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If you have an active, state-issued teaching license or certification and have a desire to increase your effectiveness as a special education teacher, consider earning a special education certificate online from Grand Canyon University. The Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate can help prepare you to complete the requirements associated with the Special Education Mild/Moderate Disabilities endorsement from the Arizona Department of Education. Some states may require additional coursework, exams and/or clearances for licensure or certification.
During this program, you’ll have opportunities to equip yourself with evidence-based instructional methodologies for working with students with exceptionalities. You’ll explore methods of teaching mathematics and language arts, and for fostering positive and productive learning environments for students with a range of exceptionalities. Pursue your passion for empowering students.
GCU’s online mild to moderate special education certificate program is tailored to teach you specialized skills in educating students with exceptionalities. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on best practices in student assessments and research-based instructional strategies. Whether you're a working professional or a busy individual, our online coursework can provide the convenience and flexibility to enhance your academic qualifications while meeting your current work commitments.1
If you’re interested in supporting students with moderate to severe exceptionalities, GCU’s Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education Moderate to Severe may be right for you.
Throughout GCU’s online special education certificate program, you will study specific skills and concepts that can help you empower, instruct and care for your students with high-incident disabilities. These are disabilities more commonly found in the population.2 Most high-incidence disabilities do not inhibit the students’ ability to participate in inclusive educational settings, though some students may require more personalized, self-contained assistance.2
You will be taught to support students with learning needs, including those with:
Communication disorders (speech and language impairments)
Specific learning disabilities
Mild/moderate intellectual disabilities
Emotional or behavioral disorders
Cognitive impairment
Autism spectrum disorder
GCU is committed to providing you with specific coursework that can have the potential to empower you as an educator and help you advocate for those with mild to moderate exceptionalities. You will be taught to support students and their families as they navigate special education services, and to provide individualized learning experiences that meet the students’ needs.
Throughout this special education certificate program, you will explore a diverse range of content areas, including:
This special education certificate online can prepare graduate-level teachers to support their students with mild to moderate exceptionalities.
This certificate can provide professionals who already hold an active, state-issued teaching license or certification with opportunities to work toward developing competencies in working with special education students.
Teachers who focus on special education may be able to pursue positions such as:
In all our academic offerings, GCU prioritizes excellence in education and exceptional instruction. Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Committee, we’re dedicated to preparing learners to tackle current challenges while embracing future opportunities. If you seek a comprehensive curriculum and a dedication to quality education, we welcome you to join our online learning community.
You may find working with students who have exceptionalities to be a fulfilling and rewarding endeavor. However, before choosing the best path for your career, you may wish to do some career-related research. The following frequently asked questions and answers can offer a starting point.
Individuals with mild learning disabilities often maintain high levels of independence and can function socially. They are also able to acquire practical life skills and function in everyday life. However, they do display some developmental progress that is slower than typical and their comprehension may be impaired.3
Those with moderate learning difficulties may require more support for daily tasks. Moderate exceptionalities may include observable delays in speech or motor skill development and may include physical impairments. However, individuals with moderate disabilities are still generally able to perform self-care tasks and execute basic communication. They can exhibit a degree of independence, although they will likely need more support and individualized instruction than a person without exceptionalities.3
Educators who have at least three years of verified full-time teaching experience in pre-K-12 (public or private settings) who wish to obtain the Special Education Mild/Moderate Endorsement from the AZ Department of Education may wish to consider this special education certificate. Working professionals with qualified teaching experience may also benefit from this certificate, which may allow you to continue to work while enhancing your academic credentials.
If you’re already a licensed or certified teacher, you may decide that you’d like to shift to or strengthen your focus on mild to moderate special education. A graduate certificate in special education can allow you to take a closer look at the developmental issues and needs of children with exceptionalities, and how best to connect with them in the classroom. Special education competencies may form the basis for pursuing a career as a special education teacher from preschool through high school.
Mild to moderate special education involves students with mild to moderate disabilities or exceptionalities. These mild to moderate students generally require some extra support and more individualized instruction, as well as some accommodations. Moderate to severe special education involves students with moderate to severe disabilities or disorders. These students typically need more support and extra help compared to mild to moderate students. For example, a student with a severe learning disability may require close supervision and display significant developmental delays, whereas a student with mild to moderate disabilities may be able to progress in the classroom with minimal daily-life interventions.3
Public school teacher requirements typically include a bachelor's degree, state licensure and, in some cases, special education-specific endorsements or programs.4 Each state establishes its own requirements for teacher licensure or certification, including requirements for special education teachers. If you are already a licensed or certified teacher and you wish to focus on special education, a graduate certificate may help you prepare to pursue this path.4
Pursue your passion for working to ensure that all students have access to the education they deserve. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about earning a special education certificate online at GCU.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.
2 Powers, Chloe (2023, July 21). Education And Disability: What Is A High Incidence Disability? Disability Help. Retrieved on Oct. 17, 2023.
3 Gluck, S. (2022, Jan. 16). Mild, Moderate, Severe Intellectual Disability Differences. HealthyPlace. Retrieved Oct. 12, 2023.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to Become a Special Education Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Oct. 12, 2023.
The University will accept one course of the total certificate requirements in transfer.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
