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Sixth-Year Degree in Special Education
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Sacred Heart’s online sixth-year degree in special education equips professionals with the skills to advance their careers to the next level.
Why Earn Your Sixth-Year Degree in Special Education at Sacred Heart?
Sacred Heart University’s flexible, online sixth-year degree in special education is particularly well-suited for working professionals. Clinical requirements are intentionally scheduled during summer sessions to minimize potential employment-related conflicts. All clinical requirements are supported using state-of-the-art technology, allowing for outstanding supervision and feedback to students.
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Who Can Earn a Sixth-Year Degree in Special Education?
Sacred Heart’s 30-credit advanced program in special education is intended for licensed educators who possess a master's degree and are looking to advance their teaching skill-sets and professional opportunities. Graduates are eligible for CT Cross Endorsement in Comprehensive Special Education (165).
Applicants who have not yet earned their master’s degree have the opportunity to complete their special education coursework through SHU's Master of Education in Special Education.
Learning Outcomes
Program completion will equip graduates with the skills to plan, deliver and assess instruction for students with high incidence exceptionalities in accordance with special education law and best practices.
Career Outlook
It is a better time than ever to possess teacher licensure in special education. With a critical teacher shortage in special education, there are significant job opportunities in this area. Sacred Heart's program offers all of the courses a candidate needs to apply to the state for cross endorsement in special education (Endorsement Code 165, Comprehensive Special Education, 1-12). Teacher licensure in special education not only empowers program graduates to become more effective educators with all students; it also increases the types of teaching opportunities graduates can pursue, whether in general education, special education or both.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in special education is projected to grow from 2019 to 2029 and demand for services is expected to rise due to earlier disability identification, resulting in higher enrollment in special education programs. Additionally, federal laws requiring financial support for special education bolsters a strong outlook for job security in this field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the program is specifically designed for working professionals.
No, this is a common misconception. Completing the program will enable graduates to become more effective educators for all students. An added upside to program completion is institutional recommendation for a cross endorsement in special education. Graduates can choose how to use the credential once earned.
One-and-a-half years
There will be two summer practica focusing on high and low incidence disabilities.
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