Special Education Teacher Certification in
Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
UNH Program of Study in Disability
About the Program
This program of study, offered by the Department of Education at the University of New
Hampshire, prepares special education teachers to work within schools to implement
evidence-based, high quality, inclusive educational programs for students with intellectual
and other developmental disabilities. The program also gives significant attention to
effective education of students with autism spectrum disorders. Graduates are eligible for
New Hampshire teacher certification in the advanced endorsement area in “intellectual/
developmental disabilities.”
The program consists of seven academic courses and a specialized supervised clinical
internship. Courses are typically offered once per semester, one day per week after 4 p.m., so
enrollment is feasible for practicing professionals or full time students.
The program is grounded in the philosophy that disability is a natural part of the
human experience. It emphasizes that individuals with disabilities have the same rights
as individuals without disabilities to exert control and choice over their lives, to live
independently, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through
inclusion in the educational, economic, political, social, and cultural mainstream of society.
Scholarships
Generous tuition scholarships, funded by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education,
Office of Special Education Programs, are available for a limited number of highly
qualified scholars. These scholarships can be applied to the costs of coursework,
books, and attendance at a professional conference. Scholarship assistance is due
to expire on June 30, 2012. Acceptance of scholarship assistance for this program
requires a two year service commitment fulfilled by teaching in the field of special
education for two years anywhere in the U.S. or for a Dept. of Defense school
internationally (one year can be completed during the student’s internship year).
Who Should Apply
The program is designed for individuals who are at various stages of initial and
advanced professional education including:
• All students enrolled in the M.Ed. program in Special Education at the University
of New Hampshire may elect an advanced endorsement area in addition to their
pursuit of General Special Education Certification. The Inclusion Facilitator
Concentration is one of these advanced endorsement areas and it leads to New
Hampshire teacher certification in “intellectual/developmental disabilities.”
• Teachers who already have General Special Education Certification and a Master’s
Institute on Disability/UCED
Apply Online at:
cola.unh.edu/education/
how-apply
10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101 | Durham, NH 03824
603.862.4320 | Relay: 711 | Fax: 603.862.0555
contact.iod@unh.edu | iod.unh.edu
degree may the program on a “certification-only” basis, leading to New Hampshire teacher certification in
“intellectual/developmental disabilities.” Applications are considered on a rolling admissions basis.
Requirements
Students must complete the following 25 credit concentration in intellectual and developmental disabilities in
addition to a supervised internship (EDUC 900/901C: 3 cr).
•
•
•
•
•
•
EDUC 854: Contemporary Issues in Developmental Disabilities (4 cr)
EDUC 876: Reading for Children with Special Needs (4 cr)
EDUC 855: Fostering Social Relationships for Students who Experience Severe Disabilities (2 cr)
EDUC 952: Inclusive Assessment, Curriculum, Instruction, and Communication Supports (4 cr)
EDUC 954: Leadership and Systems Change in Inclusive Education (4 cr)
EDUC 956: Learning to Listen: Developing Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Challenging
Behaviors (4 cr)
• COMM 914: Seminar in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (3 cr)
Contact Information
Dr. Vincent Connelly
Special Education Program Coordinator
UNH Education Department
603.862.0595
vincent.connelly@unh.edu
Mary C. Schuh, Ph.D.
UNH Institute on Disability
603.228.2084
mary.schuh@unh.edu
This program is supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
Programs, CFDA Number 84.325K.
Stay Connected:
facebook.com/unhiod
plus.google.com
twitter.com/unhiod
linkedin.com
youtube.com/unhiod
instagram.com/unhiod
This document is available in alternative formats upon request