Official Certificate Program: Transition Specialist

• The Transition Specialist Official Certificate Program (OCP) is designed to prepare post bachelors professionals and those who already hold a license or certification in Special Education, School Counseling, School Psychology, Social Work, Rehabilitation or general counseling to promote successful post-school employment and/or education outcomes of youth and young adults with disabilities. A certificate in advanced graduate work is issued upon completion of a combination of 16 to 18 credits of selected 500-level courses, with a grade of B or better, designed for the certificate program.

Admission requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or related field; or hold a professional license or certification as a Special Education Teacher, School Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, Rehabilitation Counselor or Counselor;
• Two years of experience working in their respective field of special education, school guidance, school psychology, social work, rehabilitation, school psychology, or general counseling;
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70(some programs require a 3.00) on a 4.00 point scale (where A is 4.00), or its equivalent, and good standing (3.00 GPA) in all post-baccalaureate course work in required
• Completion of Graduate Online Application process: Students must formally apply to Graduate Admissions by completing the application form, paying the non-refundable application fee of $50, and having official transcripts for each course taken sent by each previously attended University (excluding CCSU) directly to Graduate Admissions. Applications are accepted year round; for application deadlines, see www.ccsu.edu/grad/admission/deadlines.html

Additional Materials Required;

• Two current professional recommendations;
• Written essay-description of student's motivation for advanced graduate study, past experience and future professional goals; and
• Interview with program faculty

Instructions for uploading the recommendations and essay will be found within the online graduate application.

Admitted students are required to have taken either SPED 315 Introduction of Educating Learners with Exceptionalities or SPED 501 Education of Exceptional Learner (3 credits) or equivalent before beginning the program. 

Course Requirements

Requirements List

SPED 503	Evidence-Based Practices for Diverse Learners	3
SPED 566	Legal and Administrative Issues in Special Education	3
SPED 541	Person-Centered Planning and Transition	3
CNSL 522	Appraisal Procedures in Counseling	3
CNSL 585	Foundations of Career, Vocational, and Community Resources for Transition Services	3
SPED 527	Internship in Inclusion and/or Transition Services	1-3
Total Credit Hours:		16-18

Total Credit Hours: 16-18