In an ever-evolving education system, students need teachers who are knowledgeable, compassionate and dedicated to their holistic success. Linfield University’s Online Elementary Plus Special Education (SPED) Certificate program equips aspiring teachers with the pedagogical expertise and in-classroom experience needed to excel.
Our part-time teaching certification program builds upon your academic background, whether you want to kick-start a new professional path or advance your career in education. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in any area of study, you can earn your Oregon teaching license in as little as 16 months without needing another degree.
Embark on an academic journey that cultivates a versatile skill set and instills a solid commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment where all students can thrive.
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Our online continuing education programs help you work toward your career goals by offering flexible enrollment options and course schedules. All your teaching certification courses — except for your in-classroom practicum — are 100% online, with evening and summer classes available. There’s also a blend of synchronous and asynchronous coursework, giving you even more flexibility to learn at your own speed.
Linfield proudly offers teacher preparation programs that are approved by Oregon’s Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). We intentionally structured our elementary and SPED certificate program around the required courses and clinical practicum experience to simplify earning your teaching license. Upon completing the program, you’ve fulfilled the requirements to receive your Oregon Preliminary Teaching license and begin your career as an educator.
Discover more about how to earn your teaching licensure
Our teaching certification program gets you out of Linfield’s online classrooms and into local school districts so you can begin your student-teaching experience. This clinical practicum is essential to your education and allows you to work firsthand with young learners and seasoned faculty members. From leading in-class instruction to tackling administrative responsibilities, your student-teaching role gives a sense of the profession, the required skills and its many rewards. You spend 600 hours in an elementary school classroom, learning alongside bright K-5 students. Already working as a teacher on a restricted license? We work collaboratively with school districts in an effort to arrange for on-the-job student teaching experiences.
Pursuing your teaching certificate in elementary education and special ed equips you with a highly versatile set of skills and helps you develop a culturally responsive pedagogical approach. Upon completing your prerequisites, your Linfield teaching certificate coursework consists of 13 classes plus a full-time student-teaching position in a classroom setting.
Our program curriculum covers various essential topics, ensuring you receive comprehensive training. Many of your classes focus on the foundational theories and skills needed to become a successful elementary school teacher, including classroom management methods, engaging instructional techniques and incorporating learning technologies.
Along with developing these practical skills, you also learn how to teach specific subject areas, such as literacy, mathematics, science and social studies. These core disciplines form the foundation of elementary education, so we make sure you know how to evaluate student performance, curate an age-appropriate curriculum, integrate educational resources and more.
Your special education courses further diversify your expertise. This specialized training empowers you with the tools to assess students with disabilities and create an individualized education program (IEP) that meets their unique needs, carry out classroom administration tasks and bring a culturally responsive approach to working with students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Once you’ve completed your online classes, you participate in a full-time student-teaching practicum in a local elementary school. During this supervised practicum, you work with children of all abilities in a classroom setting. These immersive learning experiences spur your professional development and solidify your practical skills.
Before beginning your dual certification in the Linfield elementary and special education program, you can complete your pre-education classes at an Oregon community college and transfer your credits. Transfer courses must be equivalent to:
Review transfer equivalencies from Clackamas, Chemeketa, Oregon Coast and Portland Community Colleges. Or, contact a Linfield admission counselor for additional information.
View course descriptions in the Linfield University Catalog.
Nationwide, schools and teachers are working to serve children with disabilities better, ensuring their classrooms offer a safe space that promotes inclusive learning and encourages the success of all students.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates an estimated 35,900 special education teacher positions opening each year through 2033. Oregon has a tremendous need for special education teachers and boasts some of the highest employment rates in the country. Working as a SPED teacher in Oregon also offers some of the highest salaries. Their annual income is typically $90,450 — over $20,000 more than the national average salary of $66,000.
Taking a broader look at the employment rates of elementary school teachers, the BLS projects almost 106,500 jobs will open annually through 2033. In fact, the BLS estimates that Oregon’s employment of elementary teachers will grow by 12% over the next ten years, creating 1,080 new jobs each year. These elementary teachers also earn an above-average salary of $82,000, which significantly exceeds the national median income of $63,670.
Be the solution to a growing need — earn your elementary plus SPED teaching credentials at Linfield and make a lasting impact on your community.
Linfield keeps the application process simple so you can focus on beginning your studies and planning for the future. For acceptance into our teaching certificate program, you must meet the following criteria:
When applying, simply submit your online application, including any supplemental materials, and pay a $50 application fee by the following deadlines:
Before beginning the application process, please review our more in-depth admission information.
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Linfield University strives to increase access to quality education by offering competitive tuition rates, helpful student resources and sound guidance from our Office of Financial Aid staff. With their support, you can invest in your future and yield many benefits.
Our elementary education plus special ed certificate program costs $260 per credit, or an estimated total of $13,250, including all tuition and fees. While federal financial aid is not available for endorsement programs, some school districts may reimburse or assist their employees who take these courses. We encourage you to contact your school district to see if this is an option.
Join education faculty and admission representatives to learn more about the online elementary and special ed certification program and application process.
Whether you want to be an elementary teacher or take a more specialized approach and work with students with various disabilities, Linfield University’s online Elementary Plus Special Education Teaching Certificate supports your growth as an up-and-coming educator. Take the next step toward earning your Oregon teaching certificate and helping students reach their full potential.
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