Special Education Leadership

GC

Why study Special Education Leadership?

The Special Education Leadership graduate certificate provides current and future administrators with a skill set to lead inclusive schools and address the educational needs of students with disabilities. This certificate is a collaboration between Educational Leadership programs and Special Education programs, providing school administrators with foundational knowledge as they pursue excellence in research, teaching, and service that addresses real world challenges and opportunities that creates positive change in an inclusive environment for students with disabilities. The stand alone online graduate certificate plan of study was created to better address the needs of current and future administrators who are in need of additional training in special education administration.

Admission Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency.
  • At least a B average (3.0/4.0 system) in relevant undergraduate course work or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program and the Graduate School.
  • 1 letter of recommendation 

Application Deadline and Procedures

Prospective students will complete the online application for their requested program by the posted application deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials and support documents are successfully submitted. Incomplete applications will not be processed or reviewed.

Transcripts:

Providing academic records during the application process. All applicants are required to upload their unofficial transcripts during the application process. The university defines “unofficial” transcripts as transcripts that have been in the hands of students, are typically printed on plain paper, and do not have a college seal or registrar's signature. Applicants should NOT send official transcripts as part of the application process.

Providing academic records after admission. Once an applicant has been extended an offer of admission to the University of Cincinnati and has accepted the offer, s/he must submit an official transcript showing conferral of a baccalaureate degree or higher as soon as possible to the address below. The university defines “official” transcripts as transcripts that have been received from a secure, authenticated issuing institution and bears validation (e.g., a seal, logo, or watermark), including a date, and an appropriate signature. Official transcripts MUST be sent forward in their original, sealed envelope. The absolute final deadline for submission of official transcripts is one week before the start of the student’s first semester. Students will NOT be allowed to complete a full semester without providing verification of an earned baccalaureate degree or higher. Any discrepancy later found between student-provided unofficial transcripts and official transcripts will be grounds for dismissal. Official Transcripts should be sent to one of the following addresses:

Regular U.S. postal mail:

Graduate School
University of Cincinnati
110 Van Wormer Hall
P.O. Box 210627
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627

Delivery via parcel delivery service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.):

Graduate School
University of Cincinnati
2614 University Circle
110 Van Wormer Hall
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627

UC Alumni

Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.

Students with degrees received in China

Applicants who have received degrees in China will upload their unofficial transcripts during the application process. The university defines “unofficial” transcripts as transcripts that have been in the hands of students, are typically printed on plain paper, and do not have a college seal or registrar's signature. Unofficial transcripts do NOT need to be verified at this stage of the application process.

After being accepted to join a graduate program

Applicants who have earned a degree in China must submit an English-version verification report from the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) of their final transcripts and degree certificates.  All verification reports must be sent to the University of Cincinnati directly by the CDGDC to be considered official. No other verification will be accepted. Applicants with Chinese transcripts must contact the CDGDC after their degree is completed and request that their degree verification report be submitted directly to the University of Cincinnati. Students who request a verification report prior to degree conferral will be required to submit a second report after conferral.

Verification reports can be ordered at the following websites:

Verification reports are due to the Graduate School one week prior to the start of the student’s first semester. Failure to submit verification reports on time will result in a student being placed in non-matriculated status and loss of his/her student visa status. Verification reports should be sent to one of the following addresses:

Regular U.S. postal mail:

Graduate School
University of Cincinnati
110 Van Wormer Hall
P.O. Box 210627
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627

Delivery via parcel delivery service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.):

Graduate School
University of Cincinnati
2614 University Circle
110 Van Wormer Hall
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627

The Special Education Leadership Graduate Certificate provides students with a skill set to:

  • Formulate a school-level leadership approach grounded in ethical standards and practices.
  • Interpret and apply current laws, regulations, and policies as they apply to the administration of services to individuals with exceptionalities and their families.
  • Utilize collaborative approaches for involving all stakeholders in educational planning, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Apply leadership, organization, and systems change theory to the provision of services.
  • Implement collaborative administrative procedures and strategies to facilitate communication among all stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate the skills necessary to provide ongoing communication, education, and support for families.

Graduates of this program will be prepared for the careers listed below. All opportunities may not be listed. 

Today, school administrators are required to lead an inclusive school that educates all students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics during the 2011-2012 school year, approximately 13% of students in public school are students with disabilities. Educational leaders must have an understanding of current issues, programs, and legal aspects of working with special education programs. The courses are taught by nationally and internationally recognized University of Cincinnati faculty members. The coursework can also be applied to the MEd in Special Education or MEd in Educational Leadership.

In order to graduate from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

  • Complete all required course work and program requirements.
  • Obtain at least a 3.0 program grade point average.
  • Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
  • Apply to graduate through the online portal on the Graduate School website by the posted graduation deadline.

Application Deadlines

Fall Admission: August 15

Spring Admission: December 15

Summer Admission: May 1

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

University of Cincinnati Online
PO Box 210208
Cincinnati, OH 45221
(513) 556-7600
onlinerecruitment@uc.edu

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Program Code: 18GC-SEL-GC-.SEL-DL