Special Education Endorsement

The Special Education Endorsement Program at the University of Montana is designed to prepare teachers to work with children and students who are at risk for developmental disabilities and children and students with identified disabilities in inclusive P-12 settings.

Courses are designed to address national and state standards that have been endorsed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) to promote professional competencies and key skills for teachers who will serve in special education roles. The endorsement includes a real-world clinical component where enrolled students gain experience working in classrooms with students of special need.

UM offers undergraduate and graduate programs in special education for those seeking initial teaching licensure or those seeking to add a special education endorsement to a current teaching license. Special Education does not qualify as a stand-alone licensure area in Montana and those seeking to add the endorsement must either be currently licensed or pursuing licensure in a general education content area (elementary, secondary, K-12).

• Special Education Endorsement Program of Study - Undergraduate/Graduate

Undergraduate students not yet admitted to the Teacher Education Program will simultaneously apply for the special education teaching minor when applying for admission to the TEP.

Undergraduate students currently enrolled in the Teacher Education Program seeking to add the special education teaching minor must complete the Special Education Minor application.

1. Complete a post-baccalaureate application with Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Complete the Department of Teaching & Learning Submittable application for either a secondary education or elementary education teaching license.

Currently licensed teachers interested in pursuing the special education endorsement at the post-baccalaureate level:

1. Complete a post-baccalaureate application with Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Complete the Department of Teaching & Learning Special Education Endorsement application.

Currently licensed teachers interested in pursuing the special education endorsement at the graduate level:

1. Complete a graduate application with Graduate Admissions.
2. Complete Teacher Education Program Special Education Endorsement application.

Please reference the Master’s Degree webpage.

Current UM M.Ed. students completing an initial elementary or secondary teaching license may pursue the special education endorsement as a teaching minor.

1. Complete the Special Education Minor application.

Kristi Steinberg
Licensure & Assessment Manager
Teacher Education Services
kristine.steinberg@umontana.edu
406-243-2121