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The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA's statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

UAS is committed to providing accessible websites: www.uas.alaska.edu/policies/accessibility.html

Special Education

Receive an Alaska Teaching Certificate with an Endorsement in Special Education (Grades K-12) from the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development through these UAS programs.

Important Deadlines

What's my Degree Pathway?

Initial Teaching Certificate

For Students Without an Undergraduate Degree

We suggest the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education at the University of Alaska Southeast

For Students With an Undergraduate Degree and Who are not Certified Teachers

We suggest the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education at the University of Alaska Southeast

Advanced Teaching Certificate

For Students Who are Certified Teachers

We suggest the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education at the University of Alaska Southeast for those who want a Masters degree in addition to a special education endorsement.*
We suggest the Graduate Certificate in Special Education at the University of Alaska Southeast for those who want a special education endorsement, but no Masters degree.

*The Graduate Certificate is embedded within the M.Ed. and recommendation for the special education endorsement occurs at the same point in both programs. The M.Ed. program requires three additional courses after this recommendation has occurred.

FAQs

Course requirements are available through the catalog for these programs:

Although some of these classes are solely taught through e-learning, due to mandatory supervision requirements these programs are currently only available to candidates who live in Alaska. Candidates living outside Alaska are welcome to apply to this program, but should understand that this program is specifically designed to train teachers for the unique teaching conditions of various Alaskan communities and that applicants will need to reside in Alaska to complete the program.

Application Process

Need Assistance?

Do not hesitate to contact the Student Services Assistant with any questions about application materials of the application process.

B.A., Special Education

Consult with your advisor
Follow the UAS Admission Steps

M.A.T., Special Education

Before You Begin

Consult with Program Coordinator, Dr. Heather Batchelder

Complete and Submit the Following

Complete Graduate Application and pay fee
Send Official Transcripts with a 3.0 GPA to UAS. Please note: transcripts from UAA, UAF, or UAS are not required to be submitted;
Send Official Basic Competency Exam scores
Submit Recommendations: As part of the online program application, submit contact information for two references (former or current professors or supervisors who are not related to you). A link to the UAS SOE recommendation form will be emailed to references based on the contact information submitted in the UAS application portal.
Two (2) SOE recommendation forms are all that is needed to meet the requirement. However, if references want to submit a traditional narrative letter of recommendation as well, they should email it to Admissions to be included in an applicant’s application materials.
Submit Writing Sample per these MAT writing sample instructions

M.Ed., Special Education & Graduate Certificate:

Before You Begin

Consult with Program Coordinator, Dr. Heather Batchelder

Complete and Submit the Following

Complete Graduate Application and pay fee
Send Official Transcripts with a 3.0 GPA to UAS. Please note: transcripts from UAA, UAF, or UAS are not required to be submitted;
Submit copy of current Alaskan teaching or administrative certificate
Submit Recommendations: As part of the online program application, submit contact information for two references (former or current professors or supervisors who are not related to you). A link to the UAS SOE recommendation form will be emailed to references based on the contact information submitted in the UAS application portal.
Two (2) SOE recommendation forms are all that is needed to meet the requirement. However, if references want to submit a traditional narrative letter of recommendation as well, they should email it to Admissions to be included in an applicant’s application materials.
Submit Writing Sample per these advanced program writing sample instructions

Send all of these items to:

UAS Admissions
11066 Auke Lake Way
Juneau, AK 99801-8671

Please do not hesitate to contact our Student Services Assistant if you have any questions.

Handbooks and Resources

Information on Basic Competency Exam scores
You must have passing scores from one or more of the State-approved exams to be fully admitted to a teacher preparation program in the State of Alaska. Passing scores from different tests may be combined to form a set of passing (reading, writing, and math) scores. To have ACT or SAT tests of any age evaluated for passing scores, send unofficial copies of scores to uas.education@alaska.edu. If any of your scores are acceptable we can send you information on how to order official scores to come to UAS.
M.A.T. Special Education Field Experience Handbook
This is the handbook for those that are entering into their field experiences for M.A.T. Special Education program.
Grad Cert & M.Ed. Special Education Field Experience Handbook
This is the handbook for those that are entering into their field experience for either the M.Ed. or Grad Cert Special Education programs.