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Increase your teaching power

Additional Licensure in Special Education

Already a Licensed Teacher? The University of St. Thomas School of Education makes it easy to add an additional license in Special Education. We offer licensure in 6 different disability areas. Our programs are made to fit your busy schedule, with all license options available fully online. Depending on your previous experience, you can earn an additional license in as few as 9 credits. You can also add an additional Special Education licensure through our 2024 Summer Institutes. 

Special education is a rewarding career where you can make a difference. At St. Thomas, we prepare educators with strong teaching skills through evidence-based, culturally responsive coursework that helps address the widespread critical teacher shortage in special education.

We offer two unique degree pathways depending on your previous experience. For prospective students who already have a teaching license in Special Education, you can add another SPED license from our 6 concentrations below. For teachers who earned their initial license in a general education area, you can earn your first SPED license with an MA through our MA in Special Education Program.

Where you'll learn:

On-campus in Minneapolis or Online

When to start:

Courses offered year-round: Fall, Spring, and Summer

Contact

Barbara Jo Stahl

Adjunct Faculty, Off-campus Coordinator
Email
education@stthomas.edu
Phone Number
(651) 962-4398

Special Education Concentrations

Educators specializing in Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS) learn to meet the mild to moderate needs of learners from kindergarten through age 21 in the primary disability areas of autism spectrum disorder, developmental cognitive disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders, specific learning disabilities, and other health disabilities.

Educators specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learn to meet the needs of learners with autism from birth to age 21 (B-21) in areas such as academic achievement, socialization, communication, and behaviors.

Educators specializing in Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD) learn to meet the needs of learners from kindergarten through age 21 in areas such as academic achievement, cognitive development, adaptive behaviors, and functional skills.

Educators specializing in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) learn to meet the needs of learners from birth through six with motor, sensory, health, communication, social-emotional or cognitive disabilities.

Educators specializing in Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) learn to meet the needs of students from kindergarten through age 21 in the areas of academic achievement, behaviors, emotional development, and socialization.

Educators specializing in Specific Learning Disabilities learn to meet the needs of learners from kindergarten to age 21 (K-21) including from those who are emergent in basic academic skills in the areas of cognitive and emotional development.

FACULTY

Headshot of Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan

L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan

L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan, Ph.D. is a Professor in Special Education. She coordinates the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, and the Work and Learn programs. Additionally, she works on our Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) and Teacher Quality Partnerships (TQP) grants.

READ MORE ABOUT L. LYNN STANSBERRY BRUSNAHAN
Headshot of Shelley Neilsen Gatti

Shelley Neilsen Gatti

Shelley Neilsen Gatti, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in Special Education. She coordinates the Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Residency programs. Additionally, she works on our Black Educator Initiatives (BEI) and Teacher Quality Partnerships (TQP) grants.

READ MORE ABOUT SHELLEY NEILSEN GATTI
Headshot of Todd Busch

Todd Busch

Todd Busch, Ph.D. is a Professor in Special Education. He coordinates the Academic Behavioral Strategist and Specific Learning Disabilities Programs.

READ MORE ABOUT TODD BUSCH
Headshot of Bonnie Ingelin

Bonnie Ingelin

Bonnie Ingelin, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Special Education. She coordinates the Early Childhood Special Education Program.

READ MORE ABOUT BONNIE INGELIN
Headshot of Barbara Jo Stahl

Barbara Jo Stahl

Barbara Jo Stahl, Ed.S. is an Executive Fellow in Special Education. She coordinates the Work and Learn Programs. In addition to teaching, she supports marketing and recruitment for special education.

READ MORE ABOUT BARBARA JO STAHL
Headshot of Laura Medwetz

Laura Medwetz

Laura Medwetz, M.S. is an Adjunct Faculty in Special Education. In addition to teaching, she supports special education student teaching and the edTPA assessment.

Want to talk to someone to learn more?

Attend an online information Session

Join us for an online information session to learn more about all the ways you can pursue a Special Education licensure or degree.