Director of Special Education Graduate Certificate
Find your purpose and help students realize their full potential.
Do you want to grow into a leader dedicated to ensuring a quality education for all students? Our Educational Administration certificate pathway to prepare for Minnesota licensure as a Director of Special Education can help you transform into that competent, bold leader. This graduate certificate program is designed for those with a master’s degree and a special education teaching license who are seeking a Director of Special Education license in Minnesota.
This fully online program helps you develop school special education administrative leadership and essential management skills. Minnesota State competencies for special education directors are embedded in courses throughout this 18-month program. By combining organizational leadership theories with practical skills needed by school administrators, you’ll be ready to become a leader in effective learning organizations.
Our curriculum is practitioner-focused, led by faculty with practical leadership experience. You’ll build your knowledge base and discover innovative tools to become a leader in your school and district by learning how to:
- Be responsible for the oversight, evaluation, and supervision of special education programs.
- Work closely with special education teachers, principals, administrators, parents, and community members to ensure all students receive appropriate educational services.
- Apply leadership competencies to develop and implement special education programs and curriculum assessment and evaluation.
- Implement best practices for recruitment and selection of special education staff and specialists.
Today’s school leaders must develop strategies to ensure effective education for all learners. They must be able to communicate with multiple audiences, build and inspire teams, and engage parents and communities in their mission to improve schools. That is why Saint Mary’s is committed to preparing educational leaders of both character and competence.
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Program Highlights
Get more, in less time, with our fully online program to become a licensed Director of Special Education. Learn practical management skills and what it takes to be a leader in complex special education settings. Help ensure all students receive the appropriate education services to thrive in school and beyond.
Program Features
What Makes it Special
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Complete this program in as little as two years -
MN Administrative Licensure preparation
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Attend an annual two-day summer residency on the Minneapolis Campus
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Practitioner-led faculty representing various areas of expertise
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Saint Mary’s Alternative Pathway program available for those wishing to explore this option
What You'll Learn
What You'll Learn
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Lead educational institutions/departments through collaborative, visionary planning and decision making
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Promote, create, and monitor appreciation and cultivation of diversity
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Interpret, develop, and implement local, state, and federal policy and law
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Facilitate planning and development of curriculum, assessment, and instruction
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Design, implement, and support instruction, assessment strategies, and behavior management
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Practice ethical leadership, ensuring the best interest of all learners
Course Catalog
Education is our pillar.
For over a century, Saint Mary’s has educated the next generation of teachers and leaders. With its strong reputation in preparing highly skilled teachers and administrators, the School of Education offers initial teaching licensure programs, graduate programs for practicing teachers, and a doctoral program in educational leadership.
Career Outlook
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2019-20, students with disabilities in public schools accounted for 14% of all students, demonstrating the need for strong leadership in administrative roles.1 In Minnesota, a Director of Special Education makes an average annual salary of $111,728.2
1. National Center for Education Statistics, Annual Reports and Information Staff, Students With Disabilities at https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgg#:~:text=In%202019%E2%80%9320%2C%20the%20number,of%20all%20public%20school%20students (visited April 14, 2022).
2. Salary.com, Director of Special Education Salary in Minnesota at https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/director-of-special-education-salary/mn#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20Director,falls%20between%20%2499%2C452%20and%20%24125%2C075. (visited April 19, 2022).