College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Services
www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes

About This Program

The Special Education Transition to Work Endorsement Preparation program program is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills they need to support students with disabilities in transitioning from school to work. Read more...

Contact Information

• Rob Cimera | rcimera@kent.edu |
  330-672-2294

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum overall 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale of most recent degree completed
• Official transcript(s)
• Starting with spring 2025 admission term: Evidence of valid Resident Educator or Professional Intervention Specialist or Career-Technical State of Ohio teaching license or a valid Professional State of Ohio Pupil Services license
• Interview with Transition-to-Work program coordinator
• Experience teaching students with moderate-to-intensive disabilities or the completion of 15 credit hours of moderate-to-intensive coursework

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Licensure Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Licensure Information

Prior to program completion, the candidate must demonstrate proficiencies in the following areas (including but not limited to): data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilizing and supporting appropriate technology for the discipline; and application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

1. Develop an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) that fits the unique needs of an individual with disabilities.
2. Create job development plans.
3. Create community-based curriculum for students with intensive disabilities.
4. Create curricula to teach residential skills to students with intensive disabilities.

Residence Requirement Policy for Non-Degree Teacher Education Licensure/Endorsement Preparation Programs

• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs  that are a total of 15 credits or above: Students must complete 60% of the coursework at Kent State University, including the course that addresses the CAEP A.1.1 Standard as designated by the program area.
• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are less than 15 total credits: Students must complete 100% of the coursework at Kent State University.
• Students are permitted 6 years to complete licensure  programs and  4 years to complete endorsement programs at Kent State University.
• Coursework transferred from another university cannot be more than 6 years old at the time the licensure/endorsement program is completed.
• Students who do not meet the residence requirements will not be recommended for licensure by Kent State University.

Full Description

The Special Education Transition-to-Work Endorsement Preparation non-degree program is designed for special educators who wish to prepare 4th- through 12th-grade students with disabilities for adult life. In addition to employment, this program also addresses issues related to residential, recreational, continuing education and other outcomes experienced by adults with and without disabilities.

The Kent State Transition-to-Work endorsement leads to a single qualification applicable to all former transition roles (e.g., work study, VOSE, Option IV). For more information regarding the standards governing the endorsement, please visit Ohio's Department of Education.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure. Coursework from a master's degree in special education may apply towards endorsement requirements.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.