This program is ideal for individuals who:

• Live or want to live on any island in Hawaii; and
• Already have a bachelor’s, master’s degree, or doctoral degree; and
• Are interested in becoming a licensed special education teacher

Additional considerations – This program option is also ideal for individuals who:

• Prefer a shorter (18-month), part-time program option
• Are already hired, or plan to be hired, as an emergency-hire special education teacher
• Are licensed in another area and would like to add special education to their current license, as well as adding a different age level for licensure (i.e., early childhood, elementary, secondary)
• Are interested in specializing in students with severe disabilities/autism who have extensive support needs (which is not available as an option for the Master of Education in Teaching dual licensure program)
• May be interested in continuing on for a master’s degree afterward

This program is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2028. Accreditation means that the College of Education (COE) meets the highest national standards for the preparation of teachers, administrators, and other professionals.

Upon completion of this program, qualified candidates will be recommended for initial teacher licensure in special education with a mild/moderate or severe/autism specialization at one of the following levels:

• Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (PK-3)
• Elementary Special Education Teacher (K-6)
• Secondary Special Education Teacher (6-12, covering middle or high school)

Once completing an initial teacher licensure program, graduates are eligible to apply for a state license through the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, which will allow the licensee to teach in public and charter schools in the State of Hawaii. As an added benefit, graduates from this program enter the HIDOE pay scale at Class III, which is equivalent to a master’s degree for entry salary.

Hawai’i also participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement which facilitates the mobility of educators among the states that are members of NASDTEC. UHM recommends you contact the office of certification in any state to which you may be relocating to get the most current information. See the NASDTEC website for more information.

Program Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Applicants must have graduated from an accredited, four-year institution of higher education that is recognized and accepted by UH Mānoa admissions
• 2.75 GPA or higher
  • Individuals who have a GPA below 2.5 must pursue amnesty prior to applying to the program to be eligible for admission. To learn more about our UHM College of Education amnesty policy, please contact our Office of Student Academic Services.

International Students: Due to visa requirements for UHM and Hawaii DOE employment, international students are unable to pursue our online or hybrid statewide programs, including those who wish to pursue online courses from their home country. However, individuals already living in Hawai‘i who have international transcripts for their degree are eligilible to apply and would need to submit NACES-approved transcript evaluations and translations if needed.

Prerequisite Requirements

All candidates must complete two prerequisite requirements prior to starting the program each Spring (January). However, all prospective candidates have the option to apply to the program first and then complete these prerequisite courses in the Fall semester. Information on how to register for these prerequisites would be provided upon acceptance to the program.

1. Program Seminar (SPED 501; 1 credit): Includes a new student orientation and introduction to the technology that will be used throughout the program.
2. Introductory Knowledge Course: Candidates will need to demonstrate basic introductory knowledge by enrolling and passing one of the following courses, based on their chosen specialization track (3 credits):
   • SPED 304 (for mild/moderate track only) – course is offered year-round, refer to this SPED 304 registration document for current course availability and how to register)
   • SPED 412 (for severe/autism track only) – course is only offered in Fall for the newly admitted candidates and information will be provided upon admission

Program Overview

• 18-month, Part-time program
• Statewide format (available on all islands)
• Cohorted
• 33 credits

This program is completed part-time over 18 months and can be completed from any island in the state. The program is cohorted and provided in a specific sequence by chosen track specialization: (a) mild/moderate disabilities, or (b) severe disabilities/autism. Please refer to the course sequences for each track specialization for more information on track-specific details.

Coursework (Online Classes + a few Face-to-Face Saturdays each semester)

Instructors and candidates engage in learning together in a virtual classroom setting (Zoom).  Classes are typically held two nights per week on weekdays from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm. A maximum of two content courses are taken each semester and over the summer. Twice each semester, class sessions are held together as a cohort on the UH-Mānoa campus on select Saturdays. Neighbor island candidates would travel to Oahu and some financial support is provided to assist with travel costs.

Fieldwork Courses & Student Teaching

In addition to coursework, candidates are required to register for one field course per semester, where they will be in a classroom setting approved by the program field coordinator each spring and fall semester. Fieldwork is completed part-time during the day in a local school. The final semester will be a full-time student teaching commitment. Candidates must take and pass the Praxis content knowledge exam in Special Education as part of their program requirements. Details on registering for the appropriate exam will be provided by the field coordinator during the program.

