Sec. 13a.12.02.27. Specialized Professional Areas (Grades 7—12)

A. To receive certification in specialized professional areas (grades 7-12), the applicant shall complete one of the following options:

(1) Option I:

(a) An applicant shall have earned a bachelor’s or higher degree from an IHE in the area to be taught and provide official verification of 5 years of satisfactory career professional experience in the area to be taught; and

(b) Meet the professional education course work required in §B of this regulation; or

(2) Option II:

(a) An applicant shall have earned an associate’s degree in the area to be taught and provide official verification of 5 years of satisfactory career professional experience in the area to be taught; and

(b) Meet the professional education course work required in §B of this regulation; or

(3) Option III:

(a) An applicant shall have earned a secondary school diploma and provide official verification of 5 years of satisfactory career professional experience in the area to be taught; and

(b) Meet the professional education coursework as required in §B of this regulation.

B. Professional Education Courses.

(1) The applicant for specialized professional areas shall complete 12 semester hours of professional education course work, as provided in §B(2) of this regulation, from an IHE or through Department-approved Continuing Professional Development credits.

(2) The professional education course work shall include the following topics:

(a) Lesson planning and delivery of instruction;

(b) Assessing instruction;

(c) Diversifying instruction to accommodate special needs;

(d) Managing the instructional environment; and

(e) Providing literacy instruction relevant to the specialized professional area.

C. Special Provisions.

(1) Department-recognized specialized certifications from Department-approved professional organizations may be used in lieu of 2 years of career professional experience.

(2) This certification may only be used for instruction in a specialized program or at a specialized school.

(3) A list of specialized professional areas and approved professional organizations will be maintained by the Department.