Special Education Generalist K-12, Graduate Endorsement
Graduate Endorsement in Special Education Generalist K to 12

University of Nebraska at Kearney
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The online Special Education Generalist with an emphasis in K-12, Graduate Endorsement is designed for individuals who have a passion for special education.
Why choose this program:
- Gain a knowledge base and competencies to teach special education.
- Individualized instruction is designed to meet your specific needs.
- Obtain a certificate in Special Education in the state of Nebraska.
- Pursue your master's degree while working on this endorsement.
Students pursuing certification in other states must check with their State Department of Education for certification requirements.
Note: For those who have a bachelor's degree in a major other than education, you can pursue an initial teaching certificate in special education K-12 online. In addition to the K-12 special education program coursework, you will also need to complete the professional sequence courses.
Coursework from this endorsement program may apply toward the online Special Education, MA Ed with an emphasis in K-12.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Teacher Certification in any discipline. Initial teaching certification may be obtained through this program with the completion of additional courses.
NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application for admission
- Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee
Courses You’ll Take
Course Information
Core Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
TESE 876P | Transitional Issues for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
Assessment planning and instruction to facilitate educational and employment post-school outcomes will be emphasized. Federal and state laws governing minimum transition practices will be covered. Assessment, transition planning, services, interagency collaboration, resources and instruction will be discussed to facilitate a successful transition. | ||
TESE 837P | Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
This course provides students with a general knowledge of the medical conditions seen in children with disabilities. It will familiarize students with terminology, medications, procedures, equipment, and interventions used for children with medical complications. Teacher responsibilities in regards to medical conditions will be covered. | ||
TESE 830 | Consultation and Collaboration with Families and Agencies Serving Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
This course provides students with the theory basis of collaboration. Students will learn to work with families and other professionals from all cultural and economic backgrounds, gain knowledge concerning family systems, the impact of having a child with special needs and legal and procedural safeguards. | ||
TE 805P | Overview of Assistive Technology | 3 |
This course examines the applications of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities as it relates to teaching and learning. Existing research with students with special needs will be reviewed and new applications of existing and developing technology will be explored. | ||
TE 805P or TE 886P | Select one: Overview of Assistive Technology or Technology Tools for Teachers | 3 |
Overview of Assistive Technology (TE 805P): This course examines the applications of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities as it relates to teaching and learning. Existing research with students with special needs will be reviewed and new applications of existing and developing technology will be explored. Technology Tools for Teachers (TE 886P): This course will focus on using technologies in an instructional environment with an emphasis on ethical, human, legal and social issues, methods and skills appropriate to planning and designing learning environments and instructional management methodologies using appropriate materials, methods, resources and curricula for integrating technology. | ||
TESE 873 | Teaching Students with Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
The course is designed to prepare future educators to provide services for individuals with multiple disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on interventions for life skills, communication, and academics. In addition, future educators will gain knowledge on issues of mobility and positioning which will enhance a child's ability to reach their full potential. Accommodations and modifications to allow the child to be included in the general education curriculum will also be explored. | ||
TESE 875P | Preparing Adolescents for the Post-Secondary World | 3 |
This course is designed to address the instructional needs of secondary students with disabilities to prepare them for life after high school graduation. Alternative secondary placements will be discussed as well as post-secondary options such as Technical Schools and College. Students also learn how to develop self-advocacy skills and post-secondary accommodation plans. | ||
TESE 879P | Teaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to teach Social and Personal Skills for students with disabilities. Students will be exposed to various Social and Personal Skills programs and strategies that are presently available that have been designed for students with special needs. The development of role play, problem solving, social story, and social script techniques will be emphasized. In addition, students will be able to develop individualized instruction for students based on needs assessment data. Students will also apply their knowledge of age appropriateness in the development of social and personal skills lessons. | ||
TESE 867 | Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning | 3 |
This course is designed for graduate level students to examine function-based behavior intervention strategies individuals with disabilities who engage in challenging behavior. Students will be taught basic elements of functional analysis that includes: defining, observing, and recording behaviors as well as the creation of graphic displays for analysis. Ethical standards for behavior management, crisis intervention, and positive behavioral support will be highlighted. This course contains a functional assessment/intervention field component. | ||
TESE 863 | Research Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
This course is designed to address the wide range of instructional needs of students with disabilities. Students will learn to synthesize and evaluate research on instructional techniques for classroom application. Academic instructional interventions will be emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge of lesson development and classroom management strategies. Contains a field component. | ||
TESE 861 | Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
This course provides students with the competencies needed to develop individualized programming for children with exceptionalities. Verification criteria, parent's rights, IEP development and implementation, goal and objective development, placement procedures and IEP monitoring will be emphasized. | ||
TESE 862 | Formal and Informal Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
This course is designed to introduce students to the assessment process in special education by addressing procedural safeguards; data collection via informal and standardized procedures; issues in assessment; psychometric properties of standardized tests; and administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected instruments. | ||
TESE 872 | Strategies for Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
The course is designed to prepare future educators to provide services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on interventions for life skills, communication, vocational and functional academics. Additional interventions will include community-based instruction, study skills and assessment of alternate curriculum. Accommodations and modifications to allow the child to be included in the general education curriculum will also be explored. |
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $315.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $367.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $945.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1101.75
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $444.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $496.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1332.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1488.75
Sue Kemp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Practice
Sue Kemp has spent 13 years working with students with behavioral disorders and learning disabilities—both as a teacher and administrator. She has served on numerous state and national committees whose mission is to provide better education to students with disabilities and is the current and past president for Nebraska state Councils for Exceptional Children and current president of the eNebraska Council for Children with Behavior Disabilities. She teaches courses—both onsite and online—in behavior management and instructional methodology.
Application Deadlines
- Fall SemesterJul 10
- Spring SemesterNov 10
- Summer SessionApr 10

