Preparing Highly-Qualified Educators

Our Leading Teacher Dual Certification Program qualifies you to become certified in your desired certification content area and special education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We prepare you to meet the diverse educational needs of students in various school settings including students with disabilities, challenging behavior and social and emotional needs. As a graduate, you are eligible to be certified in your content area (PreK-4, middle level, or secondary) and special education (K-12) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Our dual certification undergraduate program provides you with opportunities each semester to apply classroom material in the field. We offer multiple placements for you in a variety of educational settings to transfer what you learn at Duquesne to what you will use in the classroom as a future educator.

Field Experience for Dual Majors

As a student, you will have hands-on opportunities to expand your horizons in various learning environments, field placements and unique student teaching opportunities. Field placements for dual majors provide real-world experience in special education classrooms. You will complete three field experience courses in special education in addition to field experiences in your content area and your student teaching experience. Explore our student teaching and field experiences.

Dual Certification Program Options

Our Leading Teacher Dual Certification Program qualifies undergraduate students to become certified in both general and special (K-12) education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We will prepare you in your desired certification area.

Earn a B.S.Ed. with dual certification in special education and...
Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)
Middle Level Education (4-8)
Secondary Education (7-12)

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Get a Jump Start on Graduate Studies

We offer an early start option for School of Education undergraduate students who are interested in a graduate degree in Special Education. During your undergraduate studies, you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in the M.S.Ed. Special Education - Cognitive, Behavior and Physical/Health Disabilities master’s program at the undergraduate tuition rate. 

Education Info Session

Schedule a visit to our School of Education on select weekdays. During your visit, you'll learn more about our undergraduate leading teacher program and explore our Curriculum Center. To schedule a virtual appointment, please contact Michelle Gapsky at (412) 396-5193 or at gapskym@duq.edu.

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Become the Teacher You are Meant to Be

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Admitted Students

Take the next steps to become the teacher you are meant to be! Visit us on campus, complete your financial aid forms and enroll today!

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Scholarships & Awards

A Duquesne University education is an investment in your future. This investment will prepare you to reach your goals. We are proud to offer competitive scholarships for aspiring educational leaders. Many generous scholarship opportunities exist to make your goals within reach so that you can realize your dreams and make an impact through education.

Student & Alum Perspectives

School of Education undergraduate student Riley Adams holding book in library and smiling.

I had multiple teachers who were Duquesne alumni who had such good teaching styles, and I knew that coming to Duquesne I would get the best education and experience...

Riley Adams, B.S.Ed. '29
Read about Riley's Duquesne Journey
Photo of Dual Certification alum Cara Brdar holding diploma smiling outside on campus in front of waterfountain on a sunny day.

Duquesne's program equipped me with the knowledge, flexibility & strategies I need to meet the diverse needs of all learners effectively. By gaining expertise in both general & special education, I learned the importance of creating inclusive classrooms where every student has the means & support to succeed & feel included.

Cara Brdar B.S.Ed., Dual Certification in PreK-4 & Special Education K-12 '25 | 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher, Bristol Bay Borough School District

Curriculum

Discover course descriptions in the University Catalog. Select this year's Graduate Catalog and navigate to course descriptions section.

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The dual certification program provides students with a unique opportunity to receive an undergraduate degree in both general and special education. This program provides students with the knowledge and experience to become leading teachers. Through competency-focused coursework, the dual certification program will prepare students to be certified in K-12 special education and general education (i.e., preK-4, middle level, or secondary). The program can be completed in four years of full-time study. Program coursework contains fieldwork, allowing students to apply material learned in class to their field placements. Students conclude the program by participating in a student teaching placement with a host teacher and Duquesne University mentor.
Course Requirements
The requirements for the Special Education Grades K-12 certificate must include all course and field competencies. There must be nine (9) credits/270 hours dedicated to special education classwork and three (3) credits/90 hours to meet English learners’ requirements.

To meet these competencies, we redesigned or created three special education courses and fields, and designed the stage 4 field placement. These are below:

  • LTSP 203 Foundations of Inclusive Practices in Special Education (3 credits)
  • LTSP 293 Inclusive Field Experience Stage 1 (0 credits)
  • LTSP 216 Foundations of Assessment for Dual Certification PK-4, Middle, & Secondary & Special Education (3 credits)
  • LTSP 296 Classroom Assessment Field Experience for Dual Majors Stage 2 (0 credits)
  • LTSP 356 Instructional Methods in Special Education (3 credits)
  • LTSP 396 Classroom Instructional Methods for Dual Majors Field Experience Stage 3 (0 credits)
  • LTSP 490 Practicum in Special Education for Dual Certification Field Experience Stage 4 (12 credits - 6 credits special education classroom; 6 credits general education classroom)
  • LTEL 201 Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners (3 credits)

Total Program Credits to Complete Program
  1. Early Childhood (Pre-K-4) and K-12 Special Education = 130 credits
  2. Middle Level and K-12 Special Education
    1. English Language Arts B.S.Ed. = 131 credits
    2. Math B.S.Ed. = 137 credits
    3. Math and English Language Arts B.S.Ed. = 142 credits
    4. Science B.S.Ed.  = 135 credits
  3. Secondary Education, English and K-12 Special Education
    1. Secondary English B.S.Ed. = 133 credits
    2. Secondary English B.S.Ed. English, B.A. = 127 credits
  4. Secondary Education, Mathematics and K-12 Special Education:
    1. Secondary Mathematics B.S.Ed. = 127 credits
    2. Secondary Mathematics B.S.Ed. (Algebra with Calculus) = 127 credits
    3. Secondary Mathematics, B.S.Ed. (Calculus) = 127 credits
    4. Secondary Mathematics, B.S.Ed., Mathematics, B.A. = 136 credits
    5. Secondary Mathematics, B.S.Ed., Mathematics, B.S. = 147 credits
  5. Secondary Education, Social Studies and K-12 Special Education:
    1. Secondary Social Studies, B.S.Ed. = 130 credits
    2. Secondary Social Studies, B.S.Ed., History, B.A. = 136 credits

Get to Know Special Education Professor Dr. Bridget Green

School of Education special education professor Dr. Bridget green sitting with hands folded on Canevin Hall inside entrance steps

My students are amazing, respectful and enjoy having fun...I am having so much fun teaching students. I get to learn from them...some of my colleagues are absolutely incredible people. Their brilliant minds inspire me. Faculty do everything to ensure a struggling student feels safe in the classroom.

Dr. Bridget Green Associate Professor, Special Education | Executive Director of the Institute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy
Q&A with Dr. Green

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to meet competencies to obtain content and special education certificates.
  2. Students will demonstrate the required skills and competencies in classroom environments to meet the needs of all learners.
  3. Students will be able to translate theory and adapt pedagogy to serve the needs of all learners. 

Accreditation

CAEP accreditation nationally recognizes quality in educator preparation. This signifies that our students are well-equipped to meet the needs of PreK-12 students as well as their communities and schools.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

CAEP logo badge with checkmark inside and this text: CAEP Accredited Provider; and below badge text that reads: Excellence in Educator Preparation Accreditation

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Experience in the Classroom

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Undergraduate Programs

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Michelle Gapsky

Director of Enrollment & Engagement

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