Certifications Offered
Teach! Initial Certification with Dual Certification in Special Education
Overview
Special Educators earn their initial certification in general and special education.
How It Works
The Dual Certification pathway follows the same structure as our Teach! Initial Certification, with the added semester of specialized coursework in Special Education. Participants complete their General Education coursework first, then enroll in SPED Pro, a structured curriculum that ensures comprehensive preparation for special education classrooms.
After completing Phase One: Coursework, participants transition into Phase Two: Coaching, where they receive personalized coaching and support as lead Special Education teachers of record.
Certification Timeline
Our 100% virtual Dual Certification path ensures that educators are prepared to teach both general and special education students, expanding career opportunities while meeting the needs of diverse classrooms.
Phase One: Coursework
In-depth, content-specific coursework is taught by Champion Educators through live Zoom sessions.
- Fully virtual course sessions
Curriculum grounded in practical application
Interactive discussion and practice-based sessions
Supportive learning environment with personalized coaching
Preparation to create safe, structured classroom communities and develop deep content knowledge and instructional skills focused on student outcomes
Phase Two: Special Education (SPED) Pro Coursework
Once General Education coursework is completed, participants enroll in SPED Pro, which provides specialized instruction on supporting special education students.
SPED Pro Format:
Fall: 14 Thursday evening sessions (6-8 p.m.) + 3 full-day Saturday sessions (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- First Thursday in September to the second Thursday in December
- Spring: 14 Thursday evening sessions (6-8 p.m.) + 3 full-day Saturday sessions (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- First Thursday of the second full week in January to the last week in April or the first week in May (depending on Spring Break)
Summer: 23 weekday morning sessions (Monday-Friday, 9-11 a.m.)
- First Monday in June to the first week of July with an off for Juneteenth
SPED Pro Literacy Requirement:
If participants need additional literacy coursework, they will take:
Fall: 10 Tuesday evening sessions (6-8 p.m.) with no session following a SPED Saturday
- Third Tuesday in September to the second Tuesday in December
Spring: 10 Tuesday evening sessions (6-8 p.m.) with no session following a SPED Saturday
- Last Tuesday in January to the last week in April or the first week in May (depending on Spring Break)
Summer: 10 sessions every other day (1-3 p.m.)
- Every other day from the first week of June to the first week of July
Summer Cohort
General Education Coursework Sessions begin June 2, 2025
- Complete Phase One: Coursework
- June 2 - July 10, 2025
- Monday - Thursday
- Live Sessions from 9:00 - 11:00 am & 1:00 - 3:00 pm
- Complete the full program in 12 months
Once General Education Coursework is completed, participants begin their SPED Pro coursework the following semester.
Special Education Coursework Sessions begin September 4, 2025
- Complete Special Education Coursework
- September 4, 2025 - December 11, 2025
- Thirteen Live, Virtual Thursday Evening Sessions from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Three Live, Virtual Saturday Sessions from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
- September 20, 2025
- October 18, 2025
- December 6, 2025
- Begin Phase Two: Coaching in January 2026
- Complete the full program in 19 months
Fall Cohort
General Education Coursework Sessions begin September 17, 2025
- Complete Phase One: Coursework
- September 17, 2025 - March 24, 2026
- Tuesday & Thursday Evening
- Live Sessions from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Complete the full program in 21 months
Once General Education Coursework is completed, participants begin their SPED Pro coursework the following semester.
Special Education Coursework Sessions begin June 1, 2026
- June 1 - July 8, 2026
- Live, virtual sessions from 9:00 - 11:00 am
- Begin Phase Two: Coaching in August 2026
- Complete the full program in 21 months
Spring Cohort
General Education Coursework Sessions begin January 18, 2026
- Complete Phase One: Coursework
- January 18 - June 30, 2026
- Tuesday & Thursday Evening
- Live Sessions from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Complete the full program in 17 months
Once General Education Coursework is completed, participants begin their SPED Pro coursework the following semester.
Special Education Coursework Sessions begin June 1, 2026
- June 1 - July 8, 2026
- Live, virtual sessions from 9:00 - 11:00 am
- Begin Phase Two: Coaching in August 2026
- Complete the full program in 17 months
Phase Three: Coaching & Practitioner Year
Individualized coaching and classroom support from a Champion Coach as you teach in your own classroom while holding a Practitioner License.
Eligibility
- Pass the required Praxis Content exams for your certification area
- Hired as a lead teacher of record within your certification area
- Completed and proficient with Phase One: Coursework
- Participants teach full-time for a state-required minimum of 180 days
- Practitioner’s License is valid in any public, private, or charter school
Experience
- Individualized coaching and observations for the enactment of Coursework skills
- At least three cycles of coaching, observations, and feedback based on teaching and student data
- Collaboration with school-based leaders and mentors
- Support with implementing high-quality instructional materials and meeting the needs of all learners
- Support with Special Education Caseload and IEP management
Timeline
- Entry points at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters are based on Practitioner License eligibility
- Practitioners who have completed Phase One Coursework and are not yet eligible for their Practitioner License will engage in live Praxis Support classes.
Program Costs
No hidden costs - full disclosure up-front of program fees
- $5,250 for Dual Certification in General and Special Education ($500 discount for paying in full)
- Praxis Exam fees vary by license area and are not included in the program fees
- Additional fees apply for repeating courses and extending the certification timeline.
A partial payment is required to enroll in the program. We work with individuals to arrange flexible payment options. Many of our district and school partners offer full or partial reimbursement for your program fees.
Enrollment Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Official undergraduate transcript from an accredited college or university, showing the degree, conferral date, and GPA. A scanned copy is acceptable as long as it’s an official document (not a web download).
Valid Identification Documents
Provide a current driver's license and Social Security card as proof of identity. These documents must be valid and up to date.
Praxis Content Exam
Passing Praxis Content Scores are required for official acceptance and to obtain your Practitioner License, a key part of your certification. However, you can apply and begin coursework without passing the Praxis exams, as conditional enrollment is allowed.
Praxis Core is no longer required by Louisiana.
Application Timeline
Applications are open for all cohorts!
Summer 2025 Cohort
Applications open January 20th and close May 27th.
Applications are now open!
Fall 2025 Cohort
Applications open June 1st and close September 16th. June 1st is a Sunday.
Spring 2026 Cohort
Applications open October 1st and close January 13th.
School Year 2025-26
Applicants who are interested in joining our upcoming cohorts can apply anytime!
Application Process
Step 1
Application
- Complete the free online application
Step 2
Group Interview
- Complete Interview Prework
- Attend a live Zoom group interview
Step 3
Enrollment
- Sign contract
- Upload Official Undergraduate Transcript & Personal Identification Documents
- Upload Praxis Content Exams, if passed
- Enroll in the payment plan
Praxis Content Support
As part of your certification journey, all practitioners must pass the applicable Praxis Content exams for their certification area prior to holding their Practitioner License. Practitioners may engage in Phase One Coursework without passing their Praxis Content exams, but they must pass in order to engage in Phase Two Coaching.
Praxis Support
LRCE provides all practitioners with free access to 240 Tutoring to prepare for their test(s).
Practitioners who finish the Phase One Coursework and have not yet passed their Praxis Content Exams will engage in live Praxis Support Classes at no additional cost.
Praxis Registration
LRCE ETS Code: 6377