsement only, or Master's degree status if pursuing an endorsement and master's degree together.  Please discuss which pathway would be best for you with an endorsement advisor and the CMU Scholarships and Financial Aid office.
     
  • Upon acceptance to CMU and receipt of the necessary application documents, the EHS Center for Student Services will forward your materials to the EI faculty advisor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education. This faculty member will: (a) review the documents, (b) conduct a thorough review of transcripts to determine if the candidate meets admission requirements or if additional coursework is required, (c) make an endorsement program recommendation, and (d) return the endorsement plan document to the EHS Center for Student Services.
     
  • The EHS Center for Student Services will contact the graduate student and provide information to contact the EI faculty advisor.

    • Professional Sequence (9 credit hours)
    • SPE 578 *(3): Students with Emotional Impairment
    • SPE 579 *(3): Teaching Students with Emotional Impairment
    • SPE 581 *(3): Seminar in Advanced Methods for Teaching Students with Emotional Impairment **
    Electives (3 credit hours)**
    Professional Education (6 credit hours)
    • SPE 689 (6): Graduate Practicum ***

    Total 15
    18 hour planned program** 
    *These are courses which require a C+ or better. 
    **Elective needed only for an 18 hour planned program.
    *** SPE 689 is a clinical experience course and requires an additional application to be approved prior to registering.  You may contact Sarah Kunik at the CSE office 989-774-3436 or email kunik1sj@cmich.edu to request a clinical experience application.  

    The deadline to submit the clinical experience application is during the semester prior to the semester you wish to complete your clinical experience.  If you plan to complete your clinical experience in the Fall Semester, you will need to submit the application by May 1st.  If you plan to complete your clinical experience in the Spring Semester, you will need to submit the application by November 1st.  Late applications are not accepted.   

    Specific Learning Disabilities Endorsement (online only) 

    Applicants for this post-baccalaureate program will be required to have: a) Bachelor’s degree, (b) valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate, and (c) endorsement in special education that is valid in grades K-12 in an area other than Specific Learning Disability (SLD). 

    Applicants for this additional endorsement program should apply to the Special Education Master’s Degree program using www.cmich.edu/global/programs. Those accepted applicants beginning the program with coursework specific to the SLD additional endorsement will have the opportunity to complete the remaining MA courses following completion of the SLD additional endorsement program. Those accepted applicants beginning the program with the courses for the core Master’s program will have the opportunity to complete the courses for the SLD endorsement program following successful completion of the Master’s core program. Students must adhere to the corresponding admission requirements for the graduate program.


    1. Contact the College of Graduate Studies or  www.cmich.edu/global/programs to apply for the Master's in Special Education program. The application process includes the following:
      • Application fee
      • Official transcripts from all academic programs attended.
      • Two letters of reference regarding your performance with Special Education populations.
      • A current Statement of Purpose (500-700 words) that addresses your teaching philosophy, area(s) of interest for graduate study, and long-term goals in the profession. 
    2. Upon acceptance to CMU and receipt of the necessary application documents, your materials will be forwarded to the Special Education Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Counseling and Special Education. This faculty member will: (a) review the documents; (b) conduct a thorough review of transcripts to determine if the candidate meets admission requirements or if additional coursework is required; (c) make an endorsement program recommendation; and (d) return the endorsement plan document to the EHS Center for Student Services.
    3. The Department of Counseling and Special Education will contact the student and provide information regarding their graduate SLD faculty advisor.


    Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement (online only)

    Applicants for this post-baccalaureate program will be required to have: a) Bachelor’s degree, (b) valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate, and (c) endorsement in special education that is valid in grades K-12 in an area other than Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). 

    Applicants for this additional endorsement program should apply to the Special Education Master’s Degree program using www.cmich.edu/global/programs. Those accepted applicants beginning the program with coursework specific to the ASD additional endorsement will have the opportunity to complete the remaining MA courses following completion of the ASD additional endorsement program. Those accepted applicants beginning the program with the courses for the core Master’s program will have the opportunity to complete the courses for the ASD endorsement program following successful completion of the Master’s core program. Students must adhere to the corresponding admission requirements for the graduate program.


    1. Contact the College of Graduate Studies or  www.cmich.edu/global/programs to apply for the Master's in Special Education program. The application process includes the following:
      • Application fee
      • Official transcripts from all academic programs attended.
      • Two letters of reference regarding your performance with Special Education populations.
      • A current Statement of Purpose (500-700 words) that addresses your teaching philosophy, area(s) of interest for graduate study, and long-term goals in the profession.  
    2. Upon acceptance to CMU and receipt of the necessary application documents, your materials will be forwarded to the Special Education Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Counseling and Special Education. This faculty member will: (a) review the documents; (b) conduct a thorough review of transcripts to determine if the candidate meets admission requirements or if additional coursework is required; (c) make an endorsement program recommendation; and (d) return the endorsement plan document to the EHS Center for Student Services.
    3. The Department of Counseling and Special Education will contact the graduate student and provide information regarding their ASD faculty advisor.




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