Program overview

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education Interventionist K-8 & 6-12 develops equity-focused knowledge and skills for teaching K-12 students with diverse exceptionalities. It suits K-12 teachers (endorsed or not in exceptional education), administrators supporting special populations, non-endorsed professionals in K-12-adjacent roles, and homeschooling educators. Tennessee-licensed teachers may pursue an additional endorsement through this coursework, pending transcript review, licensure exams, and advisor approval.

The 12-credit-hour program, offered through Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, includes SPED 515, 516, 542, and 553, and must be completed within five years while maintaining a 3.50 GPA.

Why study Special Education Intervention?

Special educators are among the most urgently needed professionals in K-12 schools today, and this certificate prepares you to meet that need with both skill and purpose. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies for teaching students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and other academic challenges, while building the assessment expertise to identify and support diverse learners effectively. This program is grounded in equity, helping you serve students from a wide range of backgrounds and exceptionalities with confidence and care.

Whether you’re a licensed teacher looking to add a valuable endorsement, an administrator preparing to lead inclusive schools, a professional whose work touches K-12 education, or a parent homeschooling a child with unique needs, this certificate deepens your ability to make a real difference. In just 12 credit hours, you’ll gain practical, classroom-ready expertise that expands your career opportunities and impact.

What can you do with a graduate degree in Special Education Intervention after graduation?

A graduate credential in Special Education Interventionist K-8 & 6-12 opens doors across a range of K-12 education roles. Licensed teachers can pursue an additional endorsement in special education, qualifying them to teach students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and other exceptionalities in Tennessee public schools—often in high-demand positions with strong job security. Beyond the classroom, this credential prepares administrators and instructional supervisors to lead more inclusive schools, shape special education policy, and support teachers working with diverse learners. Professionals in adjacent fields, such as museum educators or public-service agency staff who regularly collaborate with K-12 schools, gain deeper expertise to strengthen those partnerships. The training also equips graduates to serve as instructional coaches, assessment specialists, or intervention coordinators, roles that rely on strong skills in identifying learning needs and designing individualized support plans. For those homeschooling children with exceptionalities, the coursework offers practical, research-based strategies to better meet their child’s needs at home. Ultimately, this certificate builds a foundation of equity-focused, evidence-based practice that translates into meaningful, in-demand careers—whether in direct instruction, leadership, advocacy, or specialized support roles—while positioning graduates to make a lasting impact on students who need it most.