Special Education, Graduate Endorsement (Behavior Intervention Specialist)
Graduate Endorsement in Behavior Intervention Specialist

University of Nebraska at Omaha
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The online Special Education Behavior Intervention Specialist, Graduate Endorsement is designed for teachers and other professionals who work consistently with at-risk youth or who want more specific information about working with children and youth with behavioral challenges.
Students choose the Behavior Intervention Specialist, Graduate Endorsement because:
- Coursework that accompanies practical experiences grounded in learned society theory, research and evidence-based practice.
- They become prepared to facilitate programs for individuals with disabilities.
- Interpersonal skills that make the students members of a valued, collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
- Problem-solving skills allowing candidates to boarded their skills and expertise.
Career Outlook: Special education teachers engage with children and youth that have a wide variety of disabilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for Special Education Teachers will grow by about 8% from 2016-2026. Although most special education teachers work in public schools, some find jobs in the private sector taking care of special needs children in childcare services and other institutions.
Employment in this field is expected to grow 22 percent through 2020, above average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to the school system, there is a high demand for behavior specialists in group homes, residential treatment centers, early intervention centers, local health agencies and the social service sector.
This program benefits individuals who consistently work with at-risk youth and want more specific information for working with children and youth with behavioral challenges.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
2.5 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
A license/certificate required
Valid teaching certificate with special education endorsement
Taken the TOEFL or IELTS
(Only required if English is not your native language)
A written personal statement
Cover topics such as your interest, experience, and career goals.
2 letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all previous schools
For students interested in becoming endorsed in Nebraska, a passing score on the PRAXIS II content test is required
NOTE: If you reside in state(s) KY contact a program adviser before applying.
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application for admissions
- Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee
Courses You’ll Take
Core Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
SPED 8016 | Mental Health in Schools: Risk Factors and Interventions | 3 |
Other Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
SPED 8850 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
The focus of the course will be on interventions which have been effective with students with behavior disorders which include life space intervention, social skills training, anger management, and cognitive behavior modification in multi-cultural settings. This course will prepare special education candidates as dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens who can meet the challenges of their profession in a changing world. | ||
SPED 8870 | Autism Spectrum Disorders: Behavioral Support and Interventions | 3 |
This course is designed to provide information on the behavioral characteristics, instructional needs and necessary curriculum development specifically for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Prerequisites: Admission to the graduate program in special education | ||
SPED 8820 | Characteristics of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
This course is designed to assess and examine the causes and characteristics of behavioral disorders, which constitute internalizing, externalizing, and pervasive developmental disorders. Extensive use of the case study method will be used. This course will prepare special education candidates as dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens who can meet the challenges of their profession in a changing world. | ||
SPED 8860 | Behavior Modification | 3 |
This course is designed to equip candidates with the skills necessary to assess, modify, and evaluate behavior in accordance with best practice and research-based approaches. In addition, this course will train candidates on how to conduct a functional behavioral assessment and create behavioral intervention plans in accordance with IDEA. This course will prepare graduate candidates as dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens who can meet the challenges of their profession in a changing world. |
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $351.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $403.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1053.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1209.75
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $457.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $509.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1371.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1527.75
About Faculty
University of Nebraska online courses are taught by expert faculty who embody the qualities resulting from research experience and professional/field experience. Students learn from faculty with a variety of backgrounds, many of whom are published researchers in their fields. NU faculty who teach online do so in a way that optimizes learning within the online modality and because technology enables students to access education they may otherwise may not be able to pursue.
Application Deadlines
Rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.

