Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services
The Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services is designed for post-bachelor’s degree students interested in developing and increasing their skills in the area of special education transition services. The training is also of benefit to special educators seeking a master’s degree with an emphasis on transition services and to employees in state agencies with responsibility for supporting adults with disabilities in the workforce and vocational rehabilitation fields. The Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services courses are aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children’s Advanced Special Education Transition Specialist standards.
This Graduate Certificate is eligible to receive Title IV funding – Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS loans by request. To be considered for aid, students need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
Applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admission:
Spring 2025
- Graduate Application
- Application Fee
- Official transcripts from all degrees earned
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of a 3.0, either overall or in the last 60 credit hours
- Two recommendation forms
- Curriculum vitae or resume
Fall 2024
- Graduate Application
- Application Fee
- Official transcript from the colleges and universities attended, both undergraduate and graduate, that reflect a 2.75 GPA overall or in the last 60 hours
- Contact information for two references
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Writing sample
The Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services is comprised of four special education courses to facilitate transition from secondary education to adult settings. This program affords access to the necessary online learning resources, including access to materials and support from the SHSU Newton Gresham Library as well as technology support from IT@Sam.
The specialization courses for the Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services is offered online and includes the following required courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 5306 | Transition Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5307 | Transition Assessment and Instruction | 3 |
| SPED 5308 | Career Development & Employment for Youth with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5309 | Leadership in Transition Services | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The Graduate Certificate in Special Education Transition Services is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Learn about adolescent to adult development and best practices for students with special needs as they transition to adulthood
- Community and family relations skills for the transition from K-12 to work or post-secondary education
