| Total credits | Estimated resident cost | Estimated Washington border cost | Estimated non-resident cost |
|---|
| Graduate Certificate - 35 | $23,592 | $25,517 | $32,202 |
| Master’s Degree - 45 | $28,175 | $30,650 | $39,245 |
Program cost estimates are based on 2025/26 PSU tuition and fees only. This chart is provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion. Additional fees may apply depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue and the specific courses for which you enroll, so you may also find it useful to review detailed tuition and fee information and the full cost of attendance for PSU programs. Financial aid and scholarship options may be available to offset program costs. Visit COE Scholarships for specific details on how to qualify and apply. |
Curriculum
The Added Special Education Endorsement program (AddSPED) prepares licensed Oregon teachers with the pedagogical and practical skills needed to effectively teach, support, and advocate for students with a wide range of disabilities. The curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of state and federal regulation, and proven methods for creating effective instructional environments. Students will learn approaches for student advocacy, family collaboration, and transition planning. They will learn evidence-based strategies and behavior analysis to design individualized supports for students with disabilities and promote access to the general curriculum. The program provides practical experience through supervised clinical practica, taken alongside related coursework, to apply instructional methods.
Course descriptions
For full course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.
Program format
Modality
In-Person: This program is held in person with classes held on-campus.
Part-time
Time to completion: Two years
Scheduling
Summer courses are typically scheduled during business hours (9am-5pm), meeting from 1 to 4 days per week. Courses taken during the academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring terms) meet one night per week beginning at 5:30pm. Three-credit courses run until 8:10pm, while 4-credit classes run until 9:20pm
Weekly Estimated Time Commitment
The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. PSU operates on the quarter system, and terms last 10 weeks.
Graduate school is a big commitment; please consider this information as a starting tool to help you gain a sense of the time commitment. Students learn differently and you may find that it takes you more time to complete the coursework on a weekly basis. Generally, a graduate program is more intensive and should require more time on homework than undergraduate courses; therefore, we recommend planning for more time than the minimum.
Students in this program generally take 6–7 credits per term and should expect to spend at least 12–14 hours per week outside of classroom time on homework and related activities.
As the program progresses, students engage in experiential learning through practicums which take additional time to complete. Generally, practicum requires approximately 10 hours per week over the course of the term in a special education setting.
Program of Study
Cohort: This program operates as a cohort model, meaning that students follow a set program of study with a group of peers, learning together and providing a peer-support network. The program of study below outlines these classes term-by-term.
Program of study
| Year 1 | CR |
|---|
| Summer |
| SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 516 Classroom Assessment, Instruction, and Behaviour Management (ELEM) | 4 |
| Fall |
| SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom | 3 |
| SPED 537 Reading Assessment and Instruction (ELEM) | 4 |
| Winter |
| SPED 522 Comprehensive Individualized Assessment and Curriculum I | 3 |
| SPED 526 IEP and Collaborative Teaming | 3 |
| Spring |
| SPED 523 Comprehensive Individualized assessment and Curriculum II | 3 |
| Year 2 | CR |
| Summer |
| SPED 532 Inclusive Practices | 2 |
| Fall |
| SPED 509 Professional Practices Practicum Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Winter |
| SPED 512 Diagnostic Assessment | 4 |
| SPED 509 Professional Practices Practicum Seminar 2 | 3 |
| Total Program Credits | 35 |
Students wishing to complete a master’s degree will need to take 10 additional credit hours which include the following classes:
- SPED 596 Topics in Special Education Research (Summer - 3 credits)
- SPED 597 Topics in Special Education Issues and Practices (Fall - 3 credits)
- SPED 506 Special Project (Winter - 3 credits)