Certificates

Radford University offers a variety of certificates (graduate, post-professional, and post-baccalaureate) in various areas to expand your knowledge and skills as an educator. Some certificates may lead toward an add-on endorsement from the VDOE. Click the links below to learn more about each certificate. 

• Autism Studies
• Reading Specialist
• Mathematics
• Special Education, Adapted Curriculum
• Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Special Education, Early Childhood
• Special Education, General Curriculum
• Special Education, Visual Impairment
• Special Education, General Curriculum for K-12 Educators

Autism Studies

The Certificate of Autism Studies is designed to prepare personnel to educate and support individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The program consists of four courses (12 semester hours) covering the Skill Competencies for Professionals and Paraprofessionals as outlined by Virginia’s Autism Council and is based on empirical research and best practices. There is no Virginia licensure in the area of ASD. Those who complete the program will receive Radford University’s Post Baccalaureate Certificate of Autism Studies. Required courses are:

Required Courses

• EDSP 500: An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
• EDSP 501: Approaches for Supporting and Teaching Individuals with ASD
• EDSP 502: Expanding Social Competence for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• EDSP 670: Proactive Classroom Management and Advanced Positive Behavior Support

Although the certificate is not available to undergraduates, the courses are available to them as EDSP 400, 401, 402, and 462 and will be listed on their transcripts.

Mathematics

The Mathematics Education Certificate Program consists of six courses (18 semester hours) providing professional development for licensed high school mathematics teachers across the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics content strands. Those who complete the program receive Radford University’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mathematics Education. 

• Mathematics Certificate Information (PDF)

Required Courses

• MATH 600: Foundations of the Number System
• MATH 623: Algebraic Reasoning and Mathematical Structures
• MATH 630: Algebra and Functions for Secondary Teachers
• MATH 635: Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry
• MATH 641: Mathematical Analysis and Modeling
• STAT 644: Applied Statistics for Teaching

Special Education, Adapted Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education, Adapted Curriculum is designed to provide specific background, education, and tools to students to address the needs of K-12 special education learners with significant disabilities including intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. The program will educate students about the defining characteristics and extensive needs of these learners. Students will learn how to design and implement specially designed adapted instruction to enable the participation and success of these learners in academic and functional activities. Graduates will be prepared to teach and support K-12 learners with significant disabilities in the adapted curriculum.

Required Courses

• EDSP 663 - Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSP 664 - IEP, Assessment and Program Planning for Adapted Curriculum (3 credits)
• EDSP 665 - Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSP 674 - Teaching Students with Individualized Adapted Curriculum (3 credits)

Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is designed to provide specific background, education, and tools to students to address the education needs of preK-12 learners who are deaf and hard of hearing. The program will educate students about the etiology of hearing loss and the learning needs of preK-12 learners who are deaf and hard of hearing. Students will develop knowledge and skills in supporting deaf and hard of hearing learners who may be using various communication modalities/languages. Graduates will be prepared to teach and support preK-12 learners who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Required Courses

• EDSP 526 - Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (3 credits)
• EDSP 527 - Curriculum and Methods for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3 credits)
• EDSP 625 - Audiologic Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
• EDSP 628 - Language Development and Literacy for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3 credits)

Special Education, Early Childhood

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education, Early Childhood, is designed to provide specific background, education, and tools to students to address the needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities. The program will educate students about the characteristics and needs of young children with both typical development and those who are at-risk or have disabling conditions such as autism or cerebral palsy. Students will develop knowledge and skills in assessment of children with learning disabilities. Graduates will be prepared to teach and support young children with disabilities who are enrolled in preschool settings.

Required Courses

• EDSP 602 - Speech-Language Disorders & Development: Birth to Five Years (3 credits)
• EDSP 639 - Medical Aspects of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSP 648 - Family-centered Intervention and Program Management in Early Childhood Special Education (3 credits)
• EDSP 686 - Instructional Programming to Teach Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities (3 credits)

Special Education, General Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education, General Curriculum is designed to provide specific background, education, and tools to students to address the needs of learners with disabilities in general education classrooms, including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and autism. The program will educate students about defining characteristics and needs of these learners. Students will learn how to design and implement specially designed instruction and collaborate with content area teachers to ensure the academic success of these students. Graduates will be prepared to teach and support K-12 learners with disabilities in the general curriculum.

Core Courses

• EDSP 645 - Instructional and Adaptive Methods in Mathematics (3 credits)
• EDSP 646 - Instruction and Intervention Strategies in Reading and Writing for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSP 672 - Characteristics of Learners with Disabilities who Access the General Education Curriculum, K-12 (3 credits)

Grade-Level Method Course

• EDSP 675 - Teaching Students with Exceptional Learning Needs in the Elementary General Curriculum (3 credits)

OR

• EDSP 676 - Teaching and Transitioning Exceptional Learners in the Secondary General Curriculum (3 credits)

Special Education, Visual Impairment

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education, Visual Impairment is designed to provide specific background, education, and tools to students to address the needs of preK-12 learners with blindness and visual impairments. The program will educate students about the etiology, characteristics and assessment of visual impairment and blindness. Students will develop knowledge and skills to adapt classroom materials. Students will learn to identify, and implement instructional strategies and accommodations for visually impaired learners. Graduates will be prepared to teach and support preK-12 learners who are blind and visually impaired.

Required Courses

• EDSP 650 - Characteristics of Students with Visual Impairment (3 credits)
• EDSP 653 - Teaching Methods for Students with Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSP 654 - Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSP 655 - Braille Code (3 credits)
• EDSP 656 - Braille Reading and Writing (3 credits)
• EDSP 657 - Curriculum and Assessment for Students with Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSP 658 - Medical and Educational Implications of Visual Impairments (3 credits)
• EDSP 659 - Orientation and Mobility for Students with Visual Impairments (2 credits)

Special Education, General Curriculum for K-12 General Educators

The Post-Professional Certificate in Special Education, General Curriculum is designed to provide specific background, education and tools to K-12 teachers to prepare them to address the needs of students with disabilities in the general curriculum classroom. The program will educate students about the learning characteristics and needs of learners with disabilities. Students will develop knowledge and skills in assessment and evaluation. Students will learn to implement evidence-based instructional strategies in reading, writing, and mathematics. Graduates will be prepared to teach and support K-12 learners with disabilities who are in general curriculum classrooms.

The Post-Professional Certificate in Special Education, General Curriculum provides a route to the Special Education, General Curriculum Add-On Endorsement for practicing licensed K-12 teachers. It will provide graduates with the necessary coursework and credential to obtain an endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum at either the elementary, middle, or high school level. Licensed K-12 teachers who successfully complete the requirements of this certificate will be eligible to apply to the Virginia Department of Education for the Add-On Endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum (elementary, middle, or secondary).

Core Courses

• EDSP 645 - Instructional and Adaptive Methods in Mathematics (3 credits)
• EDSP 646 - Instruction and Intervention Strategies in Reading and Writing for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
• EDSP 669 - Diagnostic and Assessment Procedures for Individuals with Disabilities (3 credits)

Practicum Course

• EDSP 600 - Practicum in Special Education (1 credit)

Grade-Level Method Course

• EDSP 675 - Teaching Students with Exceptional Learning Needs in the Elementary General Curriculum (3 credits)

OR

• EDSP 676 - Teaching and Transitioning Exceptional Learners in the Secondary General Curriculum (3 credits)