The King’s College Special Education PK-12 Certification Program is one of just four programs to date to be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This new certification replaces the special education PK-8 and 7-12 certifications effective January 1, 2022.
An important component of the King’s PK-12 program is that almost all of our classes include field experience, giving our students the advantage of applying their study of special education theory and practice in actual PK-12 classrooms. King’s goes the extra step to identify these placements for our candidates (rather than having the students find a school where they can observe classroom activity).
One of our courses is offered on-site at the Graham Academy, which specializes in teaching students with autism. This clinical experience includes coursework focusing on functional behavior assessment and development of behavior intervention plans integrated into the weekly class meetings. King’s students spend time working with the students at Graham Academy to complete these assignments.
Personalized Advising
From day one, all King’s special education students are assigned an advisor knowledgeable about the requirements for certification in special education to help navigate every step of the process.
Double Major Options
In addition to majoring in special education, students can complete a double major with PK-4 in four years, or they can complete an M.Ed./B.A. program in five years, leading to certification in PK-4, Special Education PK-12 or Reading Specialist PK-12. With additional class time or summer courses, the Special Education PK-12 certification also can be combined with other certification areas, including Grades 4-8 or Grades 7-12.
Candidates for the Special Education PK-12 Certification Program must fulfill the PDE's Basic Skills Requirement.