Special Education Endorsements

Approximately 15% of students in public schools K-12 receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. No matter what you teach, you will be privileged to work with and improve educational outcomes for children and youth with differing abilities. An endorsement in special education not only increases your marketability in the teaching profession, but also enhances your leadership and classroom effectiveness to best meet the needs of all students.

The Education Department at Grand View University is dedicated to training highly qualified teachers to meet this critical need. Our special education endorsements include coursework and field experiences that foster ideals of meaningful inclusion, collaborative partnerships, and asset-based pedagogy. Individuals seeking this endorsement will learn the most effective strategies to address a range of age and disability levels including students with intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, autism, developmental delays, learning disabilities, visual impairments, and/or multiple disabilities. This program is designed for students seeking an endorsement to supplement their elementary or secondary teaching degree. Special Education courses may be taken at the graduate level for those seeking a Master's degree or Master’s-level credit. You may choose programming with an emphasis in one or all of the following areas.

Instructional Strategist I (21-24 credits) (Online)

Grand View’s Instructional Strategist I endorsement program allows teachers who are currently teaching to complete an endorsement to teach special education. Current teachers interested in teaching and working with students with special needs can add Grand Views’ Instructional Strategist I endorsement. Our program addresses multiple learning disabilities and equips teachers to work in K-8 or 5-12 mild/moderate instruction settings. This endorsement authorizes teachers for K-8 or 5-12 mild/moderate instruction, an in-demand teacher shortage area in Iowa.

Grand View’s Education program offers individualized, high-quality education that can lead to long-term career opportunities. Become equipped to work with individuals using evidence-based practices that meet the needs in our rapidly changing schools.

Approximate completion time: 12 months

Instructional Strategist II: ID and LD/BD (24 credits) (Online)

Grand View University offers future and current teachers the opportunity to add Instructional Strategist II endorsements in Intellectual Disabilities (ID) or Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders (LD/BD). These K-12 endorsements will prepare you to meet the educational needs of complex learners in your school community.

The Instructional Strategist II: ID endorsement is required to serve students with significant intellectual disabilities in the school setting. Because the endorsement is in a shortage area, adding it has the potential to expand your career opportunities exponentially. The endorsement allows you the opportunity to realize your vocation to be a valued and effective educator of students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The Instructional Strategist II: LD/BD endorsement is required to serve students with significant learning disabilities and behavioral disorders in a school setting. You’ll engage in rewarding work as students develop emotionally and behaviorally. Having the additional endorsement will be a valuable credential in your job search.

Please note that teachers with an Instructional Strategist I endorsement may only have 9 to 10 hours to finish to complete the Instructional Strategist II endorsement.

Approximate completion time: 12-16 months

K-12 Instructional All Strategist (Online)

The K-12 All Instructional Strategist All endorsement prepares teachers in all grade levels and areas of special education: mild to moderate disabilities and moderate to severe disabilities as it relates to cognition, learning, behavior, and physical needs.

Career Options:
Special Education Teacher - Strategist I, Strategist II, or combined

Degree Combinations:
This program is for Elementary or Secondary Education Majors, in-service teachers, or teachers seeking their Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Did You Know?
According to the United States Department of Education, “Special educators serve a critical role in our nation’s public school, yet 45% of schools reported vacancies in special education roles, and 78% reported difficulty in hiring special education staff.”

Because the endorsement is in a shortage area, adding it has the potential to expand your career opportunities exponentially. Teaching in a shortage area may also qualify you for loan forgiveness and grants through state and federal agencies.

Approximate completion time: 12-20 months

Why Grand View?

Grand View is a small university focused on student learning. One of the big advantages of being a small university is the 1-on-1 professional relationships that students and professors can build.
Special Education endorsements at Grand View are designed for working professionals with a completely online asynchronous program offering, if desired.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited institution, evidenced by a transcript.
Validated minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Students below 3.0 will be considered for provisional acceptance.)
A current or pending license to teach in the United States.
Complete the application for admission.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of training is required of special educators?
Special educators must hold an Instructional Strategist I or Instructional Strategist II endorsement to provide special education services to individuals with disabilities in a school setting. Grand View University offers five different pathways for obtaining certification:

Instructional Strategist I (K-8)
Instructional Strategist I (5-12)
Instructional Strategist II: LD/BD (K-12)
Instructional Strategist II: ID (K-12)
Instructional Strategist I and II (ALL) (K-12)

What is the difference between Instructional Strategist I and II?
The difference is marked by the amount of special education services and support the individual receives. Students served by a Strategist I teacher will receive special education services and support that amounts to <40% of a school day. Students served by a Strategist II teacher will receive special education services and support that amounts to >40% of a school day.

I am seeking my initial teaching license. Can Instructional Strategist I or II be my only endorsement?
Yes, at the elementary level. Secondary teachers will have a content area endorsement paired with Instructional Strategist I 5-12, Instructional Strategist II: LD/BD and/or ID, or Instructional Strategist ALL.