Program schedule

Interested persons must apply to the Department of Special Education. If accepted, students begin the program in the summer. The licensure course work (approximately 41 credit hours) is completed in two years. This part-time program is designed for working teachers. During the school year students take two courses a term. Whenever possible, coursework is scheduled during the school year for the same weeknight from 4:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. Coursework is also scheduled during the summer. It is possible to complete the program as a full-time student if desired.

Students in the Added Endorsement in Special Education complete two practicum and two work samples as part of their supervised field experiences. In Oregon, special educators must complete preparation for teaching students with mild to severe disabilities and the program addresses the continuum of students' instructional needs. Depending on the type(s) of teaching license an individual has been granted by TSPC and their previous supervised student teaching experiences, students in this program may or may not need to complete student teaching in special education. Faculty advisors assist students in determining whether or not student teaching in special education is needed in order to be licensed in special education by TSPC. Students in this program may petition to fulfill their supervised field experience requirements at their work site.

The following diagram gives an overview of the scope and sequence of the Added Special Educator Endorsement program:

Year 1
Prior to admission
3 credits
SPED 418/518 Survey of the Exceptional Learner
Hold a current Oregon Teaching License
Summer Sessions
12 credits
Includes SPED 511, SPED 513, SPED 519 & SPED 526/528
Fall
6 credits
Program coursework continues
Winter
6 credits
Includes Supervised Teaching Experience which requires approximately 9 clock hours weekly on school site plus weekly seminar
Spring
3 credits
Program coursework continues
Year 2
Summer
0 credits
No required classes; can take SPED 590
Fall
6 credits
Program coursework continues
Winter
6 credits
Includes Supervised Teaching Experience which requires approximately 9 clock hours weekly on school site plus weekly seminar
Spring
16 credits
Includes full time Student Teaching (full day, 5 days/week)