Graduate Inclusive Adolescence Education

Welcome to the Graduate Inclusive Adolescence Program! The Department of Adolescence Education offers dynamic programs of study for graduate students seeking to understand, support, and challenge adolescent learners in today's schools. Graduates of our programs are skilled in differentiating curriculum and instruction to meet the diverse needs of today's adolescent learners. Our graduates are lifelong learners who have developed skills in building supportive relationships with adolescent learners, utilizing instructional and assistive technology, collaborating and co-teaching across a variety of educational settings, and utilizing positive classroom management strategies.

Our programs are structured and research-based, yet they are designed to provide you with opportunities to explore individualized topics and areas of interest. Join us and make a difference in teaching and learning in today's secondary schools!

Dr. Jim Black, Director
Graduate Inclusive Adolescence Education

Program Overview
Field Placements/Practicum/Student Teaching
Advisement
Admissions

Program Overview

There are four Graduate Inclusive Adolescence Education programs:

The Initial Certification program is a 48 credit hour program designed for students who do not currently hold teacher certification. It leads to initial certification in two areas:
- Adolescence Education in your Content Area Major (Grades 7-12). We offer English, Social Studies, Mathematics Biology, Chemistry, and Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, German, and Italian).
- Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Adolescence Level
  (Grades 7-12)
The Additional Certification, same developmental level, program is a 36 credit hour program designed for students who currently hold Adolescence Education certification in English, Social Studies, Mathematics Biology, Chemistry, or Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, German, or Italian) and want to add Teaching Students with Disabilities certification. It leads to initial certification in:
- Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Adolescence Level
  (Grades 7-12)
The Additional Certification, changing developmental levels, program is a 39 credit hour program designed for students who currently hold certification at another level (e.g. Childhood) and who meet the content area prerequisites for English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, German, or Italian) and want to obtain Adolescence Education certification in that area. It leads to initial certification in two areas:
- Adolescence Education in your Content Area (Grades 7-12)
- Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Adolescence Level
  (Grades 7-12)

4. Professional Certification Program has been developed for students who

currently hold initial certifications in both a content area (grades 7-12 and Teaching

Students with Disabilities (grades 7-12). Contract Dr. Craig Hill for information

5. Adolescence Certification for Career Change Emphasizing Secondary School

(ACCESS) Programs This program is designed to prepare students to teach at the middle and high school level who already hold a master's degree or a higher degree from an accredited institution with a mjor in a secondary content area or for the individual who has a bachelor's/master's or higher degree in one field but is pursuing courses and certification in another field.

View the Graduate Catalog for specific course requirements and descriptions.

Students in the Graduate Inclusive Adolescence Education programs may also be eligible to enroll in an annotation and/or extension program. Students may use their program elective towards completion of one of these annotations and/or extensions. Click on the following links for more information:

Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities Annotation: Challenging Behavior Focus
Bilingual Extension
Gifted Education Extension

Field Placements, Practicum and Student Teaching Experiences

Student teaching/practicum applications are available on-line or from the Office of Field Placement Services in GAC, Room 225. Applications are due well in advance of the semester in which students are completing the experience:

Fall semester - Applications are due mid-November of the prior year
Spring semester - Applications are due mid-April of the prior year
Summer semester (practicum only) - Applications are due mid-February

Field placement guidelines for the Department of Adolescence Education.

For more detailed information about field placements, practicum, and student teaching experiences, visit the Office of Field Placement Services.

Advisement

Academic advisement begins with New Student Orientation, typically scheduled about a month prior to students' first semester in the program. At orientation, students receive general information about the program, design their academic plan for program completion, and register for courses. Continued advisement is available throughout students' programs.

To view the Advisement Forms please click on one of the following links:

Admissions

Initial Certification

Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a B average in the major field. (There are liberal arts and specific content area prerequisites for the Inclusive Adolescence Education Initial Certification program. See the Graduate Catalog for detailed information.)
Presentation of official transcripts
Two letters of recommendation
Application and fee
Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form

Additional Certification

Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a B average in the major field. (There are liberal arts and specific content area prerequisites for the Inclusive Adolescence Education Additional Certification changing developmental level program. See the Graduate Catalog for detailed information.)
Presentation of official transcripts
Two letters of recommendation
Application and fee
Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form
Copy of teacher certification