Graduate Certificate in Special Education at UMPI

Discover our 100% online SED Grad Certification

Are you a licensed educator looking to enhance your skills in special education? The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s (UMPI) YourPace program offers a fully online Graduate Certificate in Special Education tailored for working professionals like you.

This 12-credit, graduate-level certificate provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills to support diverse learners and address the complex needs of students with disabilities. Through this flexible and affordable option, you can earn recertification credits, explore master’s-level courses, or build specialized credentials without committing to a full master’s degree.

Designed with today’s educators in mind, this competency-based program allows you to progress at your own pace, making it ideal for those balancing work, life, and career advancement. Whether you’re aiming to complete your certification quickly or take it one course at a time, UMPI’s YourPace learning model supports your goals with a student-first approach.

As one of the most affordable options among top universities offering master’s certificates, this program positions you for long-term impact in inclusive education settings and on your own schedule.

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What Is Competency-Based Education?

Designed to leverage your previous knowledge, college coursework, and work experience, competency-based education enables you to earn your degree at your pace as you demonstrate mastery of relevant academic content.

How our YourPace online programs save you time and money:

Prove your knowledge, move ahead—the faster you advance, the more you save
Flat tuition rate per 8-week session, no matter how many courses you complete
With no weekly deadlines, you control the speed of completion*

*Time to completion varies by student and is based on several factors including prior college coursework, relevant work experience, amount of time dedicated to studying, and the number of courses completed each session.

Upcoming Session Dates

The Dates YourPace Students need to know

There are six opportunities throughout the year to begin our YourPace online program. Find the start date below that works best for you and apply before the application deadline. Please note, application and document deadlines are the same. UMPI must receive all documents including official transcripts by the document deadline to be considered. Transcripts can often take 10 or more business days from the request date to be received by UMPI, please plan accordingly.

Term	APP DEADLINE (4:00 PM ET)	DOCUMENT DEADLINE	CONFIRMATION DEADLINE (4:00 PM ET)	REGISTRATION DEADLINE	TUITION DEADLINE	START DATE	CLASS END DATE	Term Length
Fall 1	08/01/25	08/12/25	08/19/25	08/26/25	08/28/25	09/02/25	10/24/25	8 weeks
Fall 2	09/26/25	10/07/25	10/14/25	10/21/25	10/23/25	10/27/25	12/19/25	8 weeks
Spring 1	12/12/25	12/23/25	12/30/25	01/06/26	01/08/26	01/12/26	03/06/26	8 weeks
Spring 2	02/06/26	02/17/26	02/24/26	03/03/26	03/05/26	03/09/26	05/01/26	8 weeks
Summer 1	04/10/26	04/21/26	04/28/26	05/05/26	05/07/26	05/11/26	07/03/26	8 weeks
Summer 2	06/05/26	06/16/26	06/23/26	06/30/26	07/02/26	07/07/26	08/28/26	8 weeks

YourPace Graduate Certificate in Special Education Program Offerings

UMPI’s Graduate Certificate in Special Education is designed to equip educators with the tools necessary to effectively support students with diverse learning needs. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices, collaborative strategies, and data-driven decision-making to foster inclusive educational environments.

Explore Our Online Graduate Certificate in Special Education

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a flexible, fully online program designed for educators and professionals who want to expand their ability to support diverse learners across inclusive educational settings.

Through this competency-based program, you’ll gain graduate-level knowledge and practical strategies to address the needs of students with disabilities. You’ll explore topics such as data-driven instruction, inclusive teaching practices, and legal and ethical issues in special education. Whether you’re earning recertification credits, preparing for a leadership role, or exploring master’s-level courses, this program offers the flexibility and relevance you need to advance your career.

UMPI’s YourPace format lets you progress on your own schedule, making it an ideal choice for working educators and professionals balancing career and family commitments. With 12 credits of rigorous coursework, the program equips you with actionable skills that can be immediately applied in your school or organization.

This graduate certificate is a valuable credential for:

Licensed teachers seeking recertification credits
Education professionals exploring master’s certificates
Administrators and specialists expanding their special education expertise

Anyone looking to enhance their credentials through graduate courses in an affordable, online formatGraduates of the program will be well-positioned to provide meaningful support in a range of K–12 or higher education environments. Upon completion, you’ll receive an official Graduate Certificate in Special Education, recognized across the U.S. and respected by school districts and educational institutions.

Take the next step in your career with one of the most affordable and flexible online special education graduate programs available. Learn how this certificate can help you make a lasting impact on students with diverse learning needs—while gaining a credential that strengthens your professional profile. Meeting the diverse needs of students is a valuable and highly relevant skill set, and teachers looking to recertify can use these courses to start working toward a master’s certificate.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Graduate SED Certification Online Program offers an affordable flat tuition rate, ensuring you pay the same amount per session regardless of how many courses you complete. With no hidden fees or additional textbook costs, this flexible competency-based education program allows you to save more the faster you finish. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your degree or complete courses at your own pace, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing and a cost-effective learning experience through the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans on the FAFSA website. UMPI school code 002033

Tuition breakdown:

$2,450 per session

Flat-Rate Tuition

Have questions or need more information about competency-based education?

