Graduate Certificate in Specific Learning Disability: Basic

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Department of Human Development and Child Studies
405B Pawley Hall (map)
(248) 370-3077 • Fax (248) 370-4242
http://www.oakland.edu/sehs/hdcp/

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Coordinator:
Janet E. Graetz
425D Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2620
graetz@oakland.edu

Program description

The courses for the graduate certificate program and the area of concentration within the corresponding degree program meet the state requirements for an endorsement in Specific Learning Disability. Completion of a practicum is required for those seeking an endorsement from the State. Students should contact the program coordinator to confirm application procedures for the practicum and submission deadlines.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

July 15 for fall semester
November 15 for winter semester
March 15 for summer semester
International applicants

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate Application Requirements
Additional department application requirements

School of Education and Human Services Supplemental Application
Requirements for recommendations:
The recommendation forms must be from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study.
Copy of current (or most recent) teaching certificate or verification of pending certificate
Goal statement which includes the reason for application, the intended focus of graduate study, a description of professional experiences and accomplishments, and professional and career goals.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

To be admitted to the graduate certificate program in full standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0, but with an appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation, may be considered for admission in limited standing. Students who qualify for this admission classification must complete a maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course within the first three academic terms from the time of initial enrollment.

Graduate Certificate requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Specific Learning Disability: Basic is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits in an approved program of study. It is intended for those who have not met all of the Special Education Core Competencies. Documented course equivalents from other universities may be considered.

Course requirements (32 credits)

SE 502 - Legal Issues in Special Education (4 credits)
SE 518 - Organization and Management of Instructional Behaviors and Environments (4 credits)
SE 517 - Language and Exceptional Children and Youth (4 credits)
SE 524 - Assessment in Special Education (4 credits)
RDG 510 - Inquiry-Based Literacy Instruction (4 credits)
SE 532 - Introduction to Specific Learning Disability (4 credits)
SE 533 - Advanced Educational Procedures for Students with a Specific Learning Disability (4 credits)
SE 592 - Practicum: Specific Learning Disability K-12 (4 credits)

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

Relationship to the Master of Education in Special Education

Requirements for the certificate and endorsement programs are contained within the degree programs. Courses taken in an endorsement or certificate program may apply to the M.Ed. if taken within the six-year time frame allowed for the degree.