Special Education Licensure Program

The special education licensure only option is available for those students who wish to pursue endorsement in special education and do not meet the MS degree admission requirements, or hold a conditional license in special education and wish to complete licensure requirements. The Special Education Teacher Licensure Only Program meets Virginia Department of Education certification and endorsement requirements for any one or more of the following five areas: learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, mental retardation, early childhood special education and severe disabilities. Graduates find employment as special education teachers within the continuum of services provided for children with special needs, administrative staff members in public and private schools, educational therapists, and psycho-educational diagnosticians. Graduates from this program may also serve as key members of child study teams and are prepared to address the educational, emotional, and physical needs of students with disabilities.

Regular admittance requires

1. Admission to Old Dominion University as a non-degree seeking graduate;
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all college credit courses taken in the baccalaureate degree program;
3. Passing Praxis I, SAT or ACT score requirements as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education;
4. An interview and recommendation for admittance from a department representative, Teacher Education Services advisor, or site director; and
5. Submission of an application for admittance into the Darden College of Education Teacher Licensure Only Program. Applications may be obtained by writing or in person from the Special Education Licensure Only Program, Room 104, Child Study Center, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 23529. You may also email essegpd@odu.edu to request one.

Provisional admittance requires

1. Admission to Old Dominion University as a non-degree seeking graduate student;
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.50-2.74 for all college credit courses taken in the baccalaureate degree program;
3. Passing Praxis I, SAT or ACT score requirements as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education;
4. An interview and recommendation for admittance from a department representative, Teacher Education Services advisor, or site director; and
5. Submission of an application for admittance into the Darden College of Education Teacher Licensure Only Program.

Licensure Only Program Continuance Requirements / Checklists

1. Students must complete the Pre-task Rating Form at time of admission; (An ODU email address and password are required.)
2. successful completion of all courses required for licensure in an endorsement area(s);
3. maintenance of a GPA of 3.0 with a B- or better in all course work*;
4. passing scores on Praxis II prior to licensure if required by the Virginia Department of Education; and
5. computer literacy (transcript evidence of the successful completion of a basic computer course within two years of admission OR completion of ECI 304 or 530 OR demonstrated evidence of proficiency in the Virginia Department of Education's Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel).
   
   Checklists:
   

   Checklist for Early Childhood Special Education Licensure Only

   Checklist for Severe Disabilities Licensure Only

   Checklist for Mild (ED/LD/MR) Disabilities Licensure Only

*Graduate Continuance Regulations (From the 2004 - 2006 University Catalog.)

• At the end of each semester—fall, spring, and summer—the graduate continuance director reviews records of students who do not maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Graduate students, whether degree or non-degree seeking, who do not have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 will be placed on probation.
• Probation/Suspension Policy for Graduate Students
  All graduate students receive one semester (fall, spring, or summer) of probation in the next enrolled semester after their cumulative GPA drops below 3.00. After the one-semester probation, one of three conditions exists: 1) a student regains good standing (3.00 cumulative GPA), 2) a student remains on probation for one more semester if the semester GPA is greater than 3.00 but the cumulative GPA is less than 3.00, or 3) a student is indefinitely suspended if the semester GPA is not greater than 3.00 and the cumulative GPA is less than 3.00.
• Reinstatement Policy for Suspended Graduate Students
  All academic suspensions at the graduate level are for an indefinite period of time. Reinstatement is never automatic. Reinstatement may be permitted under certain circumstances. Graduate students suspended while in a degree-seeking program must receive approval from the graduate program director prior to seeking reinstatement to the graduate degree program. Students must make a formal appeal in accordance with the Reinstatement Policy. See page 69 of the catalog for more details.

Licensure Only Program Exit Requirements

1. Completion of the Post Task Rating Form when notified by program. An ODU student email user name and password are required.
2. Beginning in December 2004, candidates seeking initial special education licensure will be required to take the Virginia Reading Assessment.
   When all program requirements have been met, the Licensure Only Program will provide a Verification of Course Work (VDOE form DA 035) to the student.