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The 18-Credit Hour Teacher Formation Program

The Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) is an 18-credit hour program for educators employed in Catholic schools/(arch)dioceses. The program offers a licensure track for eligible teachers who wish to pursue additional licensure in Mild Intervention upon program completion. For applicants without a teaching license or who are already licensed in special education, PIE offers the opportunity to further develop their expertise in meeting the needs of diverse learners through a unique Catholic school lens. Join PIE and more effectively welcome, serve, and celebrate all students!

Application Components

  • Applications open in October
  • Résumé/curriculum vitae
  • Official transcripts
  • Teacher license information (if applicable)
  • Current photo
  • Principal recommendation
  • Needs-based scholarship request (if applicable)

Application Timeline

  • October 1, 2023: Applications open 
  • March 1, 2024: Application deadline (or until all seats are filled)
  • March 15, 2024: Final acceptance notification
  • April 1, 2024: Commitment deadline
  • May 20, 2024: Summer courses begin for PIE 8
  • July 16 - 26, 2025: Tentative on-campus experience

Completion of the 18-credit program leads to additional licensure/certification in Exceptional Learners: Mild Disabilities.

EDU 70200: Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 credits)

An introduction to inclusive education with a focus on understanding learner attributes, including academic, behavioral, social/emotional, and health issues, is provided. Historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives serve as a foundation for understanding learning strengths and challenges. Evidence-based frameworks and practices that seek to address complex learning needs promoting inclusive practice are emphasized. Clinical experience is required. (Summer I-Online)

EDU 70201: Critical Elements for Inclusion (2 credits)

Critical elements of planning and instruction within a multi-tiered system of support are addressed. Assessment and data-based decision-making are examined to address the learning needs of students who struggle in the classroom environment. Attention is given to accommodations and curricular modifications, as well as frameworks and strategies that impact behavior. Clinical experience is required. (Summer I-Online)

EDU 70207: Literacy Methods & Assessment for Inclusion (4 credits)

A multi-tiered system of support serves as the foundation for inclusive education with a focus on literacy intervention and assessment. An emphasis on diagnostic decision-making, planning, and delivery of empirically validated, multisensory literacy instruction that maximizes the learning of all students is examined. Special attention is given to essential elements of critical literacy pedagogy and evidence-based practices to meet the diverse needs of struggling learners and students with learning disabilities. Clinical experience is required. (Fall-Online)

EDU 70208: Advanced Methods & Assessment for Inclusion (4 credits)

The essential elements of designing a meaningful, inclusive educational experience are addressed. Critical content and pedagogy, validated frameworks, and evidence-based practices serve as the foundation, fostering successful planning, implementation, and assessment to enhance student learning and educational outcomes in an inclusive environment. Specific foci include content-based instruction, social/emotional learning, and behavioral intervention for students with needs. Appropriate assessment selection and the use of data to make informed decisions for instruction, behavior and classroom management, and eligibility and placement of students are foundational. Clinical experience is required. (Spring-Online)

EDU 70202: Collaboration, Community, & Culture (2 credits)

Critical elements of professional collaboration and consultation within a multi-tiered system of support are addressed. Communication, roles/responsibilities, and culture of key stakeholders are a central focus. Teaming and problem-solving models are examined to address the needs of students who struggle in the classroom environment. Clinical experience is required. (Summer II-Online)

EDU 70204: Policy and Effective Practice in Special Education (3 credits)

Effective practice and implications of special education policy for learners with diverse needs are provided. Specialized methods of service delivery are addressed for students with diagnoses. Attention is given to accommodations and curricular modifications, sensory integration, and transition planning. Evidence-based practices are advanced to enable successful individualized educational planning. Clinical experience is required. (Summer II-On Campus)

*Curriculum/course names are subject to revision. 

PIE 8 Costs: 

  • Total Value = $12,200 (Tuition and R&B) 
  • Tuition = $10,500
  • Housing & Food = $1,700

PIE is aware of the financial sacrifice for participation, and we want to make programming accessible to as many Catholic educators as possible.

To further this mission, we have been blessed with the ability to award every participant a $2,000 Inclusive Educator Scholarship. This scholarship is applied in the 2nd summer.

There is a section in the application to request additional financial support. Please note that applying for additional needs-based funding does not guarantee additional support; however, PIE will do everything possible to assist with this financial commitment. Beyond the Inclusive Educator and needs-based scholarships, Title funding at the school/diocesan levels can be used for participation, and resources are available through Notre Dame's Financial Aid Office. 

Additional Costs

  • $100 (estimated) for books and printing materials (copies shared by instructors that some candidates choose to print on their own)

  • Travel to ND for Summer II (varies based on location)

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Abby Giroux at 574-631-7158 or agiroux1@nd.edu.

Summer I: $3600

5 credits of online programming over 2 courses: 

EDU 70200: Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 cr) 
EDU 70207: Critical Elements of Inclusive Education (2 cr)

Fall: $2300

4 credits of online programming over 1 course

 EDU 70207: Literacy Methods and Assessment for Inclusion (4 cr)

Spring: $2300

4 credits of online programming over 1 course

EDU 70208: Advanced Methods and Assessment for Inclusion (4 cr) 

Summer II: $2300 - $2000 PIE Scholarship = $300 + Room/Board

Room/Board = $1,700 

Cost after scholarship = $2,000

5 credits with 1 online course (June - July) and then the on-campus capstone

EDU 70202: Collaboration, Communication & Culture (2 cr)
EDU 70204: Policy & Practice in Special Education (3 cr) 

PIE Inclusive Educators Map


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