President Diacon's Fall 2023 Commencement Speech Urges Graduates to Demonstrate Their Value as They Transition to Careers

Kent State President Todd Diacon applauds the graduating Fall Class of 2023 during a commencement ceremony.

During Kent State University President Todd Diacon's Fall 2023 Commencement speech, he told the graduates that leaving Kent State and moving on to their careers is a momentous transition that they must approach with flexibility, patience and gentleness for those who do not share the same skills as they do. The graduates must also demonstrate their value and the diverse ways in which they approach their jobs, despite people rejecting their suggestions. "Keep demonstrating your value and the existence of other ways of doing things and eventually you will make headway," Diacon sai...

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Special Education Transition-to-Work Endorsement Preparation - Non-Degree

The Special Education Transition to Work Endorsement Preparation program program is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills they need to support students with disabilities in transitioning from school to work.

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Program Information for Special Education Transition-to-Work Endorsement Preparation - Non-Degree

Program Description

Program Description

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Full Description

The Special Education Transition-to-Work Endorsement Preparation non-degree program is designed for special educators who wish to prepare 4th- through 12th-grade students with disabilities for adult life. In addition to employment, this program also addresses issues related to residential, recreational, continuing education and other outcomes experienced by adults with and without disabilities.

The Kent State Transition-to-Work endorsement leads to a single qualification applicable to all former transition roles (e.g., work study, VOSE, Option IV). For more information regarding the standards governing the endorsement, please visit Ohio's Department of Education.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure. Coursework from a master's degree in special education may apply towards endorsement requirements.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Special Education Transition-to-Work Endorsement Preparation - Non-Degree

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum overall 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale of most recent degree completed
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Evidence of valid Resident Educator or Professional Intervention Specialist or Career-Technical State of Ohio teaching license or a valid Professional State of Ohio Pupil Services license
  • Interview with Transition-to-Work program coordinator
  • Experience teaching students with moderate-to-intensive disabilities or the completion of 15 credit hours of moderate-to-intensive coursework

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

  1. Develop an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) that fits the unique needs of an individual with disabilities.
  2. Create job development plans.
  3. Create community-based curriculum for students with intensive disabilities.
  4. Create curricula to teach residential skills to students with intensive disabilities.

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Licensure Requirements

Licensure Requirements (minimum C required in all courses)
SPED 53070PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING FOR TRANSITIONS 3
SPED 63075ASPECTS OF DISABILITY AND TRANSITION SERVICES 3
SPED 64200CURRICULUM METHODS FOR TRANSITION PLANNING AND COLLABORATION 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:9

Progression Requirements
  • Must maintain a minimum 3.000 overall GPA

Graduation Requirements
  • Minimum 3.000 overall GPA

Licensure Information

Prior to program completion, the candidate must demonstrate proficiencies in the following areas (including but not limited to): data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilizing and supporting appropriate technology for the discipline; and application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Fully online

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Special Education Transition-to-Work Endorsement Preparation - Non-Degree

Special education teachers, all other

8.5%

much faster than the average

36,600

number of jobs

$62,820

potential earnings

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

2.9%

slower than the average

193,000

number of jobs

$60,620

potential earnings

Special education teachers, middle school

2.6%

slower than the average

84,700

number of jobs

$61,820

potential earnings

Special education teachers, secondary school

3.2%

about as fast as the average

143,000

number of jobs

$62,320

potential earnings

Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

3.6%

about as fast as the average

1,395,900

number of jobs

$28,900

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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