Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling
Certificate Description
This certificate is specialized training focused on transition which is the progression of youth and students with disabilities from secondary education to post-secondary employment, education, and living. The featured content of the certificate is focused on responsibilities and roles applied to the education of and services for transition-age students with disabilities (i.e., in school and 16 – 22 years old) and/or youth with disabilities (i.e., out of school and 14 – 24 years old) and their parents, families, and/or support team members. The advantages of completing the certificate are gains in basic level knowledge of assessment, planning, and service provisions applied to transition.
The certificate is time-efficient, applicable, and economical. The courses are taught using Zoom, as well as in-person, to reach potential students across Utah, and the United States which provides opportunities for networking and the sharing of ideas broadly. The courses are taught live weekly, are offered in the evenings, and are delivered over a 12-month period so the certificate will be completed in one year. Two of the courses (REH 6500 and REH 6160 /SPED 6160 ) are required as part of the program of study for the Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) program. So, if interested, MRC students can add the additional certificate courses for specialization in transition. The certificate coursework and content are aligned with the mandates of the Rehabilitation Act as amended (WIOA, 2014; 2022) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004). These primary United States transition laws have increasingly prioritized policy to structure services for secondary transition-age youth and students with disabilities, states are turning to transition leaders for direction. These laws make special educators and vocational rehabilitation counselors responsible for transition services. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) have identified personnel preparation as a high priority including qualified professionals to serve the transition-age population and their parents, families, and/or support team members. In offering this certificate, the OSEP and RSA priority can be addressed by providing an opportunity for training in an area that lacks opportunities for preparation, has a shortage of trained people, and is expected to grow (see the Department of Labor data reports). Furthermore, improving transition outcomes with quality education and secondary transition services are priorities of the State of Utah. Based on past completers, some of the beneficial impacts of the certificate and its completion have included, being recognized by the Governor, receiving letters of commendation, being promoted to supervisory positions, and developing and implementing transition training. Finally, graduates become part of a network of scholars with specialized training in transition education and services.
Although there is no labor market demand data specifically available for transition services, rehabilitation counseling, and special education, the occupational areas most linked to transition, are experiencing shortages in trained individuals, and both these areas are expected to grow. See the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for rehabilitation counselors and special education teachers in secondary schools.
For more information, visit the program page.
Admission Requirements
To gain admittance to the certificate, students must submit an application, pay the application fee, and provide official transcripts, a written statement of purpose, three written references (one reference must be from the applicant’s work supervisor), documentation of current work in a transition-related practice setting (indicated in supervisor’s written reference), and resume. Interviews will be held with potential certificate students prior to final admissions decisions. For specific questions about this certificate, contact the primary certificate faculty and certificate program director, Kathleen (Kat) Marie Oertle, Associate Professor, Utah State University (USU), Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling (SPERC), PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), CRC, LVRC-Utah; Office: SCCE 417; Phone: 435-797-3241; Email: kathleen.oertle@usu.edu
For questions about the USU application and enrollment process, contact the rehabilitation counseling program coordinator, Kris Wengreen, USU, SPERC Email: kris.wengreen@usu.edu
Employment Requirement
Students will need to be in a practice setting where they are educating and serving transition-age students and/or youth with disabilities, and they have their work supervisor’s approval so they can apply the knowledge and skills they are gaining throughout the certificate coursework. This support will be especially important for the successful completion of REH 6520 /SPED 6520 and the Capstone Demonstration Project (2). Therefore, to be eligible for participation in this certificate, applicants must be working in a practice setting that emphasizes transition and rehabilitation, counseling, disability, education, employment, workforce, or career development. Also, prior to admissions, applicants must provide documentation of their supervisor’s approval as certificate students will need the supervisor’s support in applying the coursework and related activities. A supervisor letter is a required written reference indicating their support and current transition practice setting.
Career Options
Those interested in and/or already working with transition-age individuals with disabilities are employed in a variety of settings, including:
- Public sector
- Vocational rehabilitation counseling agencies
- Secondary schools
- Universities and/or colleges
- Community rehabilitation
- Disability resource centers
- Workforce services and other human resource centers
- Veteran’s Administration
- Independent living centers
- Mental health centers
- Addiction centers
- Justice system
This certificate is aligned with USU’s mission and will strengthen the impact in serving all in learning, discovery, and engagement by including excellence for individuals with disabilities. All courses are in-person on the Logan campus and/or completed online through USU’s Regional Campuses and Distance Education program. Students must earn a minimum of 14 credits to earn the certificate. As far as it is known, no certificate of this sort exists in Utah and only a few transition certificates were found in past searches. This certificate is based on cutting-edge and state-of-the-art research including research being conducted at Utah State University (e.g., Collaborate for Change (C2)) along with the current known best evidence.
Financial Costs
The cost for the entire certificate (14 credits) is $6,832 or $488 per credit hour. No financial assistance is available at this time. But, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Training Grants have been secured in the past for this certificate. RSA funding and other sources will be sought in the future, especially to support student scholarship/assistance.
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