The responsibilities of special education leaders are highly complex requiring advanced skills, knowledge and competences to lead the programs and services that address the instructional, behavioral and social needs of students with disabilities. These leaders are responsible for establishing a vision regarding special education services and to establish a plan and budget to ensure that the vision meets the educational needs of all learners.

Special education leaders develop educational programs and services for students with special needs and they work closely with teachers, parents and other school administrators to provide the best education experience possible. They collaborate and coordinate with parents on a daily basis especially to resolve conflicts that occur between schools and families.

Special education leaders coordinate the activities of teachers and support staff for school special education programs. As administrators, they provide leadership and utilize decision-making skills to oversee the instructional programs and offerings for an entire school, district, or system.

Special education leaders interact with school administrators, general and special education faculty, social workers, counselors and psychologists, therapists, and other professionals that provide special education services. These supervisors also perform a variety of administrative tasks related to policy implementation, compliance with legal regulations, and maintaining educational standards.

The online Special Education Leadership certification program is designed to prepare students to be supervisors of special education programs. Those who complete the program are equipped with the advanced skills, knowledge, and competencies to head initiatives that meet the needs of students at risk for and with disabilities in a variety of environments.

This certification program is for individuals who possess a valid PA Instructional I or Instructional II Teaching Certificate and who have a minimum of five years of professional school experience in special education or a related field. It is ideal for teachers who want to qualify for the Pennsylvania state Supervisor of Special Education certification.

Additional Admissions Criteria

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPA will be considered along with undergraduate GPA)
  • If you do not meet this requirement, you’re still encouraged to apply and your file will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Program Director
• PA teacher certification (for those seeking PA Supervisor of Special Education Certification)

Required Documents

With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting Drexel Online's Completing Your Application Guide.

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
• Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
• An essay describing why you're interested in pursuing this program
• Proof of PA Certification (for those seeking PA Supervisor of Special Education Certification)
• Additional requirements for International Students

The online Special Education Leadership certification program is part-time, flexible, and convenient. The program consists of 25 credits: 9 core credits and 16 Special Education Leadership concentration credits, organized in 10-week quarters. Candidates must also complete field experience hours and a 300-hour supervised internship if seeking certification.

Students​ ​who​ ​hold​ ​a​ master's​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​Special​ ​Education​ will​ ​find​ ​that​ ​this​ ​program builds​ ​upon​ ​their​ ​previous​ ​studies​ ​and​ ​allows​ ​them​ ​to​ ​seamlessly​ ​continue​ ​their education. Course​ ​descriptions​ ​may​ ​be​ ​found​ ​in​ ​the​ Drexel​ ​University​ ​Course​ ​Catalog.

The Special Education Supervisor certification program is offered 100% online. You can get started by filling out the Drexel Online application.