Graduate Special Education Licensure

Tuition: $499/credit*

The Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) license prepares teachers to serve the needs of students with mild to moderate academic and social needs in the disability areas of learning disabilities (LD), emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD), developmental cognitive disabilities (DCD), other health disorders (OHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The ABS offering at St. Scholastica is an additional licensure, added to elementary, secondary or K-12 teaching licenses. The role of the Academic Behavioral Strategist is to collaborate and consult with families, classroom, and special education teachers and other service providers to design and implement individualized education program plans that serve students with mild to moderate disabilities.

Our graduate licensure program was created in collaboration with the K-12 community. Coursework is grounded in research and best practices and instills teachers with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to promote learning for students with disabilities. The program will build reflective practitioners who work to facilitate inclusion as a way to meet the needs of academically and behaviorally diverse learners in order to provide them the educational experiences in which they are encouraged, valued and respected. In addition to fostering students’ efficacy, addressing the attitudes and biases of others toward individuals with disabilities is equally important. The varied courses, school-based projects and assessments, and field experiences enable the mastery of core skills for teaching special education, and those specific to an Academic and Behavioral Strategist.

Work Toward Your Master’s while Earning Your Teaching License

Our program is designed to meet the requirements of a Master of Science while you are working toward your Minnesota Academic and Behavioral Strategist teaching license. This means you’ll be able to enhance your work in the teaching profession with a master’s degree, giving you more earning potential, additional credentials and a full understanding of how to be an effective special education teacher. If you’re not interested in earning a Master of Science degree and simply want your Academic and Behavioral Strategist teaching license, we can accommodate your needs as well. To learn more, fill out the form today. Or if you’re ready, start the application.

Cohort Model

Online learning isn’t independent learning at St. Scholastica. We’ve applied a cohort model to our Special Education Licensure program, which means you’ll move through the program with the same group of colleagues. We’ve also implemented a host of technologies to help bridge the gap between the computer and the classroom.

Program Advisor

A dedicated professional advisor is assigned to you at the beginning of the program and stays with you until you graduate. Your online advisor is available to answer questions and offer support.

Out-of-State Considerations and Those not Currently Licensed

The Academic and Behavioral Strategist program at The College of St. Scholastica meets the additional license requirements of the state of Minnesota. You will work in collaboration with your state education agency to determine if this program meets your state’s licensing requirements. This program does not include Minnesota’s initial teacher preparation Standards of Effective Practice.

View Requirements

View Learning Outcomes

Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) License

In order to earn the Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) license, students will need to complete the core skills for teachers of special education (8710.5000), and the skills for academic and behavioral strategist (8710.5050). You will also need to meet the requirements regarding comprehensive scientifically-based reading instruction (reading standards). The core skills consist of 52 State standards divided into four areas. The ABS skills consist of an additional 49 State standards divided into the same four areas plus one additional area. The core skills and ABS skills are divided into the following areas:

• Foundational knowledge
• Referral, evaluation, planning and programming
• Instructional design, teaching and ongoing evaluation
• Communication and collaboration
• Clinical experiences

The clinical experience does not require typical student teaching since the ABS license is an additional license program. Students will complete a total of 150 practicum hours across the three grade bands including, primary (K-4), middle level (5-8) and secondary (9-12, including transition programs).

License preparation in ABS
Total credits: 32

Master of Science in Special Education
Total credits: 34-38

Special education isn’t just a rewarding occupation; it’s also in demand. There is a nationwide shortage of special education teachers. The 2023 Supply and Demand of Teachers in Minnesota identify Special Education as a licensure shortage area. Academic and Behavioral Strategist is the second most identified licensure area where a licensed teacher is needed. According to the report, “The districts identified the licensure areas with unfilled positions, and the three areas identified most were “special education.””

The Teacher Education program at the College of St. Scholastica is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) for a period of 7 years, from July 2019 to July 2026. The accreditation does not include individual education courses that the Educator Preparation Program offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes.

PART I: Publicly Available Program Performance and Candidate Achievement Data

Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)

The fully accredited Teacher Education Program is assessed according to the requirements and standards of the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). The teacher education program has full continuing unit approval through June 30, 2026.

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions, financing and the Center for Equal Access.

Application Deadlines

Fall: Aug. 1
Spring: Dec. 15

Eligibility

New Students

• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university
• GPA of at least 2.8

Before Applying

The Academic and Behavior Strategist program length may vary due to the Elementary reading requirements. Those students who graduated from St. Scholastica and have received a minor in Special Education may be able to apply minor coursework toward the graduate program. Before submitting an application, you may request an informal analysis to determine your needs by contacting your Admissions Counselor.

Accepted Students

Successfully complete a background check ($59 fee) if you are NOT currently working as a teacher in the state of Minnesota.