Special Education Generalist Endorsement Only
Introduction
The Special Education Generalist Endorsement is designed for currently licensed teachers seeking career advancement and the expertise needed to work effectively with students with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. The program is fully accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and guided by the Council for Exceptional Children's Professional Preparation Standards.
Recommendations for endorsements are made by the Special Education Program, but endorsement is granted by the state of Colorado. Individual state requirements vary and may include teaching experience and examinations in addition to a valid teaching credential. Students should consult with the Colorado Department of Education or the state in which they wish to be endorsed for the most updated endorsement requirements.
Students are responsible for reviewing the Special Education Resources website regularly, including the Handbook and SPED course rotation.
SPED Courses may be offered in online, hybrid, remote, or face-to-face formats. SPED course formats can vary by semester and some courses are offered only once per year.
If you’re required to complete internship, the Praxis Exam - 5354 “Special Education Core Knowledge & Application” must be passed prior to final internship.
Click here for information about preparing for the Praxis 5354.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, the Praxis 5205 will be a Colorado Department of Education required licensure exam for any teacher applying for added endorsement in special education generalist with the following allowances:
• Current elementary and special education candidates in a Colorado approved educator preparation program who have attempted and/or passed all or even one subtest of the Elementary Praxis 5001 series prior to Oct. 1, 2021, will not be required to take Praxis exams 5901 and 5205, as long as they submit for their initial license or added endorsement no later than Dec. 31, 2022.
Full information about CDE’s Praxis requirements for the Special Education Generalist Endorsement, can be found here by scrolling down to “Special Education Generalist Ages 5-21”.
Program Requirements
This course plan does NOT lead to MA degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| Listed in recommended sequence | ||
| SPED 5030 | Understanding (dis)Ability in Contemporary Classrooms 1 | 3 |
| SPED 5300 | Family, Professional, and Community Collaboration | 3 |
| SPED 5151 | Slashing Stigmas: Promoting Positive Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED 5500 | Transition and Secondary Methods in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5740 | Intersections of Literacy, Culture, & Exceptionality | 3 |
| SPED 5780 | Literacy Intervention for Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| SPED 5140 | Assessment: Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 5010 | Intentional Interventions for Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| Additional Courses as Necessary 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- 1
Waived if SPED 5030 Understanding (dis)Ability in Contemporary Classrooms is already completed or if SPED 4030 already completed at the undergraduate-level
- 2
Based on a comprehensive record review (i.e. teaching experience & classroom placements), SPED 5932 Special Education Generalist Internship and Site Seminar III and Site Seminar III and/or SPED 5933 Special Education Generalist Internship and Site Seminar IV Special Education Generalist Internship and Site Seminar IV may be required at the discretion of SPED program faculty. Some students may also be required to complete prerequisite coursework in content areas, which is determined upon faculty review of program applicants.
Active Status
Students must complete their programs within seven years, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 (B average). Please refer to the Student Handbook for information on Academic Probation. Students typically take four courses each calendar year. Failure to enroll over three continuous semesters will result in a requirement to submit readmission materials.