Commonwealth Special Education Endorsement Programs

The Commonwealth Special Education Endorsement (CSEEP) Programs are a technology-rich, award-winning approach to teacher preparation in special education. CSEEP is funded by the Virginia Department of Education.

CSEEP is a collaborative effort that includes Virginia's public school divisions and state-operated programs; the Virginia Community College System (VCCS); Old Dominion University's (ODU) colleges of education, arts and letters, and sciences; ODU Online's program; and national and state advisory boards.

CSEEP participants have access to a variety of course formats. CSEEP participants can choose from televised, synchronous; asynchronous; or hybrid course formats and are more likely to enroll consistently in coursework.

CSEEP participants have access to more courses. Accessibility of coursework is addressed by multiple offerings of endorsement coursework and use of an individualized model for program completion.

CSEEP teachers have greater flexibility and may choose part-time or full-time study schedules. Most program participants can begin the program at several points during the school year and do not have to wait for a cohort to be established in order to begin to obtain endorsement coursework, nor do they have to take coursework at a prescribed pace. Access to more courses and a self-determined pace has resulted in early completion for many participants.

CSEEP provides an evidence-based path to special education teacher preparation. Data collection for the CSEEP program is rigorous and addresses all aspects of the program. CSEEP has earned national and state accolades for its program evaluation and evidence-based teacher preparation programming.

CSEEP participants remain in special education. Our data indicate that 85% of our fully licensed grant participants reported that they were very likely or likely to remain in special education, making CSEEP a highly cost effective means to meet the increasing demand for fully licensed special educators.

CSEEP is a nationally recognized teacher preparation program.

2013 Innovation in Teacher Education Award: Southern Regional Association of Teacher Educators

2010 Charles Clear Research Award: Virginia Educational Research Association

2007 Finalist, Distinguished Program in Teacher Education: Association of Teacher Educators

2006 Exemplary Program Award: American Council on Rural Special Education

2005 Christa McAuliffe Award for Teaching Excellence: American Association of State Colleges and Universities