Graduate Certificate in Transition to Work at University of Cincinnati

The Special Education program is focused on providing pre- and in-service professionals with knowledge, skills and experience in special education in order to improve learning outcomes and quality of life for children with special needs. Transition planning is a critical component in special education, which involves a coordinated set of activities to identify post-school goals for students and provide transition services during schools. Due to the nature of the discipline, the proposed graduate certificate program will be housed in the Special Education program, which will focus on teaching specialized knowledge and skills to transition stakeholders in facilitating the transition from school to post-school life for students with disabilities. The Transition to Work Graduate Certificate program is designed to increase the transition-related knowledge and skills of the various individuals involved in the transition process, such as transition specialists, intervention specialists, special education administrators, service providers (e.g., counselors and occupational therapists), vocational rehabilitation counselors, parents, advocates, and or any individual who is interested in expanding his/her knowledge in the area of transition-focused special education.  This graduate certificate program will equip candidates with specialized knowledge and skills in transition-related legislations and policies, transition procedures, best practices in transition, transition focused instruction and curriculum, and interagency collaboration, so they can become field leaders to facilitate transition planning and incorporate effective transition services as mandated by Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).