Director of Special Education Certification Program
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The University of Louisville's Director of Special Education Certification Program is designed to be a cohort-based program meeting the requirements of the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). This program provides each candidate with experiences allowing for comprehensive exposure to the relevant and essential performance standards facing the contemporary Director of Special Education.
The Director of Special Education certification program was designed by full-time faculty at the University of Louisville's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) within the Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and Organizational Development (ELEOD). Also working in the design process were practitioners in the field, including current superintendents, assistant superintendents, and directors of special education.
Contact Us about our DOSE program
View the general admission requirements, other requirements, and professional licensure information for Educational Administration (Rank 1)
Director of Special Education Certification Program In Depth
This program may be used to fulfill Rank 1 requirements in Kentucky, and is completed in a Graduate, non-degree seeking status. Candidates interested in completing a degree program, as well as certification for Director of Special Education, should consider the EdS in Educational Administration.
Opportunities for Graduates
The need is great in Kentucky for Special Education professionals. For the 2020-2021 school year, the most recent for which statistics are available, Kentucky has 171 public school districts with over 1,400 schools and in excess of 90,000 exceptional education students (ages 6-21). The federal and state regulations guiding their education demands highly knowledgeable professionals capable of both advocacy and action.
The Director of Special Education coursework and subsequent certification by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board allows access to the following positions (the title and scope of responsibilities for these positions may differ by district):
- Special Education (Exceptional Children) Director, Assistant Director, Program Coordinator, Assistant Program Coordinator
- Special Education Resource Specialist
- *Principal
- *Assistant Principal
- *Supervisor of Instruction
- *Superintendent
- *Assistant Superintendent
*Some positions may require additional coursework for certification
This program may also prepare special education professionals to pursue positions in social service agencies and non-profit organizations.
Click on a course name (ex. "LEAD 649 ") in the requirements for further information about courses. Information includes class description, prerequisites (if any), terms offered, among other information.
Supervising and Resource Teachers
In recognition of valuable service to the preparation of teachers and the need for all teachers to have continual professional growth, a supervising teacher or a resource teacher for teacher interns may, with prior approval of the course-offering institution, take a maximum of six (6) credit hours per term at any public postsecondary institution and pay no tuition. The postsecondary institution shall waive the tuition up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours.
To apply, you must complete the Tuition Waiver Certification for Supervising and Resource Teachers Application. It should be completed by the supervising teacher, certified by their principal, and returned to our office. Return the form to the Student Financial Aid Office at U of L, attention: Wesley Partin.
Eligibility: 6 credit hours of tuition benefits for each semester served as a full responsibility supervising or resource teacher, or 3 credit hours of tuition benefits for each semester served as a shared supervising or resource teacher. Students may exercise the tuition waiver option up to twelve months following the assignment. Tuition benefits are paid directly to the University of Louisville.
Contact Debbie Powers, Ed.D
Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, & Organizational Development
The University of Louisville
1905 South 1st Street
Porter Building, Room 369
Louisville, Kentucky 40292
debbie.powers@louisville.edu
502-852-6428
FAQs: Director of Special Education Certification Program
Yes. With the exception of two additional courses, the Ed.S. and the Director of Special Education certification are the same. Most of our current students are those who are in the Ed.S. and have special education backgrounds.