Special Education Certificate (CAS.SPECE)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Certificate in Applied Science

29 Credit Hours

This certificate helps enhance the skills of special education paraeducators and is open to those with no experience. This certificate is organized with standards from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Paraeducators working with children from birth through age eight will be provided adequate training related to experiences in typical growth and development, curriculum issues, exceptionality, and early intervention, communication systems, activity therapy, facilitation and environmental management for special education, counseling techniques, creative experiences; and safety, health, and nutrition.

Major Requirements

ASL 101 - American Sign Language I Credit: 4
ASL 102 - American Sign Language II Credit: 4
ECD 107 - Exceptional Children Credit: 3
ECD 207 - Inclusive Care for Infants and Toddlers Credit: 3
ECD 243 - Supervised Field Experience I Credit: 3
ECD 255 - Activity Therapy for Early Childhood Special Education Credit: 3
ECD 256 - Counseling Techniques for Early Childhood Special Education Credit: 3
ECD 259 - Behavior Management for Special Needs Credit: 3
ECD 260 - Methods of Teaching Special Needs Students Credit: 3

Total: 29

Admission Requirements

Admission into this program requires proof of high school graduation (or GED) and qualifying scores on SAT, ACT or the TTC placement test.

Note: Program admission requires that students have a health assessment denoting good health, a negative tuberculosis skin test, and compliance with technical standards. A clear criminal background check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is also required. In addition to SLED background checks, some child development centers and schools may require fingerprinting. Students entering these laboratory courses may opt to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting and a SLED background check are required for the early care and education workforce.