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To add a ZN endorsement to an existing K-12 special education certificate or convert a ZA to a ZS endorsement, students must take three courses and satisfy the clinical requirements that lead to the endorsement.
If you pursue this option, you will enroll as a non-degree-seeking student. However, it’s important to note that completing only the courses required for the additional endorsement will not result in the student earning a master’s degree.
After completing the initial courses, many students find that since they are already 30% done with a Master’s degree, they take the remaining seven courses after that to earn the Master’s degree. If a student pursues a Master’s degree, they will apply to the program (see Program Admission).
Coursework (9 credit hours):
Clinical Requirements:
Students must satisfy one of the following clinical hours requirements, determined by the student’s prior certification/endorsement and their goals.
Certified Teacher in Special Education (180 Clinical hours)
This candidate holds a special education certificate (i.e., K-12 Special Education). The ECE 689 Student Teaching Colloquium and Internship is a minimum of 180 hours during the 7.5 weeks of teaching directly with children in an approved B-Kindergarten inclusive early childhood or early special education classroom or program under the supervision of a qualified teacher. The internship or clinical hour experience can be at their approved work environment. Students must have diverse experiences working with children at the following levels: infant and toddler, preschool, and kindergarten.
Certified Teacher in Elementary Converting the ZA to the ZS Endorsement (40-60 Clinical hours)
This candidate holds an Elementary Education certificate and a ZA endorsement and wants to convert to a ZS endorsement. Those pursuing the ZS endorsement must complete at least 40-60 hours during their ECE 689 Internship for 7.5 weeks in a qualified setting. During the internship, you work directly with children in a Birth-Third grade inclusive ECE classroom (at least one child on an IEP or IFSP) or ECSE classroom. Your classroom could potentially count as a qualified placement provided you are teaching/working directly with children in a Birth-Third grade inclusive ECE classroom (at least one child on an IEP or IFSP) or ECSE classroom setting with a qualified supervisor and pre-approved by the Professor teaching ECE 689. The ZS MTTC endorsement ends in June 2026
Certified Teacher in Elementary Converting the ZA to the ZN Endorsement (240 Clinical hours)
The ECE faculty recommends this route as the ZN is the future certification and is a stand-alone certificate.
This candidate holds an Elementary Education certificate and a ZA endorsement and wants to convert to a ZN endorsement.
The ECE 689 Colloquium and Internship is a minimum of 240 hours during the 7.5 weeks of teaching directly with children in an approved B-Kingergarten inclusive early childhood or ECSE classroom or program with a qualified teacher and supervisor and pre-approved by the Professor teaching ECE 689. The Internship or clinical hour experience can be at their approved work environment. Students must have diverse experiences working with children at the following levels: infant and toddler, preschool, and Kindergarten.
Initial Teaching Certificate: (ZN) Birth-Kindergarten General & Special Education Certificate
This candidate does not hold certification and seeks to earn an initial teaching certificate with the (ZN) Birth through Kindergarten General and Special Education endorsement.
Clinical Requirements: Students will need 600 hours of clinical experience. Students must have diverse experiences working with children at each level: infant and toddler, preschool, and Kindergarten throughout their program. Clinical Hour Requirements for this option are as follows:
- 100 hours apprenticeship before student teaching/ECE 689. (These hours can be associated with assignments within courses.)
- 200 flex hours that can happen at any point in the time you are in the program and be a work environment if it is an inclusive/ECSE setting.
- 300 hours while in ECE 689. The ECE 689 Colloquium and Internship is a minimum of 300 hours during the 7.5 weeks of teaching directly with children in an approved B-Kingergarten inclusive early childhood or ECSE classroom or program with a qualified teacher and supervisor and preapproved by the Professor teaching ECE 689. The Internship or clinical hour experience can be in their approved work environment.
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