Indiana University of Pennsylvania is offering a special accelerated program for individuals interested in obtaining a special education teaching certification.
IUP’s Annah Hill, a faculty member in IUP’s Department of School Psychology, Special Education, and Sociology in the College of Education and Human Services and special education graduate program coordinator, secured the $99,330 grant for the program from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
This is the first time IUP has received these grant funds.
Alexandria Lincoln Kappel and William Schleicher, faculty in the Department of School Psychology, Special Education, and Sociology, are part of the program team.
The project is designed to provide colleges and universities that partner with one or more local education agencies to develop or enhance an accelerated program for individuals who currently hold a bachelor’s degree and who want to complete requirements for a preschool/kindergarten to grade 12 Special Education Teaching Certification, including persons with emergency certificates, intern certificates, or paraprofessionals.
“IUP continues to be extremely proud of its teacher preparation programs, and we appreciate the support that this grant will provide to our students entering the field of special education,” said university Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans.
The program includes required university coursework, summer field experiences, mentoring, coaching, and student teaching, and following state guidelines related to postbaccalaureate certification.
The program is designed so that participants can complete the program requirements within an 18-month time period, with most of the formal coursework offered during summer 2025 and summer 2026 through a combination of in-person and virtual options for flexibility and support to the accelerated program participants working full-time.
Persons interested in learning more about the program or applying for the program should contact IUP Graduate Admissions—visit IUP.edu and type Graduate Admissions into the search box.
Funding through the grant may be available for qualified applicants.
“This program is well aligned with IUP’s mission and reputation as a leader in teacher education programs, including special education programs,” Hill said. “IUP also has strong partnerships with area schools,” Hill said. “This is a great opportunity for current teachers who want additional training for special education instruction, as well as bachelor’s degree graduates in other fields who want to enter the field of special education.”
The new program developed by the IUP team includes summer field experiences and extensive mentoring and coaching opportunities from current experienced special educators to help program participants build their knowledge and understanding of the social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs of students with disabilities. The mentoring and coaching program follows the Council for Exceptional Children indicators of quality mentoring programs. The program also includes 12 weeks of student teaching.
The IUP program team is currently working with area school districts and cyber-charter school administrators to provide information about the opportunity.
“We will provide an orientation for the mentors, coaches, and students in the accelerated program, which will include a session where they can meet and plan together with support of IUP faculty,” Hill said.
IUP intends to continue to offer the accelerated program to students beyond the December 2026 grant ending period through continuing its partnerships with a large network of high-need local education agencies (schools), recruitment strategies to bring students into the program, as well as professional development activities for students in the program and recent graduates to help keep them in the field.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, as of the 2023–24 school year, Pennsylvania’s teacher workforce stands at 123,190 educators, with the largest shortages in grades 4–8, special education PK-12, mathematics 7–12, life and physical sciences 7–12, and career and technical education 7–12. The United States Department of Education has designated these areas as critical shortages, and currently, Pennsylvania needs 1,670 special educators.