Program Information
Program Highlights
Join a Vibrant Community of Practice
We invite you to join our virtual community of practice where you will learn with and from faculty and peers across various disciplines representing secondary education, counseling, career and employment services, and higher education. Students enjoy abundant opportunities for lively discussion as we grapple with contemporary challenges to providing effective transition planning and services. Sharing our diverse experiences, knowledge, and resources leverages learning for all.
Put Transition Knowledge into Practice
The Secondary Transition Certificate program prepares professionals to advance their careers with relevant coursework and an emphasis on putting transition knowledge into practice. Each course offers opportunities for real-world learning in school and/or community contexts. In fact, our students often comment that the skills they learn in class are immediately applicable to their everyday work with transition-age youth.
Become a Leader in Secondary Transition
Program graduates are prepared to assume leadership positions in the provision of transition education and services within their K-12 schools, community agencies, and institutes of higher education. Program coursework is referenced to national Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Advanced Preparation Standards for Transition Specialists. A graduate certificate in secondary transition from BGSU assures potential employers that you possess the knowledge and skills necessary to support youth with disabilities as they transition from high school to adult life.
Earn a Master’s Degree
The program can be completed as a stand-alone certificate or as part of the M.Ed. in Special Education with a Specialization in Secondary Transition. Students who complete the 15-credit-hour certificate program need only six additional courses to complete the 31-credit-hour master’s program. Working professionals can complete the master’s program in under two years.
The program leads to the State of Ohio Transition-to-Work Endorsement for eligible individuals. The program does not lead to initial teacher licensure.
Course Requirements
EDIS 6450 Transition from School to Adult Life
Provides an overview of the transition of students with disabilities from school to adult roles. Primary emphases on transition planning and services, strategies for effectively preparing students to achieve their postsecondary goals, and adult environments and service delivery systems.
EDIS 6620 Competitive Employment, College, and Careers
This course is intended to provide students with a person-centered approach to career planning and development for youth with disabilities. Consideration will be given to the needs of both youth transitioning into the competitive workforce and youth pursuing postsecondary education.
EDIS 6610 Transition Assessment and Instructional Strategies
This course focuses on the use of person-centered, ongoing transition assessment to guide the transition planning process for youth with disabilities. Also addressed is the application of evidence-based instructional practices to support students’ development and achievement of postsecondary goals.
EDWF 6700 Partnerships in Work-based Learning
Development of collaborative partnerships and administration of work-based learning (WBL) programs; curricular development; legal requirements; identification and facilitation of appropriate accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities in WBL programs.
EDIS 6901, 6902, and 6903 Interagency Collaboration for Transition
These 1-credit-hour courses are designed to prepare students to partner effectively with school personnel, community service providers, employers, families, and community members on behalf of transition-age youth with disabilities. Students will complete a series of practical application activities across education, employment, and independent living environments and will demonstrate the ability to apply strategies for collaboration within the local school district and community context.
