Advanced Special Education Practices Certificate
Online & Hybrid
Flexible options
245K+ Alumni worldwide
Become a member of NU’s global community
Year-round enrollment
Our admissions team reviews applications year-round
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Certificate Fee: $799
Empower Every Learner: Build Expertise in Inclusive Education
Grow Your Impact in Special Education
Whether you’re a paraprofessional, teacher aide, or certified educator, continuing education is part of the journey, and we’re here to make it meaningful. National University’s Special Education Certificate program is a flexible, fully online course designed to help you meet your CEU requirements while building real-world strategies you can apply in your classroom right away.
This self-paced program focuses on practical tools for supporting students with disabilities, including inclusive teaching practices, behavior management techniques, and effective collaboration with families and IEP teams. You’ll also deepen your understanding of key frameworks like IDEA and Section 504, explore the power of differentiated instruction, and get hands-on with assistive technology that helps all learners thrive.
Aligned with the Praxis II Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications, this course is a great fit for educators looking to stay current, meet professional learning goals, and strengthen their ability to reach every student.
Because when you grow your skills, you grow your impact.
Key Benefits
- Develop expertise in special education to enhance career opportunities
- Gain practical, job-ready skills for supporting students with disabilities
- Meet CEU requirements while preparing for the Praxis II exam
- Advance your ability to collaborate effectively in inclusive classrooms
- Learn on your schedule with 100% asynchronous, fully online coursework
- Access dedicated career services to support your next professional step
Certificate Fee: $799
About the Advanced Special Education Practices Certificate Program
If you work alongside students with disabilities as a teacher aide, paraprofessional, or general education teacher, you already know how important support is. National University’s Advanced Special Education Practices program is here to help you grow those skills and take your impact even further.
This 100% online, self-paced professional development course is designed with busy educators in mind. You’ll build confidence in key areas like classroom support, behavior strategies, assistive technology, and legal frameworks such as IDEA, ADA, and Section 504. You’ll also learn how to collaborate effectively with IEP teams and families, because every voice matters in a student’s success.
Whether you’re earning CEUs, preparing for emergency licensure through Praxis II, or thinking about stepping into a special education role, this course helps you move forward with purpose. It can even count as pathway credit toward NU’s Bachelor’s or Master’s in Special Education.
Special Education Teacher Course Learning Outcomes
- Design effective safe classroom environments to promote student achievement
- Apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies through scenario-based analysis and case studies
- Evaluate the use of assistive technologies and adaptive tools to enhance accessibility and support student learning
- Demonstrate an understanding of when to use different types of assessments to inform instruction and implement evidence-based interventions
- Analyze data from ongoing assessments and recommend instructional adjustments to support individualized learning goals
Learning Outcome Alignment
This program will align with the standards needed to pass the Praxis II Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications.
Online Special Education Course Program Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this program.
Stack Your Courses for Academic Credit
If you’re planning to pursue your Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education at National University, the Advanced Special Education Practices program can help you get a head start. This professional development course is eligible for academic credit on both the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
By completing this course, you’ll not only build practical, real-world skills for working with children with disabilities — you’ll also save time and money on your path to a degree.
To be eligible for credit, you must successfully complete the Advanced Special Education Practices program and meet any additional documentation or assessment requirements set by NU’s academic team. An advisor can walk you through the simple process of applying your completed course toward your bachelor’s program.
Online Special Education Course Outline
- Unit 1: Foundational Knowledge in Special Education
- Unit 2: Support for Inclusive Education
- Unit 3: Behavior Management and Intervention
- Unit 4: Collaboration and Communication
- Unit 5: Use of Assistive Technology and Tools
- Unit 6: Ethical and Professional Practices
- Unit 7: Practical Skills for Classroom Assistance
Online Special Education Course Learning Objectives
Foundational Knowledge in Special Education
- Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of various disabilities, including learning, physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities
- Articulate the key principles of special education laws, such as IDEA, Section 504, and ADA, and their implications for classroom practices
Support for Inclusive Education
- Apply strategies to support students with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings
- Assist teachers in implementing differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles
Behavior Management and Intervention
- Use positive behavior strategies to foster a supportive learning environment
- Assist in conducting and implementing Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
Collaboration and Communication
- Collaborate effectively with teachers, families, and IEP teams to support student goals
- Communicate clearly and empathetically with students, parents, and colleagues to enhance understanding and engagement
Use of Assistive Technology and Tools
- Utilize common assistive technologies and adaptive tools to enhance accessibility and learning for students with disabilities
- Provide hands-on support to students using these tools in classroom settings
Ethical and Professional Practices
- Adhere to ethical standards and confidentiality requirements in special education
- Demonstrate professionalism in interactions with students, families, and colleagues
Practical Skills for Classroom Assistance
- Support the implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) under teacher supervision
- Help monitor and document student progress to provide data for assessments and program adjustments
Employment/Career Opportunities
- Paraprofessional/Teacher Aide: Supporting special education students in classroom settings by implementing lesson plans and behavior management strategies
- Inclusion Specialist Assistant: Working alongside general education teachers to integrate students with special needs into mainstream classrooms
- Behavioral Support Aide: Supporting students with behavioral challenges through intervention plans and monitoring progress
- Title I or Intervention Aide: Assisting students from underserved backgrounds, including those with disabilities
- Early Intervention Specialist Assistant: Helping identify and support children with developmental delays or disabilities in preschools or childcare centers
- Special Needs Advocate: Assisting families in navigating education systems and advocating for services
- Program Coordinator for Disability Services: Managing educational or recreational programs for children with disabilities
- Behavioral Technician: Implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques under the guidance of licensed therapists
- Special Needs Counselor Assistant: Supporting youth with disabilities in therapeutic or counseling settings
Contact Us
To speak to a Professional and Continuing Education program coordinator about this certificate, please email [email protected] or call 805-200-2332.
Certificate Fee: $799
Frequently Asked Questions
Students can register and start the certificate anytime! Click here to register.
Yes. Successful completion of the Advanced Special Education Practices allows students to receive academic credit for one course toward the Bachelor’s or Master’s of Special Education degree.
All learners are eligible to apply. There are no specific admissions requirements. It is recommended that learners have a high school diploma or GED.
The Advanced Special Education Practices course is designed to be completed in 15 weeks, with approximately 75 hours of completion time.
Yes, the program is 100% self-paced. All resources are included in the program.
The certificate registration fee is $799. Students can register here and checkout with a credit card or contact [email protected] to discuss payment options.
Students can enroll at any time by clicking here and completing the registration steps.
Certificate Fee: $799
Why National University?
National University is the one online university that takes a holistic, whole-human approach to student well-being. It means we’ll be with you side-by-side, every step of the way, breaking any barriers you face in achieving your education. Our supportive ecosystem measures success across five support pillars, including academic, financial, social/emotional, career, and family life.
At NU, you’ll be part of a family: a connected, engaged, and inspired community of students from across the country and around the globe. From the day you start your first class, you’ll have the support of our faculty and staff, backed by a diverse community of students and alums, who can help you reach your educational and professional goals.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
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