Dual Certification

General and Special Education

The dual certification program provides students with a unique opportunity to receive an undergraduate degree in both general and special education. This degree 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 Degree 

  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

Student 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.