A graduate certificate represents completion of a set of courses that provides mastery of a specific area of knowledge. A graduate certificate indicates an advanced, focused inquiry into a defined area of study and is recorded on the student’s transcript. For a degree student, a graduate certificate may indicate an area of specialization; for a professional, a graduate certificate may provide evidence of special expertise. In the Special Education program, we offer three graduate certificates:
All students who intend to pursue a graduate certificate must complete the online application for graduate admission. The certificates in the Fundamentals of Special Education and Secondary Transition Education Specialist may be applied for in the student’s first semester of coursework. In order to apply for the certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, the student must first receive a grade of an A or B in the first two courses in the Applied Behavior Analysis sequence.
A student who is admitted to a graduate degree program is not automatically granted admission to associated graduate certificate programs (including embedded certificates such as an emphasis area). Students enrolled in a graduate degree program who intend to pursue a graduate certificate must apply to add the graduate certificate program.
Students admitted solely to graduate certificate programs:
For information about graduate certificate admissions, visit the Office of Graduate Admissions.
For additional academic policies regarding graduate certificate programs and requirements, see the Graduate College Bulletin.
Note: Under INS regulations, international students may not be eligible to apply solely for a graduate certificate. Students should contact the International Student Services office at (405) 325-3337 for additional information regarding regulations for international students.
Delivery: 100% online, synchronous
Credit hours: 21 (over 6 semesters; about 21-23 months)
Program Coordinator: Marie Kirkpatrick, PhD, BCBA-D (marie.kirkpatrick@ou.edu)
Overview
This certificate prepares you to become a competent and compassionate behavior analyst. You will learn to assess behavior, design and carry out evidence-based interventions, and evaluate whether those interventions work. You will also learn to train and support the teachers, staff, and caregivers who work alongside you.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an effective approach for improving the skills of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The certificate serves practicing educators, professionals who work in or hope to join ABA agencies, and anyone who wants the behavior-analytic coursework without completing a full master's degree. Our graduates work in schools, clinics, centers, homes, and community settings.
Coursework and BCBA Eligibility
Currently, our program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA Pathway 2 eligibility route. Completing the sequence prepares you for supervised fieldwork and the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. OU does not issue BCBA certification. Students apply to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) on their own and must pass the BCBA exam. For current pass rates, visit the BACB university pass rates page. Once a student obtains their BCBA, they can apply for licensure in Oklahoma through the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB).
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
Applying to the Certificate
All students must complete the online application for graduate admission. Note students are admitted for Summer and Fall semesters only. Current OU graduate students who want to complete the sequence as part of a degree program should consult their advisor.
The Fundamentals of Special Education Graduate Certificate prepares students to become Special Education teachers who can effectively teach students with a range of disabilities. The basic program is designed for individuals with limited prior experience in Special Education or to fulfill graduate coursework requirements for those who have attended the OSDE Special Education Bootcamp program.
Most students work full time and take courses each semester in the late afternoon and evening during the week. A limited number of courses are offered during the summer semester. All courses within this certificate are delivered either via a blended format (with the option to meet face-to-face or via a video conferencing platform) or a 100% distance-learning format.
Students who desire to acquire an OU Graduate College Certificate must complete 18 credit hours of coursework. All students who intend to pursue a graduate certificate must complete the online application for graduate admission. If accepted, OU graduate students at the Norman, OUHSC, or Tulsa campuses may take the six-course fundamentals sequence as electives as a part of their graduate degree program or as a separate course sequence leading to the certificate.
The sixth course is a guided elective chosen with your advisor based on your current placement and future goals.
The Secondary Transition Education Certificate prepares students to become secondary transition education specialists who can implement transition education concepts and strategies into secondary special education programs or adult agency programs.
Most students work full time and take courses each semester in the late afternoon and evening during the week. A limited number of courses are offered during the summer semester.
The basic program is designed for individuals with prior certification in Special Education or experience working with individuals with disabilities. Students who desire to acquire an OU Graduate College Certificate must complete 12 credit hours of coursework.
All students who intend to pursue a graduate certificate must complete the online application for graduate admission. If accepted, OU graduate students at the Norman, OUHSC or Tulsa campuses may take the four-course transition education sequence as electives as a part of their graduate degree program.
EDSP 5093: Transition and Self-Determination
EDSP 5193: Postsecondary Education and Employment
EDSP 5293: Transition-Based Assessment
S WK 5293: Direct Practice with Diverse Students, Disabilities and Families
Students in this Transition Education Certificate Sequence who have never taken an introductory course in special education must successfully complete EDSP 5413 either before or concurrently with other courses in this sequence.
All courses within this certificate are delivered either via a blended format (with the option to meet face-to-face or via a video conferencing platform) or a 100% distance-learning format.
In order to qualify for a graduate certificate, a student must be admitted to the graduate certificate program through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Course Credit Requirement for Graduate Certificates:
Required Coursework
For more information, contact Mike Jenkins in the JRCoE Graduate Programs Support office at mjenkins@ou.edu.
In order to qualify for a graduate certificate, a student must be admitted to the graduate certificate program through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Course Credit Requirement for Graduate Certificates:
Required Coursework
For more information, contact Mike Jenkins in the JRCoE Graduate Programs Support office at mjenkins@ou.edu.
This graduate certificate is for teachers/professionals who:
**Reading Specialist certification in Oklahoma requires a recommendation by a nationally-accredited program. We will only recommend those completing the Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate for Reading Specialist certification if they already have a master's degree in another education-related field. We also have a master's degree in Reading Education and a Professional Reading Specialist master's degree for those who would like to be certified as a reading specialist and do not yet have a master's degree.
| Required Courses | |
|---|---|
| EDRG 5573 | Culture, Language and Literacy (course under revision) |
| EDRG 5723 | Emergent and Beginning Literacy |
| EDRG 5814 | Applications of Literacy Assessment and Evaluation |
| EDRG 5934 | Application of Literacy Instructional Strategies |
| EDRG 5903 | Literacy Leadership and Coaching |
| EDRG 5641 | Topics in Literacy |
| Total Hours | 18 |
For more information about the program, contact Jiening Ruan, Ph.D. at (405) 325-1498 or jruan@ou.edu.
