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Transition Specialist Endorsement Certificate
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Credits for Licensure:
15
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Degree:
Post-Master's Certificate
Program Description
This DESE endorsement provides specialized training in assisting students with disabilities and IEPs to transition from school to adult life. The program will provide licensed and experienced educators and counselors with the legal, ethical, and practical knowledge necessary to effectively support students, families, and schools throughout the student's transition. The program requires four courses and a 150-hour field-based experience.
Transition Specialist Endorsement Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Transition Specialist Endorsement Certificate are able to meet the unique and complex educational needs of students with disabilities and IEPs to transition from school to adult life, assist public schools with inter-agency collaboration and coordination, and assist families of students with disabilities and IEPS to participate meaningfully in planning their children’s transition from school to adult life.
Careers and Further Study
Career options are defined by the educator’s original certificate. However, the Transition Specialist Endorsement indicates that the educator has acquired specialized knowledge and skill in assisting students with disabilities and IEPs to transition from school to adult life. School districts have the authority to require candidates to hold or be eligible for the Transition Specialist Endorsement in addition to the original license.
Related Programs at Cambridge College
If you’re still exploring degree options, you might be interested in learning more about these programs at Cambridge College:
Curriculum
15
Credits
Courses required may vary based on transcript analysis.
Additional credits may be required for competencies not satisfied before enrollment; credits may be reduced if any competencies have already been covered acceptably.
Introduction: Foundations & Laws Pertaining to Transition
ABA 725 • 3 credit(s)
This introductory course will provide the historical and legislative background of the development of laws and regulations pertaining to transition. Participants will learn about state and federal transition laws and policies and review past and current legislation and the impact that it has on supports and services for transition-aged youth. In addition, participants will explore current topics in special education related to transition planning and services as well as key terminology, transition resources and supports, career readiness, post-secondary options, and models of effective transition.
Transition Leadership and Effective Collaboration
ABA 705 • 3 credit(s)
This course focuses on the development of effective leadership and collaborative skills to support developing and delivering high-quality transition programs and services to transition-aged youth: Leadership skills supporting effective facilitation and across settings; effective collaboration and consultation skills; the IEP process and identification, development and delivery of transition services; partnerships with employers, institutes of higher education, public/community service agencies, and other stakeholders. Prerequisites: Students must have an Initial or Professional license and at least two years experience as a Teacher of: Students with Moderate (or Severe) Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or a counselor in School Guidance, School Social Worker/Adjustment, Rehabilitation, or certification as a Rehab Counselor.
Transition Assessment and Post-Secondary Goals
ABA 710 • 3 credit(s)
This course focuses on the use of age and disability appropriate transition assessment, the Transition Planning Form, and development of measurable post-secondary goals and IEP objectives to inform transition services and supports. Participants will assess student interest, strengths, preferences, and needs relating to transition and will explore individualized and customized transition assessments supporting age-appropriate, measurable goals for educational, employment, independent living needs, and social, communication and functional skills. Prerequisites: Students must have an Initial or Professional license and at least two years experience as a Teacher of: Students with Moderate (or Severe) Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or a counselor in School Guidance, School Social Worker/Adjustment, Rehabilitation, or certification as a Rehab Counselor.
Effective Transition: Systems and Supports
ABA 712 • 3 credit(s)
This course provides an overview of effective transition systems, supports, and structures that identify, coordinate and deliver quality services to support transition-aged youth to develop effective skills to support post-secondary success. Topics include the identification, development, and delivery of high-quality transition programming for the unique characteristics of transition-aged youth. Also discussed are evidence-based transition strategies, methods of delivery, resources, materials, and curricula that promote self-awareness, self-determination, and self-advocacy. Prerequisites: Students must have an Initial or Professional license and at least two years experience as a Teacher of Students with Moderate (or Severe) Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or a counselor in School Guidance, School Social Worker/Adjustment, Rehabilitation, or certification as a Rehab Counselor.
Field Experience Internship and Seminar: Transition Specialist Endorsement
ABA 720 • 3 credit(s)
This is a supervised 150-hour field-based experience of 100 hours to be completed in a Massachusetts public school, approved private special education school, or educational collaborative and 50 hours in a community-based setting working with transition-age youth with the goal of assisting them to transition from school to adult life. Candidates will also be observed, mentored and assessed during practicum. Seminar includes opportunities to share best practices and issues. Prerequisite: All other requirements and courses in the program must be successfully completed and the practicum setting must be approved.
Admissions
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Admission Test:
No standardized graduate school tests required for admission into non-licensure programs
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Admissions Office:
1-800-829-4723
- Application Form:
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students)
Program Requirements
Candidates are expected to enter the program based on prerequisite criteria to ensure that they have the prerequisite skills to be effective in the licensure role:
- Valid Massachusetts initial or professional license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of Visually Impaired, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, School Guidance Counselor, Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, or Rehabilitation Counselor.
- Two years' experience under one of the above licenses, per DESE Guidelines. (No additional MTEL required)
- School of Education requirements for certificate programs.
Other educators interested in participating in these courses are welcome, but will not receive the DESE endorsement unless they meet the requirements listed above.
Health Requirements for Massachusetts Students
The Massachusetts Health Department and Cambridge College require the following of students in Massachusetts:
Immunizations – All students in Massachusetts are required to get certain immunizations before you can register for your first term. See form
Health Insurance – In Massachusetts, undergraduate students taking nine or more credits/term and graduate students taking six or more credits/term must enroll in the College’s health insurance plan. Students who have insurance with comparable coverage may request a waiver. See information and enroll or waive.
School Requirements
International Students
International students need to provide supplemental documentation:
- Official demonstration of English language proficiency
- Supplemental documentation for issuance of I-20
- International transcripts, evaluated by an accepted evaluation service
Transfer Credit
Please complete the transfer credit request form if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer. Learn more about transferring credits.
Tuition
Credits: 15
Cost per Credit: $200
Application Fee: $50
Health Insurance Fee: $3,308 - Required for Massachusetts students. See waiver details on Tuition & Fees page.
Note: Rates are as of July, 2022, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid
Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more
Grants, Scholarships and Loans
Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more
Getting Your Company to Help
Many companies have tuition assistance programs, designed to help their employees with their professional development. Learn more
Take the Next Step Toward Your Certificate
Take the Next Step Toward Your Certificate
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