Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education

Program overview

Athabasca University’s online Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education is intended primarily for teachers who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of special needs. The curriculum includes

• assessment and instructional strategies to meet the needs of special needs students
• social, emotional and behavioural development of students with special needs
• appropriate expectations for included students
• individual program plans (IPPs)
• classroom and behaviour management plans

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 1 year of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion, however we recommend finishing the certificate within 6 years.

Admission requirements

You must have completed a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent to apply to this program.

We also strongly recommend that you have the equivalent of an introductory course in special education before you start this program. If you don’t, you should take EDPY/PSYC 389 or EDPY 351 (or an equivalent) before taking any of the core courses for the certificate.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit. This could mean fewer courses to get your AU certificate.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 12 credits at AU.

• Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

If you have previous credentials in special education, you should contact the program coordinator before enrolling in this program.

Program requirements

To complete the program you will need to fulfil all the requirements of the certificate.

• Requirements: Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education

Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

• Program plan: Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education

Required courses

Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following link:

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

• Calculate your course cost

You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.

Program learning outcomes

As a result of completing this program, students should be able to

• Describe the cognitive, physical, academic, social, emotional, and behavioural development and the needs of students with a diverse range of special needs.
• Discuss assessment tools (to assess the areas of cognition, reading, language, math, social skills, and behaviour) that are appropriate for the specific learning challenges of students with special needs.
• Develop instructional strategies (in the areas of cognition, reading, language, math, social skills, and behaviour) that are appropriate for the specific learning challenges of students with special needs, identified by assessment tools.
• Create comprehensive individual program and behavioural plans (including student needs, assessment results, instructional strategies, assistive technology needs, short and long term objectives, plans for collaboration with others, and transition plans) that appropriately meet the needs of a diverse range of students with special needs that focus on the inclusion of children.
• Formulate a plan to consult and collaborate with parents of children with diverse learning needs, and with the necessary educators, educational professionals, health professionals, and community services.
• Evaluate information from online and traditional resources that directly relates to course content with proven scientific evidence and credibility, to support students with a diverse range of learning abilities.

Continuing education

At Athabasca University:

• Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education
• Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Master of Counselling
• Bachelor of General Studies
• Post-Master's Certificate in Counselling

At other educational institutions*

• graduate studies in education or other related/unrelated disciplines
• library science
• law
• social work

* Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other educational institutions.