Special Education Certificate Online programs are a great way to learn more about the field of special education and how it can be applied in your community. These certificate programs are offered by colleges, universities and other educational institutions, as well as by private companies. A Special Education Certificate Online program is a good way to broaden your knowledge base and get a better understanding of the field.
Special education is the teaching of children with various disabilities. It includes educating children who have physical disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional disturbance or intellectual disability. These children are taught using various strategies and methods. They may be taught through individual or group lessons. Some of the methods used include visual aids, videos, books, music and computer-aided instruction.
The main objective of special education is to provide the students with appropriate instruction for their disability. The teaching techniques used in this field are based on research. This allows teachers to use the latest information to teach their students effectively. Special education teachers must also be able to understand their students’ needs and personality traits in order to meet their needs appropriately.
Special education is a broad field, requiring teachers who are trained in a wide range of topics and skills. But many special education certificate programs have the same basic offering: an overview of the U.S. educational system and its special education laws, an introduction to the most common special education diagnoses, and courses on classroom management and instructional methods for individuals with disabilities.
In general, a certificate program focuses on the “how-to” of working with students with disabilities, while a master’s degree program focuses more on theory. Most online certificate programs require six to 12 courses; master’s degree programs require 30 to 42 credits, with coursework lasting two years.
Coursework may be divided into specific categories depending on whether the program is offered at a school of education or through another department at a university. At an education school, for example, you might find a block of courses on learning theory, child development and classroom management; these are likely to be grouped together as “foundations of instruction.”
At other schools, though, these topics might be covered by individual courses in different departments (psychology and curriculum studies). They could also fall under an umbrella called “theory of teaching children with disabilities.”
Many online schools offer certificate programs in special education. These programs are designed to help prepare educators for a career working with children with special needs, including those who have physical or mental disabilities, developmental delays and learning disabilities. Some of these programs are designed to help individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in education earn additional credentials that may make them more marketable to schools looking to hire someone to work with special needs students. Other programs are designed to help individuals without a teaching background earn their bachelor’s degree and become certified in special education at the same time.
Special education is an important field of study that helps teachers, parents, and other professionals supporting students with special needs learn about their needs, specialties, and how to best work with them. Special education is a common area of study for people who wish to become teachers or school administrators, but it can also be useful for other people who interact with children in a professional capacity.