Graduate Certificate Summary
Description
Nationally, there is an under-addressed need for skilled practitioners with an understanding of the complex educational needs of children and youth with concomitant and challenging intellectual, sensory and developmental disabilities. Practitioners in special education, early childhood education, speech-language pathology, and educational psychology, school administration, or other related majors may apply for this non-degree, graduate certificate in intellectual, sensory, and developmental disabilities (ISSD). This 15-credit graduate certificate program is offered via distance education and is designed to offer an efficient program of study which could be completed in 12-24 months. This is NOT a teaching endorsement or teaching certificate. Through focused coursework focused on visual impairments and blindness, deafness and hearing loss, autism, severe disabilities, and families of students with disabilities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively work with these students who have a variety of unique needs.Distance Education Opportunities
This certificate is offered online.Intellectual, Sensory, and Developmental Disabilities
- This graduate certificate is offered by the Department of Special Education & Communication Disorders.
- On the WebDepartment Website
- Graduate ChairProfessor Karen Hux
- Certificate AdvisorsDr. Malinda Eccarius
Dr. Chris Marvin
Dr. Ellin Siegel
Dr. Tessa Wright - Graduate SecretaryMs. Jill England
jengland2@unl.edu
402-472-2141
Application Checklist and Deadlines
Required by the Office of Graduate Studies
- Application for Graduate Admission for a graduate certificate objective
- $50 non-refundable application processing fee
- One set of transcripts, uploaded to MyRED (see upload requirements)
- If your native language is not English: verification of English proficiency
- If you are not a US citizen and you hold an F1 visa: concurrent admission to a degree program, because a certificate alone is not sufficient for F1 status
See also: steps to admission.
Required by the Department for this Certificate
- Letter of Intent
- Department Graduate Certificate Application Form
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and/or graduate)
- Completion of at least one undergraduate or graduate course in special education with a grade of B or better
- Previous experience with children with disabilities (preferred)
Application Deadline
Fall semester: July 1; Spring semester: October 1Courses
The Intellectual and Sensory Developmental Disabilities graduate certificate is a 15-credit hour program. To earn the Certificate, participants must complete the requisite coursework with grades of B- or higher in all classes.Required
SPED 880: Intellectual Disabilities; Fall (on campus only) or Spring (online) TermSPED 846: Foundations of Visual Impairment; Spring Term
SPED 872: Psych and Soc of Deafness; Fall Term
SPED 960: Family-School Collaboration; Spring or Fall Term
One elective from the following
SPED 863: Medically Fragile Infants; Summer TermSPED 882: Specialized Instruction for Students with Severe & Multiple Disabilities; Fall Term
SPED 809: Autistic Spectrum Disorders; Fall Term
SPED 836J: Career Education for Special Vocational Needs; Fall Term
More Course Information
The Graduate Bulletin provides course descriptions, prerequisites, degree program requirements, and more.The Schedule of Classes specifies dates, times, locations, and instructors when this course is offered.
Related Pages
Students interested in Intellectual, Sensory, and Developmental Disabilities also may want information about:Explore all areas of study:
Departments: Have an update for this page? Contact Becky Eby.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran's status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.