Certificate
7-week 100% online
Secondary Transition
The 15-credit-hour online Secondary Transition Certificate program equips professionals to prepare youth with disabilities to successfully transition to college, careers, and community life. Through the program, you will:
- Learn to implement evidence-based transition practices
- Develop skills to collaborate with family, school, and community partners; and
- Engage with peers who share your commitment to promoting positive postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities.
Complete the program at your own pace while receiving individualized support to ensure your success.
Have questions?
Our online enrollment specialists are here for you from registration to graduation. Contact us with questions about applying, financial aid, program details, student support and more. online@bgsu.edu | 419-372-3226
Program benefits
- Start in January, May, or August
- Take courses 100% online
- Enhance your professional knowledge
- Apply courses toward a master’s degree in special education
- Add to your credentials
Transition specialists continue to be a highly
in-demand career in education.
Courses/Cost/Time
15 credit hours
August starts can finish in 2 semesters
Tuition calculator
Advance your career
- Secondary educators—general, special, & career-technical educators
- Transition specialists
- School counselors
- Parent advocates
- Service and support administrators
- Vocational rehabilitation counselors
- Center for Independent Living staff
- Community rehabilitation providers
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 30-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.
I feel that this program provided me with the skills and tools to support students to lead successful adult lives with confidence. I would recommend this program to any educator looking to expand their reach of impact. BGSU offers a top-notch platform to make that happen.
Andrew Hampton
Student Support Coordinator, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center (former Vocational Special Educator)
BGSU's Secondary Transition program has been an invaluable opportunity for professional growth. As an out-of-state student working in the nonprofit sector with youth, I found the information and resources shared in classes to be relevant across state lines and employment settings.
Kelsey Trevethan
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Coordinator, Watauga Opportunities Inc., North Carolina
Sample courses
- Transition from School to Adult Life
- Competitive Employment, College, and Careers
- Transition Assessment and Instructional Strategies
- Partnerships in Work-based Learning
- Interagency Collaboration for Transition
BGSU is the only university in Ohio and one of just nine in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of our seven-week online programs. The certificate recognizes that our programs provide the critical services needed for student success and that we use student feedback to continuously improve those services.
You will be enrolled in and receive your graduate certificate from the College of Education & Human Development
Accreditation
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2022-2023, with our next reaffirmation of accreditation scheduled for 2032-2033. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
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Updated: 08/12/2024 02:37PM