Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification Program

The Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification Program is designed for Rider University graduate students who currently hold a regular New Jersey instructional certificate in another field.  The sequence of courses fulfills the requirements for New Jersey certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities.  The course sequence is designed to provide a knowledge base in current theory and practice in special education.

Program Goals

This graduate certification program is designed to prepare teachers who currently hold a New Jersey instructional certificate to meet the needs of all students, whether it is in the role stipulated in their current certificate or as a special education teacher.

Students who complete the 21 credit Certification Program may apply to continue in the Master of Arts in Special Education Program.  If accepted, recent credits completed for certification will transfer into the Master of Arts in Special Education Program. Click here to view information about the MA in Special Education program.

The goals of this program are to:

• Strengthen the preparation of all teachers to meet the needs of all children, particularly those with disabilities, in the general education classroom
• Prepare certified teachers to teach students with special needs in inclusive classrooms and self-contained classrooms
• Provide the opportunity for graduate students at Rider University to enhance their qualifications to meet increasing demands from school districts for teachers in this area of expertise

The graduate education certification program for teacher of students with disabilities includes a minimum of 21 semester-hour credits required by the State of New Jersey for endorsement as a teacher of students with disabilities.  Students must possess an existing certificate of eligibility in another area. 

A total of 50 hours of practical experiences in special education settings, completed on an ongoing basis throughout the program, must be completed by all students at the end of the program.

Course Sequence

Introductory Courses (6 credits)

• SPED 512 Psychology of Exceptionality
• SPED 514 Positive Behavior Support

Core Courses (15 credits)

• SPED 523 Inclusive Educational Practices (Prerequisites:  SPED 512, SPED 514)
• SPED 525 Transition to Adult Life  (Prerequisites: SPED 512, SPED 514)
• SPED 531 Assessment for Instruction in Special Education  (Prerequisites: SPED 512, SPED 514)
• SPED 535 Instructional Practices for Children with Severe Disabilities  (Prerequisite: SPED 531)
• SPED 510 Capstone Course: Instructional Practices for Children with Mild Disabilities (Prerequisites: All courses in Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification Program)

Additional Courses
The following supplemental courses are recommended for students who wish to expand their knowledge of students with special needs.  These courses may be taken over and above the core program sequence.

• SPED 522 Literacy and Students with Special Needs
• EDPS 508 Psychology of Cognitive Processes and Learning
• CURR 531 Curriculum Development and Design
• CNPY 514 Psychopathology
• ECED 507  Emergent Literacy P-3
• ECED 522  Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education