In​ ​the​ ​current​ ​education​ ​system,​ ​demand​ ​is​ ​high​ ​for​ school​ ​administrative​ leaders who​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​students​ ​requiring​ ​special​ ​education.​ ​Many​ ​school districts​ ​nationwide​ ​are​ ​reporting​ ​difficulty​ ​with​ ​finding​ ​individuals​ ​with​ ​adequate training​ ​to​ ​lead​ ​these​ special​ ​needs​ programs.​ ​Additionally,​ ​legislation​ ​emphasizing training​ ​and​ ​employment​ ​for​ ​individuals​ ​with​ ​disabilities,​ ​and​ ​educational​ ​reforms requiring​ ​higher​ ​standards​ ​for​ ​graduation​ ​have​ ​increased​ ​demand​ ​for knowledgeable,​ ​certified​ ​supervisors.

​Special ​Education ​Supervisor ​Job ​Responsibilities

Special education supervisors develop educational plans for students with special needs and they work closely with teachers, parents and other school administrators to provide the best education experience possible.

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

The​ ​online​ Supervisor​ ​of​ Special​ ​Education​ Supervisor​ 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.

Special ​Education ​Supervisor ​Certification Enrollment ​Requirements

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

Special ​Education ​Supervisor ​Certification Courses ​& Curriculum

The​ ​online​ Supervisor​ ​of​ Special​ ​Education​ Supervisor​ certification​ ​program​ ​is part-time​,​ ​flexible,​ ​and​ ​convenient.​ ​The​ ​program​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​28​ ​credits:​ ​12​ ​core credits​ ​and​ ​16​ ​Special​ ​Education​ ​Leadership​ ​concentration​ ​credits,​ ​organized​ ​in 10-week​ ​quarters.​ ​Candidates​ ​must​ ​also​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​60​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​field experience​ ​and​ ​a​ ​300​ ​hour​ ​supervised​ ​internship​ ​if​ ​seeking​ ​certification.

In​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​the​ required​ ​certification​ coursework,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​build​ ​a​ ​professional e-portfolio​ ​which​ ​displays​ ​their​ ​mastery​ ​of​ ​the​ ​knowledge,​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​competencies​ ​in the​ ​area​ ​of​ ​special​ ​education​ ​leadership.

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.

How ​to ​Apply ​to ​the ​Special ​Education ​Supervisor Certification ​Program

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