Types of Field Placements

Traditional placements are unpaid placements and are assigned by the field coordinator. Candidates observe and practice in a classroom with a licensed special education teacher.

In-place placements are for those already employed by a school as a non-licensed special education teacher. This field-based program is designed to accommodate those who may already be working in school settings across all islands of Hawaii, typically as an emergency-hire special education teacher. Positions working one-on-one with a student can not be approved to count toward field experiences. All candidates who are considering using their position to fulfill field requirements must first obtain approval from the program field coordinator. If approved, in-place candidates would receive additional support from our MUSE mentoring program.

Professional Dispositions

Lastly, all UHM candidates are expected to meet college-wide professional dispositions. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from program.

Mild/Moderate Disabilities Course Sequence

Prerequisite Knowledge Course: SPED 304
Course sequence shown below may be subject to change (Last Updated: April 2024)

SPRING I (9 credits)

SUMMER I (6 credits)

Candidates need to pass the Praxis Subject Assessment in their Special Education specialization area prior to student teaching. Candidates can take the exam during the summer or in the fall semester. The program field coordinator will share registration information and study materials. If you have questions consult with the program advisor or field coordinator prior to registering.

FALL I (9 credits)

SPRING II (9 credits)

Severe Disabilities/Autism Course Sequence

Prerequisite Knowledge Course: SPED 412
Course sequence shown below may be subject to change (Last Updated: April 2024)

SPRING I (9 credits)

SUMMER I (6 credits)

Candidates need to pass the Praxis Subject Assessment in their Special Education specialization area prior to student teaching. Candidates can take the exam during the summer or in the fall semester. The program field coordinator will share registration information and study materials. If you have questions consult with the program advisor or field coordinator prior to registering.

FALL I (9 credits)

SPRING II (9 credits)

TUITION COST

Note: This program charges undergraduate tuition rates. See: https://www.outreach.hawaii.edu/admissions-and-aid/tuition-and-fees/

• Resident: Approximately $471/credit x 33 credits = $15,500
• Non-Resident: Approximately $1,389/credit x 33 credits = $45,837
• WUE/WICHE: Approximately $706/credit x 33 credits = $23,298

DOE STIPENDS (33 credits of resident tuition rates = $15,500): Available to fund admitted candidates who agree to teach as a special education teacher in a Hawaii DOE school for a minimum of 3 years after program completion.

• Upon yearly renewal of funds, this funding opportunity will automatically be offered to all candidates upon admission to the program (no application required). If accepted, the stipend would be given each semester directly to the student while enrolled, therefore the stipend is considered taxable and may impact financial aid award.
• Prior to accepting stipend, Non-U.S. citizens need to inquire with the Hawaii DOE to determine eligibility for employment upon graduation.
• All courses must be passed with a B- or higher. Stipend does not cover costs related to retaking coursework.

Financial Aid (FAFSA):  Is available for this program. Submit your free application year-round to see if you qualify for student loans: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness:  Eligible to receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness after completing 5 years of teaching as a special education teacher in a Title I school. For more information, visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher

See the following sites for additional funding information:

• College of Education Scholarships
• UH Manoa Financial Aid Office (finaid@hawaii.edu)
• Kūlana Kumu Scholarship

To automatically receive updates and notifications once our next enrollment period opens, please complete the “Request More Info” form to be added to our contact list.

Application Deadlines

The application window for this program begins on May 1 each year and goes until October 1. All admitted applicants begin the program in January of the following Spring semester. Prerequisite courses begin in the Fall semester prior to the start of the program. Notification of admissions decisions will depend on whether you submit your application by the early admission or final admission deadline. Applications will no longer be accepted after October 1.

*Early Admission Review Option

A first round of admission reviews will be offered in July for all applicants who submit all their application materials by July 1st.  Additional reviews will occur after the priority deadline on September 1st and after the final deadline on October 1. As an added benefit, early admission applications who are admitted to the program and who are employed in emergency hire positions may have earlier access to our MUSE mentors, who can provide support navigating the special education teaching position upon acceptance and while waiting to begin the official program coursework in January.

Application Requirements

Please refer to the “How to Apply” page for more detailed information on each of these requirements and for information on when you can begin submitting your application materials.

• Official Transcripts for non-UH institutions
• Resumé
• Personal Statement
• Three (3) References (Name, Email, & Phone Number only)
• Video Recorded Responses & Essay