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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from UMPI?

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UMPI is ranked as one of the top 10 Regional Colleges in the North for graduates with least debt—UMPI is the top institution in Maine and all of New England to appear on this list. – U.S. News & World Report, 2024.

EXPECT to Finish at YourPace

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YourPace Admissions

Requirements for these SED Graduate Certification program offerings

We’ve made the admission process simple and streamlined so it’s easier for you to get started. Those interested in earning their competency-based education Graduate degree in SED should have an undergraduate degree and possess some prior college credit and/or work experience.

Admission Requirements:

No Application Fee

Minimum 3.0 GPA

We’ve streamlined the admission process so it’s easy for you to get started. Here is the information you need to apply:

Admission Requirements (Graduate)

The University requirement for admission to any master’s degree program is the demonstration of the completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or from a recognized foreign institution. Matriculation into the program will be granted upon receipt of their officially conferred degree. Once matriculated, students will be eligible to enroll in classes.
Applicants must submit an official transcript from the college or university from which their bachelor’s degree or equivalency was granted, excluding the University of Maine System (UMS) campuses. (UMS transcripts are accessible to UMPI.)
Official transcripts from any institution from which you have earned graduate credit are required for credit transfer evaluation. A maximum of six credits can be applied to graduate programs. Graduate-level credit may be evaluated provided the credits were earned from a regionally accredited U.S. university or a comparable international university.
Official transcripts must be sent by the institution directly to edocs@maine.edu or an institution-approved transcript service (Parchment and the National Student Clearing House).
Applicants whose GPAs are less than 3.0 are required to submit a personal statement. The personal statement (not to exceed 500 words) should reflect the applicant’s ability to write at the graduate level, with attention to appropriate grammar, spelling, form, and structure in preparing the statement. Applicants are asked to respond to the following:
- Explain how you will ensure your academic success in this graduate program and overcome challenges you may have experienced with your undergraduate program of studies.

International students are eligible to apply and enroll; however, an I-20 will NOT be provided as this is a fully online degree program. In addition to the standard admissions requirements, international students must also meet the additional requirements specific to international applicants.

Specific Requirements for International Students

Students from around the world are eligible and welcome to apply. Please note that additional requirements related to English Proficiency and international transcripts may be applicable. For full International Students YourPace Admissions requirments, please use the button below.

International Requirements

YourPace SED Graduate Certification Courses

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace SED Certification Program is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s special educationl landscape. Select the tab below to explore the degree option that aligns with your goals and start building a strong foundation for your future success.

Graduate Certificate in Special Education Courses

SED Certificate Competency-Based Domains and Course Mapping

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a fully online, competency-based program designed for educators and professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in supporting diverse learners. This program meets the specialized training requirements for educators working with students who have disabilities, ensuring they possess the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality, inclusive education.

UMPI’s Graduate Certificate in Special Education program is designed to accommodate individuals from various backgrounds, offering flexible learning options that allow you to complete your coursework at your own pace. The program prepares educators to deliver targeted support, develop individualized education plans (IEPs), and foster an inclusive learning environment for all students.

Whether you are looking to advance your career in special education or gain specialized skills to better support diverse learners, UMPI’s Graduate Certificate in Special Education provides a pathway to achieve your goals.

Program Requirements – 12 Credit Hours

This competency will guide you through analyzing the importance of the Individual Education Program as well as best practices and alignment to the students’ disability. When you’ve completed the competency, you’ll know how to write a complete IEP with data from the students’ psycho-educational evaluation as well as teacher and parent input.

Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) assists both general education and special education teachers as they make crucial decisions regarding curriculum, lesson plans, and student adaptations. Students will apply skills of data-driven decision making to their instructional design.

This course focuses on application of strategies of conflict resolution to promote effective communication and collaboration in the school setting. Students will be able to analyze their individual needs to develop a goal-oriented written plan which will help them further develop their communication skills, particularly in the area of special education.

Students will be able to define the elements of executive functioning, differentiate between disability and deficits in the IEP, and explain why executive functioning skills are key to learning. Students will be able to identify how deficits in executive functioning may present in learners and how they impact a student’s education and school experience. Students will examine and evaluate resources and techniques that support executive functioning skills. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop programming as reflected through the IEP process, including progress monitoring to address the needs of learners with executive functioning deficits. Finally, students will reflect on how programming choices build independence for learners as they develop executive functioning skills.

View Course Catalog YourPace Course Search

NECHE

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

University of Maine System

UMPI is a respected member of the University of Maine System.

C-BEN

UMPI is proud to be a member institution in the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN).

What can you do with a SED Graduate Certification?

Next Step: Admissions

We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!

No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!

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Graduate Certificate in Special Education at UMPI