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Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education

Total Credit Hours

18

Cost Per Credit Hour

$353

Earn Your Certification to Help Students with Special Needs

LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, delivered through LSU Online, is a CAEP-accredited add-on certification that prepares teachers to support diverse learners while earning a salary in the classroom.

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CAEP Accredited

This program meets rigorous national standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

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Earn While You Learn

Work as a teacher and earn a salary while working on the Mild-Moderate Special Education add-on certification.

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Become More Marketable

Increase your personal marketability by becoming certified to teach Special Education.

Earn an Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education from LSUA

Focuses on supporting students with high-incidence disabilities

Teaches assessment, IEP development, and progress monitoring

Flexible online format with live, real-time interaction with instructors

Prepares graduates to complete required Praxis exams based on current certification

Designed to equip educators with practical skills to help students with special needs succeed

Teacher instructing students in classroom

Accredited

Admissions

Whether you’re returning to school or advancing your career, our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way.

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Apply by

Dec 14, 2026

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Classes begin

Jan 11, 2027

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be employed as a certified teacher in Louisiana with a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Re-enrollment for LSUA

Although LSUA has six sessions (terms) a year, there are only three semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer).  Summer enrollment is optional and will not affect student records.

One Semester
Students who are not enrolled for one entire semester (both Fall terms or both Spring terms) will need to complete the "I am Coming Back Form" at least two weeks before the term starts to let us know they are returning so we can reactivate their record.  

More Than One Semester
Students who are not enrolled for more than one full semester (Fall ELearn1 and ELearn2 AND ELearn1 of Spring – or all of Spring ELearn1 and ELearn2 and ELearn1 of Fall) will have to reapply.  Students do not have to resubmit documents that we already have but would need to submit new transcripts from any school attended while absent from LSUA.  Re-entry students are eligible to be re-admitted. 

Which Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is Right for You?

LSUA's PBC Flowchart

Tuition

18 credit hours
Total credit hours per program
$353
Cost per credit hour
$1,765
Total cost with fees and maximum transfer credits
$6,354
Total cost with fees

LSUA programs offer competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees, making it easier to plan for the cost of your degree. You may also be able to save more by transferring eligible credits.

Tuition & Fees

The final cost of this program will be determined once all transfer credits are evaluated. For the PBC in Mild-Moderate Special Education, you are able to transfer up to 75% of previous credits.

The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.

Financial Aid Available

LSUA offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including credit for prior learning (PLA), financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.

Academics

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education (Grades 1-5) Mild-Moderate allows individuals who are already state-certified teachers to complete the coursework required for add-on certification in Special Education (Grades 1-5) Mild to Moderate.

Courses

Special Education Grades 1-5, Mild Moderate (18 hours)

Course Credit Hours

SPED 3701

3

SPED 3702

3

SPED 4701

3

SPED 4703

3

EDCI 2900

3

EDCI 4200

3

Special Education Grades 6-12, Mild-Moderate (18 hours)

Course Credit Hours

SPED 2701

3

SPED 3701

3

SPED 3702

3

SPED 4701

3

SPED 4703

3

EDCI 2900

3

EDCI 2700: Characteristics of Exceptional Children is a pre-req for the SPED courses. If an applicant does not have this course, it can be taken online through LSUA. LSUA has a robust transfer policy with 15 Louisiana Colleges and dozens of out-of-state schools included. Courses from schools not in our current policy will be evaluated upon application or an applicant can email online@lsua.edu and request an evaluation of a specific course from a specific school and year. If a student has not taken EDCI 2700, they can still be admitted but must take it as their first course.

What Will I Learn?

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Program completers know the subject matter they are to teach
  • Program completers will develop differentiated lessons that reflect learning-theory and research-based strategies
  • Program completers will apply the basic principles of teaching and learning

LSU Alexandria's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education (Grades 1-5 program & 6-12 program) is designed to prepare teachers with skills needed to help students with special needs succeed. Once an applicant completes this program, they will need to take Praxis tests for each certificate. The specific Praxis tests required depends on your current certification.

Licensure & Certification

Learn more about specific LSUA programs leading to licensure and certifications.

Why Choose This Program?

Many teachers in Louisiana are asked to teach outside their area of certification. They have three years to get certified within appropriate areas. With more emphasis on inclusion in schools, many teachers are also expected to teach students with a wide range of abilities.

The Department of Education at Louisiana State University at Alexandria has as its mission the promotion of quality instruction, stimulating scholarship, rigorous academic standards, and respect for the dignity of each future teacher, resulting in impacting the lives of these future teachers, their students and the world in which they live.

Careers

This certificate in special education from LSUA makes teachers more versatile in the classroom and opens up more employment opportunities. Additionally, the program’s online format is ideal for busy professionals, so teachers can continue working while learning new skills.

Career Opportunities

  • Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
  • Elementary Special Education Teacher
  • Secondary Special Education Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are required for the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education?

The 18 credit hours in LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, delivered through LSU Online, follow one of two tracks. The Grades 1-5 track includes SPED 3701, SPED 3702, SPED 4701, SPED 4703, EDCI 2900, and EDCI 4200. The Grades 6-12 track replaces EDCI 4200 with SPED 2701. Coursework focuses on high-incidence disabilities, assessment, IEP development, and progress monitoring.

Which Praxis exams are required after the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education?

Once you complete LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, delivered through LSU Online, you will take Praxis tests for each certificate you are adding. The specific Praxis exams depend on your current certification, so confirm yours with an Enrollment Coach. The program is designed to prepare you to complete the required exams for either the Grades 1-5 or Grades 6-12 track.

What financial aid options are available for the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education?

LSUA offers several ways to help you pay for your degree, including credit for prior learning, financial aid, and veteran education benefits. LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, offered through LSU Online, is 18 credit hours at $353 per credit hour, for a total cost with fees of $6,354. Because you earn your certification while working as a teacher, you can keep earning a salary in the classroom. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Please consult an Enrollment Coach for the final program cost.

Learn more.

What career outcomes can I expect from the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education?

Teachers who complete LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, delivered through LSU Online, can pursue roles as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Elementary Special Education Teacher, or Secondary Special Education Teacher. Many Louisiana teachers are asked to teach outside their area of certification and have three years to get certified in the appropriate areas, so this certification can make you more versatile in the classroom.

Can I take EDCI 2700 online before starting the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education?

Yes. EDCI 2700 Characteristics of Exceptional Children is a prerequisite for the SPED courses in LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, offered through LSU Online, and LSUA offers it online. If you have not taken it, you can still be admitted, but must take it as your first course. Applicants must be employed as a certified teacher in Louisiana and hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

How many credits can I transfer into the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education?

You can transfer up to 75% of previous credits into LSUA's online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Mild-Moderate Special Education, delivered through LSU Online. LSUA's transfer policy includes 15 Louisiana colleges and dozens of out-of-state schools, and courses from other schools are evaluated when you apply. You can also email online@lsua.edu to request an evaluation of a specific course. The final cost is set once transfer credits are evaluated.

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Ready to reach your goals?

Take the first step forward by completing the form, and our enrollment team will contact you soon to discuss:

  • What program meets your academic and career goals
  • Financial aid options (employer funding, military benefits)
  • Receiving credit for past education (transfer, professional development)
  • The admissions process and timeline

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