ALL PROGRAMS | College of Education & Human Development Programs
We offer a large selection of professional certifications and teacher endorsements within special education.

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Varies based on program (see courses tab below)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: June 15 – Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement – Online
  • Fall: July 15 – Special Education Autism Endorsement, Special Education Preschool Endorsement, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Endorsement – Online
  • Spring: Does not admit
  • Summer: March 1

Special Education Endorsements

Talk to the department
Sanquinette Vaughn
404-413-8040
[email protected]

The Georgia State University Department of Learning Sciences offers several endorsements for advanced study in specific areas within special education for currently certified teachers or teacher candidates currently enrolled in a teacher certification program.

Endorsements add to the body of knowledge that special education teachers possess and are offered as a supplement to teacher certification rather than a replacement. Teacher candidates seeking initial certification in special education should pursue the M.A.T. in special education.

Our special education endorsements include:

Special Education Autism Endorsement

This endorsement provides general and special education teachers with advanced knowledge in teaching students with autism. This endorsement does not replace the requirement of holding either a special education general curriculum or special education adapted curriculum certificate.

Special Education Preschool Endorsement

This endorsement provides special education teachers with advanced knowledge in teaching preschool-aged learners with disabilities. To be eligible for the endorsement, individuals must hold a level four (4) or higher renewable professional certificate or be concurrently enrolled in a special education teacher certification program at Georgia State.

Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement - Online

This endorsement provides general and special education teachers along with other school-based practitioners with advanced study in dyslexia and other reading disabilities. The endorsement provides foundational reading skills and theories, and provides educators with deep and broad knowledge of instruction and assessment related to reading and writing with an emphasis on dyslexia and other reading disabilities.

This endorsement is offered as a fully online endorsement for students enrolled in the dyslexia and other reading disabilities endorsement (who are not also seeking teacher certification or a higher degree).

Program Details

Special Education Autism Endorsement

Application Deadline:

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Autism Education Endorsement, Non-Degree program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application)
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Proof that you meet certification requirements in Georgia
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration. Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

Special Education Pre-School Endorsement

In addition to full-field teacher certification preparation, Georgia State University offers preparation for state certification endorsements in some specific areas of training, service, and leadership. All such programs require acceptable teaching or appropriate school experiences and admission to the College of Education & Human Development as graduate students. Program applicants must be fully certified teachers.

Application Deadline

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Special Education – Preschool Endorsement, Non-Degree program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application). Brief statement that explains the professional and academic goals that you hope to accomplish by completing this program of study.
  • Proof that you meet certification requirements in Georgia
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration. Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement

Application Deadline:

Fall: Does not admit
Spring: Does not admit
Summer: March 1

When applying to the Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement, Non-Degree program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application — statement should outline the following: (1) Describe your previous experience teaching students with dyslexia/word-level reading difficulties. As part of this, please describe any prior training or professional learning that you’ve had to improve your instruction for students with dyslexia/word-level reading difficulties; (2) Describe your motivation for pursuing this endorsement. Please include information on how you will use this experience to improve the reading outcomes of students with dyslexia/word-level reading difficulties.
  • Proof that you have an active teacher certificate or license in Special Education (upload teaching certificate to application)
  • Official Transcript(s): minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302.

Program of Study

Special Education Autism Education Endorsement

This endorsement prepares general and special education teachers to teach students with autism. An individual with the Autism Endorsement has strengthened and enhanced competency levels for working with students with autism. This endorsement does not replace the certification requirement of holding the appropriate special education base-field certificate for working with students with autism.

Total hours for endorsement: minimum of 12 semester hours

View catalog for details.


Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement – Online

The Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities endorsement is designed to provide general and special education teachers along with other school-based practitioners with advanced study in Dyslexia and other reading disabilities. The endorsement provides foundational skills in the theories that undergird reading and provides educators with deep and broad knowledge of instruction and assessment related to reading and writing skills with an emphasis on Dyslexia and other reading disabilities. This endorsement does not lead to certification, and a practicum experience has been omitted as a reflection.

Twelve semester hours of coursework are required for the Dyslexia and other reading disabilities endorsement for professionals holding a clear, renewable state license or certificate in an eligible, related field (teaching, service, and/or leadership).

All coursework for the endorsement must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher.

Total hours for endorsement: minimum of 12 semester hours

View catalog for details.


Special Education Pre-School Endorsement

All coursework for the Preschool Special Education endorsement must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher.

Nine semester hours of coursework are required for endorsement in preschool special education for professionals holding teacher certification in early childhood education, special education or speech language pathology. Completion of the coursework requirements below, as designated, qualifies the students for endorsement in preschool handicapped education.

Total hours for endorsement: minimum of 9 semester hours

View catalog for details.

Description

Careers

This program gives teachers the credentials they need to teach students with Autism.

Contacts

Program Coordinators

Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities, and PBIS
Lauren Boden
[email protected]

Autism
Carina De Fazio
[email protected]

Preschool Special Education
Sarah Hansen
[email protected]

Learning Sciences
[email protected]
404-413-8040

Mailing Address & Office Location
Learning Sciences
College of Education & Human Development
Suite 750
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

College of Education and Human Development Logo30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.