Graduate Certificate

Who is this program for?

This online graduate certificate program is designed for educators in K-12 settings who are interested in specializing in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. The program is applicable to careers in teaching, special education, MTSS coaching, and education intervention.

When does this program begin?

Once admitted to the program, students may begin the program in any semester (fall, spring, or summer). Fall is the preferred semester to start. This graduate certificate program can typically be completed in three semesters.

Where do courses take place?

Courses are delivered fully online and are designed with working educators in mind.

Application Deadlines

• Summer semester admission :
  • Application deadline: Feb. 1
• Fall semester admission (preferred semester to start):
  • Application deadline: June 1
• Spring semester admission:
  • Application deadline: Oct. 1

Please note: if admitted to the MTSS Cert program, you cannot switch to the MA MTTS, MA only, LD, or ASD programs.

Requirements

Applications are reviewed by faculty who look for indicators of a high probability of success. The following factors are significant in determining admission to the emphasis area:

1. A grade-point average of 3.00 or higher in the last two years of undergraduate and all graduate courses.
2. Experience working with children and youth with disabilities in a school or other educational setting.
3. Professional goals that are consistent with the objectives of the degree program.
4. A test if English proficiency for students for whom English is not a first language.

Admission to the program is competitive and subject to space and availability. Not all students who meet the above requirements will be admitted.

An applicant for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support must:

• Have access to high-speed internet and the appropriate technologies.

Required Application Materials

To complete your university application, you will need to provide the following information and materials:

Letters of Recommendation

In the application portal, provide contact information for three persons who are familiar with your academic and professional accomplishments and potential for success.

We strongly recommend that you seek letters of recommendation from those who can speak directly to your potential for graduate study, as well as from persons who are knowledgeable about your teaching competence and experience. Thus, letters from former professors or other supervisors of graduate or undergraduate work are especially important. Letters from teaching colleagues, principals, and administrators that address your teaching, leadership, and academic skills and dispositions are also important. We suggest you do not rely on letters from friends and family members when you submit your application. They will not be weighed as heavily in the admissions decision.

Professional Goal Statement

This document is very important element of your application. See description of content and formatting of this statement for more information. Find more advice on writing a personal statement from MSU’s Career Services Network.

Resume or CV

List professional experience, awards, honors, publications, presentations, professional affiliations and professional development activities. This Resume Writing Checklist from MSU’s Career Services Network, along with sample templates for candidates who work in education, may be helpful.

Official Transcripts

Request the registrar of each college or university attended to send one copy of each official transcript. We cannot accept transcripts sent by applicants. Colleges and universities generally require both fees and time to process requests for transcripts. To be considered “official” the transcripts must have a university seal or notarization mark and be sent directly by the institution electronically to admis@msu.edu or to the following address:

Michigan State University
Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane, Room 335
East Lansing, MI 48824

Application Fee

The application fee ($65 for domestic applicants of $75 for international applicants) is paid within MSU’s applicant portal.

Application Steps

Internal applicants will need to submit an Intent to Enroll form and new goal statement. For more information, please contact Missy Davis davisme@msu.edu.

Our program is designed to start in the fall.

Complete your application on MSU’s application management system. Follow the steps listed below:

• Create account and login.
• Start New Application: Select Graduate Certificate from dropdown menu and Create Application.
• Provide Personal Background information.
• Under Other Information, select the first semester you wish to enroll in classes. To select Major Preference, scroll to the College of Education and select Special Education Multi Tiered Systems of Support (Online Program). Provide additional details about Enrollment Information, Communications preferences, and Financial Aid. It is not necessary to include the Personal or Academic Statement as requested in Other Information. Providing information on your experiences in the COVID-19 section is optional. Provide responses to Conduct Questions and Other from the dropdown menus and in text boxes where appropriate.
• Include all Academic History information. To begin, click on Add Institution.
• Test Scores: The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is not required. All international applicants and applicants whose first language is not English must be able to be proficient in English as a condition for regular admission to MSU. Such applicants will be required to demonstrate their proficiency by meeting certain minimum standards. Find more details on the MSU Graduate School website.
• Employment/Activities Page: Leave blank.
• References: Using Add Recommender, provide contact information for three people who are familiar with your academic and professional accomplishments and potential for success. The portal will then send out recommendation requests to the people you listed. The requests come from admissions@admissions.msu.edu. It is strongly recommended that one letter is from a current or past professor, academic advisor, or field instructor. If possible, the other two letters should be from current or past supervisors. Letters from friends or colleagues will not be considered. The letters must be current and specifically for the MTSS program. Letters previously used for other purposes cannot be accepted.
• Provide your Signature electronically by typing in your full legal name, then select Confirm.
• The Review section will provide you with a list of potential errors if a section has not been completed. Please return to those sections and make the appropriate corrections before finalizing the application and submitting your payment.
• Once you have finalized your application, you will complete the payment ($65 for domestic applicants of $75 for international applicants).

Once you have finalized your application, you will receive a confirmation email. You can then login to the application portal to upload and track your application materials. If you cannot submit the required materials in PDF format or have any questions, please contact the Special Education Program at sped@msu.edu and (517) 353-1842

1. Add the following documents in the application portal:
   1. Resume or Vita: List professional experience, awards, honors, publications, presentations, professional affiliations and professional development activities.
   2. Professional Goal Statement: Specify “personal statement” as document type. This document is very important element of your application. See description of content and formatting of this statement for more information.
2. Request the registrar of each college or university attended to send one copy of each official transcript. We cannot accept transcripts sent by applicants. Transcripts of work taken at MSU need not be requested. Colleges and universities generally require both fees and time to process requests for transcripts. To be considered “official” the transcripts must have a university seal or notarization mark and be sent directly by the institution electronically to admis@msu.edu or to the following address:

Michigan State University
Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane, Room 335
East Lansing, MI 48824

What is a graduate certificate?

A graduate certificate is a credential that allows students to gain advanced knowledge in a specific area or skill. Graduate certificate programs offer professional development ideal for enhancing your knowledge and expertise in a specific subject in a shorter time frame than a traditional master’s degree. Students add to their professional portfolio by showcasing a deeper engagement with a specific area of study.

How many credits are required?

This graduate certificate program requires completion of five courses (15 total credits).

Students must complete:

1. All of the following courses (12 credits):

• CEP 809 (3) Data-Driven Instruction in MTSS
• CEP 804B (3) Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities
• CEP 802A (3) Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities
• CEP 803A (3) Assessment of Students with Mild Disabilities

2. One of the following courses (3 credits):

• CEP 841 (3) Classroom and Behavior Management
• CEP 844 (3) Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers

3. Completion of a final examination or evaluation

When does this program begin?

Once admitted to the program, students may begin the program in any semester (fall, spring, or summer). Fall is the preferred semester to start.

How long does the program take to complete?

This 15-credit program can typically be completed in three semesters or one year.

How much does this program cost?

The most up-to-date information on tuition and fees can be found on MSU’s Office of the Controller website. This is a 15-credit program, listed under “Online Education Masters.”

It is important to note that graduate certificate students are not eligible for financial aid.