Transition Specialist Endorsement Certificate

Bay Path's Transition Specialist Endorsement certificate is designed to provide special education and school counseling professionals with the skills, knowledge, and creativity needed for successful transition planning and services for students with disabilities who are transitioning from school to adult life. This program requires the completion of five (3 credits each) courses totaling 15 credit hours and a 150-hour field-based experience. Curriculum information can be found in our online catalog.

For consideration, applicants must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions: 

1. A completed application - Apply Now
2. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts (the required undergraduate degree must be from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by NEASC, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale)
3. An original essay of at least 250 words on the topic: “Why A Graduate Certificate in (insert name of specific certificate) is important to my personal and professional goals"
4. A current résumé
5. Two letters of recommendation - Download the form here
6. Signed Transition Specialist Endorsement Requirements Form - Download the form here

Transition Specialist Endorsement candidates must have a minimum of two years of experience under one of the following licenses 603 CMR 7.14(4)(a)(1)&(2): An Initial or Professional license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, School Guidance Counselor, or School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor.

All candidates accepted into the Transition Specialist Endorsement Program must complete the following:

• Successful completion of five (3 credits each) required courses totaling 15 credit hours
• Successful completion of 150-hour field-based experience that includes providing transition services for transition-age students with disabilities with IEPs (ages 14-18 and 18-22), in collaboration with their families, community members, and other relevant professionals 603CMR 7.14(4)(c)
• Field-based hours must be completed in conjunction with a 3-credit seminar course
• Log of field-based hours, including school settings

All documentation including recommendation forms and official transcripts may be mailed or emailed directly to Bay Path University Office of Graduate Admissions:

By Mail:
Bay Path University
Office of Graduate Admissions
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106

By Email:
graduate@baypath.edu