Online Transition to Work Endorsement
Program Overview
UC's online Transition to Work Endorsement is focused on providing preservice and in-service professionals with knowledge, skills, and experience in special education in order to improve learning outcomes and quality of life for children with disabilities.
Program Highlights
High Quality Education
UC's online Transition to Work Endorsement is focused on providing preservice and in-service professionals with knowledge, skills, and experience in special education in order to improve learning outcomes and quality of life for children with disabilities. The Transition to Work Endorsement program is designed to increase the transition-related knowledge and skills of the various individuals involved in the transition process, such as transition specialists, intervention specialists, special education administrators, service providers (e.g., counselors and occupational therapists), vocational rehabilitation counselors, parents, advocates, and or any individual who is interested in expanding his/her knowledge in the area of transition-focused special education. This graduate-level program will equip candidates with specialized knowledge and skills in transition-related legislations and policies, transition procedures, best practices in transition, transition focused instruction and curriculum, and interagency collaboration, so they can become field leaders to facilitate transition planning and incorporate effective transition services as mandated by Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).
The TTW Endorsement can also be added to the intervention specialist, career-technical teaching or professional pupil services license or certificate after completion of the licensure plan as determined by the university with an approved TTW Endorsement program. The candidate must submit an Add Area to a Credential Application through the Ohio Department of Education’s Connected Ohio Records for Educators system (ODE.CORE). The field code for the TTW Endorsement is 600010.
Other Special Education Opportunities
Flexibility
- 100% online
- Only 12 credit hours
- Enroll in the spring, summer, or fall semesters
- Scholarships available now: Eligible students applying for the endorsement program may qualify for the Professional Development Award equating to $66 off per credit hour, applied to the instructional fee!
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your partner through the application process, getting enrolled, and starting your program
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Curriculum
The Transition to Work Endorsement takes 12 credit hours to complete and can be finished in a year. This program consists of the four (4) required graduate-level courses below, which all may be applied towards the Master’s in Special Education.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SPED7040 | Transition to Work Endorsement: Legal and Ethical Foundations Legal and ethical foundation knowledge for the Ohio transition to work specialist endorsement. |
3 |
| SPED7041 | Transition to Work Endorsement: Assessment and Planning Learning Environments and Supports This course provides information on appropriate assessment and the application of this assessment to planning, implementing, and evaluating learningenvironments and supports in the transition to work. |
3 |
| SPED7042 | Transition to Work Endorsement: Collaboration and Teaming This course explores the role of the transition towork specialist in collaboration and serving effectively as a member of a team on behalf of students with disabilities. |
3 |
| SPED7043 | Transition to Work Endorsement: Clinical Experience This clinical experience engages students in the role of transition to work specialist, putting content knowledge into practice. |
3 |
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites
- Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV purposes, or the international equivalent.
- Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
Admission Materials
- Statement of academic and professional goals.
- One (1) Letter of Recommendation.
- Resume or CV.
- Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
- A current, valid professional teaching license. For those wishing to apply without a teaching license, please contact onlineenrollment@uc.edu.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees*:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
*Application fees are waived for Spring 2027 applications submitted by November 1st, 2026.
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to grad.admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Graduate Admissions
2618 University Circle
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
One letter of recommendation is required.
- Recommendations should come from individuals who can attest to your academic and professional skills. References from current and former employers are always desirable. Additionally, recommendations from contacts within academia or professional organizations you’re involved in are also desirable.
- Those writing letters should explain who they are, their relationship to the applicant, and what they know of the applicant’s academic and professional abilities.
- Letters of recommendation from family, friends, or current students are not accepted.
- Recommendations are submitted by the recommender themselves; they cannot be completed or submitted by the applicant or another party on behalf of the reference.
Professional Resume:
A resume relevant to academic and professional data. It should include the applicant’s name; phone; email; colleges attended with degrees, dates conferred, and grade point average; employment history; professional experience; present employer; and names of references.
Curriculum Vitae:
A detailed look at the applicant’s career path, including achievements, publications, and awards. Including comprehensive information about candidate’s research background, presentations, publications, committee memberships and other experience of an academic, clinical, or scientific nature.
The goal statement serves as a sample of the applicant’s writing quality and ensures their goals match with the program. It should denote applicant’s desired program concentration (if applicable) and highlight applicant’s motivation for pursuing a career in the field, and how the program will benefit them.
International students are required to submit official TOEFL, TSE, and TWE scores for tests taken within the last seven years, prior to the application deadline for the term of the application. These scores must be submitted directly to the program office.
More information about these tests can be found here.
Applicants who have earned a degree in China must submit an English-version verification report from the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) of their final transcripts and degree certificates. All verification reports must be sent to the University of Cincinnati directly by the CDGDC to be considered official. No other verification will be accepted. Applicants with Chinese transcripts must contact the CDGDC after their degree is completed and request that their degree verification report be submitted directly to the University of Cincinnati. Students who request a verification report prior to degree conferral will be required to submit a second report after conferral.
Verification reports can be ordered at the following websites:
- Chinese
- English
For questions regarding international student admissions contact an Enrollment Services Advisor.
Application Deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Spring 2027 Summer 2027 Fall 2027 |
December 15, 2026 April 24, 2027 August 8, 2027 |
January 11, 2027 May 10, 2027 August 23, 2027 |
Tuition & Fees
The University of Cincinnati's online programs allow students to pursue degrees without having to quit their jobs. Our online courses offer the same quality education found on campus in a modern format that fits students’ tight budgets and busy schedules.
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
Accreditation & Rankings
- The University of Cincinnati and all of its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Careers & Outcomes
Who Is This Program For?
This program may be a good fit for:
- Special education teachers supporting students transitioning beyond K–12 education
- Intervention specialists working with students with disabilities
- Educators interested in career-readiness and community-based instruction
- Professionals who coordinate employment, independent-living or postsecondary transition services
- Educators seeking transition-focused specialization or leadership responsibilities
Career Opportunities
UC’s online Transition to Work Endorsement helps education professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed to support students with disabilities as they transition from school into employment, postsecondary education and community life. The endorsement may complement roles such as:
- Transition specialist
- Transition-to-work coordinator
- Intervention specialist
- Career-readiness specialist
- Community-based instruction coordinator
- Vocational education liaison
- Disability-services coordinator
The endorsement supplements an educator’s existing preparation and credentials. Eligibility for specific positions depends on licensure, professional experience and employer requirements.
Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not maintain a separate occupational category for transition-to-work specialists. Instructional coordinators provide a related benchmark for educators who coordinate specialized curriculum, instruction and professional learning.
Instructional coordinators earned a national median annual wage of $77,440 in May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 23,100 openings projected each year. These positions typically require a master’s degree and related professional experience.
These figures are broad national occupational data and do not represent guaranteed outcomes for endorsement completers.
Build Your Credentials
Depending on the student’s current credentials and location, the program may support an Ohio Transition to Work Endorsement or a graduate certificate. Eligibility for the state endorsement requires an appropriate existing teaching license and completion of all applicable state requirements.
Educators may also pursue special education leadership, career-technical education, vocational rehabilitation or principal credentials based on their professional goals.
Continue Your Education at UC
The Transition to Work Endorsement can complement UC’s online Master of Education in Special Education, which includes a pathway focused on transition to work and special education leadership.
Graduate study can prepare educators for advanced transition services, program coordination, disability advocacy and special education leadership.
Ready to get started?
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