Strategist Special Education Endorsement
Modified on: Mon, Mar 17 2025 8:46 AMProgram Contact
Heather Peschel
701.845.7188
Why Seek a Special Education Endorsement?
The strategist special education endorsement allows teachers with valid North Dakota educator's professional license in elementary education to:
- teach in an elementary education classroom
- teach or provide direct instruction to all LD, ED or ID elementary students
- consult K-12, LD, ED or ID students
The Special Education Endorsement at VCSU follows the Endorsement requirements specified by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practice Board (ESPB). Teachers outside North Dakota seeking to use this coursework for certification need to determine the specific requirements for teacher certification in their state. The Special Education Endorsement is predicated upon an education degree.
Study Online
All coursework leading to the Strategist Special Education Endorsement is offered online from VCSU.
Practical Experience
Students will complete 150 field experience hours with practicums focusing on assessment, a specific learning disabilities, emotional disorders, and intellectual disabilities.
Adding the Endorsement to a Teaching License
The courses completed within the Strategist Special Education endorsement are listed on the VCSU transcript, however the endorsement is not specifically listed like a minor or major. To obtain the actual endorsement, students make application to the ND ESPB after graduation and attainment of their initial ND license for elementary teaching.
| Required Courses | Credits |
| EDUC 240 Educating Exceptional Students | 3 |
| EDUC 250 Intro to Education | 3 |
| EDUC 300 Educational Technology | 2 |
| EDUC 323 Methods of Reading Instruction | 3 |
| SPED 340 Learning Disabilities,Emotional Disorders, and Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| EDUC 430 Diagnosis, and Correction of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| SPED 310 Behavior Modification | 3 |
| SPED 333 Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 380 Collaboration, Consultation, and Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 382 Methods and Materials of SLD | 2 |
| SPED 383 Methods and Materials of ED | 2 |
| SPED 384 Methods and Materials of ID | 2 |
| SPED 486 Student Teaching - 6 weeks | 5 |
Online Course Schedule
All courses are available completely online, unless otherwise specified. Schedule is subject to change. Check course schedule at https://myweb.vcsu.edu/semester-class-schedules/ for latest information.
| Courses | Semester Offered |
| EDUC 240 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| EDUC 250 | Fall, Spring (face to face) |
| EDUC 300 | Fall (face to face) |
| EDUC 323 | Fall, Spring (face to face) |
| SPED 340 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| EDUC 430 | Fall (face to face), Spring, Summer |
| SPED 310 | Spring |
| SPED 333 | Spring |
| SPED 380 | Fall, Summer |
| SPED 382 | Fall |
| SPED 383 | Fall, Spring |
| SPED 384 | Spring |
| SPED 486 |
Fall, Spring |