Special Education Approvals

Special Education Supervisor

Those who wish to obtain full approval as Supervisor of Special Education must:

• possess an earned master's degree;
• have full approval in at least one area of special education;
• three years of successful experience in special education;
• verification of enrollment in the supervisor of special education program from a college or university approved by the state board of education for preparation of special education supervisors.

Continuation of temporary approval is dependent upon the satisfactory completion of not less than 6 semester or equivalent hours of required credit toward full approval before the beginning of the next school year. 

Any person who has completed all program requirements in effect before the effective date of these rules shall be eligible for full approval as a supervisor of special education. 

Special Education Core

• TE 535 Multi- Multi-Disciplinary and Family Collaboration 3 cr.  
• TE 541 Evidence-Based Practices II 3 cr.  

Administrative Core  

• EDL 631 Analysis and Digital Skills 3 cr.  
• EDL 640 Special Education Administration 3 cr.  

Important Reminders

• Special education supervisors/directors who are new to the position are required to hold the school administrator certificate if hired after January 4, 2010, and they are responsible for administering instructional programs. 
• Those who were in those positions before January 4, 2010, completed continuing education, and were responsible for administering instructional programs are not required to hold the certificate because of the “grandparenting” clause.  However, the school district, public school academy (PSA) or intermediate school district (ISD) has the local authority to require the certificate if they so choose in lieu of the clause. 
• The school district, PSA or ISD has the local authority to decide whether the school administrator certificate is needed for those special education supervisors/directors who do not have the responsibility of administering instructional programs. 
• After January 4, 2010, the certificate is mandatory if the persons are new to the position of supervisor/director/administrator and are responsible for administering instructional programs. 

For temporary approval, a director of special education shall possess all the following minimum qualifications: 

• A master’s degree or higher.
• Full approval in at least 1 area of special education.
• Three years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in education, or a combination of practice and experience.
• Twelve semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit in special education administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education.
• The college or university approved for the preparation of special education directors shall verify enrollment in the director of special education preparation program and completion of 12 semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit. 

Continuation of temporary approval is dependent upon the satisfactory completion of not less than 6 semester or equivalent hours of required credit toward full approval before the beginning of the next school year. 

Any person who has completed all program requirements in effect before the effective date of these rules shall be eligible for full approval as a director of special education.

• EDL 631 Analysis and Digital Skills 3 cr.  
• EDL 640 Special Education Administration 3 cr.  
• EDL 641 Special Education Law 3 cr.  
• EDL 642 Special Education Finance and Budgeting 3 cr.  
• EDL 702 Contemporary Issues in Educational Leadership 3 cr.  
• EDL 703 Strategic Planning and Managing Change 3 cr.  
• EDL 704 Research Methodology 3 cr.  
• EDL 706 Human Resource Management and Development 3 cr.  
• EDL 720 Internship in Administrative Specialty Area 3 cr.  
• TE 535 Multi- Disciplinary & Family Collaboration 3 cr.  

For interest in either program please contact 989-964-4057, option #1 to set up an appointment with our Certification Officer or submit program inquiry form.