Image
sped1

Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

The Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective special education teacher.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a Visit
Find All Majors

Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation

Kent State University’s Non-Degree Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation provides targeted education in special education best practices. This program offers career benefits for students looking to specialize in special education.

Program Information for Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Program Description

On This Page

Full Description

The Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation non-degree program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and want to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities. These students are distinguished from students with more severe disabilities by greater participation in the general academic curriculum. Mild/moderate disabilities include learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, ADHD, mild intellectual disabilities and (in certain cases) autism spectrum disorder.

Completion of the coursework is a prerequisite to being recommended by Kent State University for an initial teacher license in Special Education Mild/Moderate Educational Needs (Ohio Intervention Specialist), which is granted by the Ohio Department of Education.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure. Completing a master's degree in special education in addition to licensure will, in most cases, require an additional 15-18 credit hours.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Examples of Possible Jobs and Salaries*

Special education teachers, all other

  • 1.1% slower than the average
  • 41,000 number of jobs
  • $67,430 potential earnings

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

  • -1.8% decline
  • 230,200 number of jobs
  • $63,000 potential earnings

Special education teachers, middle school

  • -1.9% decline
  • 94,800 number of jobs
  • $64,880 potential earnings

Special education teachers, secondary school

  • -1.6% decline
  • 164,200 number of jobs
  • $69,590 potential earnings

Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

  • -1.5% decline
  • 1,422,800 number of jobs
  • $35,240 potential earnings

Admissions for Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Questions in Anticipation of Licensure form

Applicants are assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, academic or professional references, non-academic criteria and other specific program dimensions.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Priority deadline: December 1
  • Summer Term
    • Priority deadline: April 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of
    1. learner development and individual learning differences;
    2. the learning environment; curricular content knowledge;
    3. assessment;
    4. instructional planning and strategies; and
    5. professional practice and collaboration.
  2. Demonstrate the dispositions necessary to be a successful special education teacher/professional.
  3. Demonstrate preparation for the profession by successfully completing the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Special Education Assessment.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Licensure Requirements

Licensure Requirements (min C grade is required in all courses)
ECED 50303TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS I 3
ECED 50402TEACHING READERS IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS 3
ECED 50403TEACHING WRITERS IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS 3
SPED 23000INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES 3
SPED 24000INCLUSIVE PRACTICES 3
SPED 53010FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION 3
SPED 53021ASSESSMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 53030APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS I: THEORY AND TECHNIQUES 3
SPED 53031APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS II: APPLICATION 3
SPED 53040LANGUAGE AND READING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 53042INTENSIVE READING INTERVENTIONS AND PHONICS 3
SPED 53050CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WITH MILD/MODERATE INTERVENTION NEEDS 3
SPED 53062CURRICULUM METHODS MILD/MODERATE INTERVENTION 3
SPED 53070PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING FOR TRANSITIONS 3
SPED 63092FIELD EXPERIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 63992STUDENT TEACHING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 18
SPED 64951DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN AND INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM 3
SPED 69525INQUIRY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:59
1

Student teaching is taken after completion of all licensure coursework and in conjunction with the Inquiry to Professional Practice course. Teacher candidates are only permitted to repeat a field experience course once. Please see Repeating Field Experience Courses in Teacher Education Programs policy for details.

Progression Requirements
  • Must maintain a minimum 3.000 overall GPA.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000 3.000

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio teaching licensure are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for licensure from the Ohio Department of Education. The candidate must earn the qualifying score on the Ohio Assessments for Educators. Students should consult the Special Education Department for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

What does delivery mean?

Examples of Possible Jobs and Salaries for Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Those who complete the Non-Degree in Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Initial Licensure Preparation at Kent State University can benefit from specialized career opportunities in special education.

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
© 2026 Kent State University All rights reserved.