A quality education is something every student deserves. Portland State University’s College of Education is responding to the need for more licensed special education teachers by offering a 39-credit special education endorsement program that is designed for Oregon teachers with general education licenses. If you are an elementary or secondary teacher, you can add this Special Education Added Endorsement (AddSPED) endorsement to your license. Gain tools to adapt and teach subject areas to students with disabilities, and learn effective instructional techniques from experienced PSU faculty and seasoned community professionals who will guide and mentor you.
AddSPED helps you bring inclusion to your own classroom to create a space where all students can learn. Responsive teaching is needed to maintain equity in education. Expand your opportunities to teach students ages 3–21 who have a range of support needs by blending evidence-based research with creative classroom practices. You'll understand the importance of responsive and effective teaching; creating and sustaining meaningful community partnerships; and developing and disseminating research to advance educational theory, practices, and implementation. Stand up for all students, meet their challenges with real progress, and provide equity in education.
Program benefits
- Gain valuable hands-on experience through collaborative clinical practica
- Understand the importance of equity and inclusion for all students
- Benefit from your peers’ knowledge and experience in our unique cohort model
- Experience incredible value: Learn from well-respected faculty engaged in a wide variety of applied research projects—and do so in convenient locations and at an accessible price
Program specifics
- Part-time over six terms
- Enjoy the flexibility of a fully online program with synchronous meeting times to build community and learn through collaboration, discussion, and community
- Includes clinical field experiences (practica) that are taken along with complementary coursework, to provide opportunities to apply instructional methods to practice
- Does not require a full-time student teaching experience, allowing candidates to maintain full- time employment throughout the program
- Allows you to add on a master’s degree at the completion of your endorsement program with the addition of a nine-credit research core
- Focus on six areas: scaffolding instruction, collaboration and teaming, individualization, data- based decision-making, inclusion and diversity, and leadership and advocacy
PSU’s AddSPED endorsement program is part of the largest Department of Special Education in Oregon. Our program welcomes collaboration and values community-based partnerships to support children, youth, families, school districts, and agencies throughout the state. Our committed faculty and their strong partnerships with community agencies help you explore a wide range of expertise in special education. This includes instructional methods, autism, positive behavior supports, inclusion, assessment, early intervention/early childhood, transition to adulthood, and visual impairments.
PSU is the public research university for the Portland metro area. The faculty in the Special Educator License program are intensely involved in improving special education services and instruction in Oregon and the nation through developing research-based curricula and teaching methods, setting up model classrooms and programs, and building collaborative relationships within schools and between schools and the community that improve education for students with and without disabilities.
AddSPED graduates are well-prepared to work with a wide range of students in a variety of instructional settings. Possible roles include both teachers and alternative careers for teachers: self-contained special education classroom teachers, learning specialists, resource room teachers, inclusive/co-teaching roles, and transition specialists.
Graduates of the AddSPED endorsement program are eligible to add an endorsement in special education to their Oregon preliminary or professional license. This endorsement will enable you to teach PreK–12 students who have a wide range of disabilities. Possible roles include both teachers and alternative careers for teachers: self-contained special education classroom teachers, learning specialists, resource room teachers, inclusive/co-teaching roles, and transition specialists.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the state’s Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.