Special Educator I Endorsement Program Description

Eastern Oregon University offers practicing and pre service teachers who possess a basic or an initial teaching license opportunities to pursue their interests and professional objectives in the field of special education. The Special Educator I Endorsement Program is designed to provide comprehensive training and experience to prospective teachers of learners with disabilities. Course work, field experience, and practica are balanced within the program to meet individual teacher preparation needs. The program provides theoretical and applied instruction pertaining to the characteristics of exceptional learners, the legal and procedural aspects of special education, assessment, planning, instruction, behavior management, collaboration and critical issues in the field.

Credit hour Requirements

The Special Educator I Endorsement authorizes teachers to teach exceptional learners at the early childhood / elementary level and / or at the middle / high school level. The Special Educator I Endorsement Program, with a single level authorization requires the completion of 32 - 36 credit hours of specified course work, fieldwork and practicum experiences. A second level authorization requires the completion of an additional 11 - 15 credits of specified fieldwork and practicum experiences.

Course Offerings and Schedule

The Special Educator I Endorsement Program is offered through a cohort model over a two-year cycle and is designed to meet the needs of working professionals. The program begins with a three week summer session offered on the Eastern campus. During the ensuing academic year, approximately one course per term is provided to students throughout the region through a combination of delivery methods. A second three week summer session on the Eastern campus is followed by a second academic year of courses offered via distance education. Course offerings are sequential in content and scheduling and need to be completed in the order in which they are offered over the two year cycle.

Coursework completed for the Special Educator I Endorsement may be applied toward the Master of Science degree in Education.

The admission requirements for the Special Educator I Program are:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree
• Completion of basic / initial teaching license
• A grade point average of 3.0 in upper division and graduate course work
• Admission to Eastern Oregon University

Application Procedure

• Completed Special Education Endorsement Program Application
• Copy of current teaching license and letters from TSPC, where applicable
• Three recent letters of recommendation addressing teaching ability, scholarship and character
• Copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts
• Copies of test results, where applicable
• Completed Character Questionnaire
• Completed Application for Graduate Admission to EOU

Students accepted into the Special Educator I Endorsement program will receive extensive advising to assist them in developing a program plan that coordinates their professional goals and timelines with University requirements and offerings.

Program Completion Requirement

• Program completion and recommendation for Oregon licensure require that candidates:
• Complete all required coursework with a grade of C or better.
• Maintain an overall grade point average in the program of 3.0 or better.
• Complete work samples required in the culminating field work and practicum assignments
• Demonstrate average or higher levels of competency in all areas indicated on the Special Educator I Competency Evaluation form, as rated by University and site supervisors.
• Obtain passing scores on the National Teacher Exam / Praxis Specialty Area tests.

For Additional Information Contact

Virginia C. Kelly, Ph.D.
Coordinator / Associate Professor, Special Education

Eastern Oregon University
One University Blvd.
La Grande, Oregon 97850

Phone: 541-962-3537, or 962-3644
Fax: 541-962-3701
Email: vkelly@eou.edu

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