Summer Series

What is the Summer Series? 

Marymount University’s School of Education Summer Series is a 5‑week, fully online opportunity for PK–12 educators to deepen expertise in special education while saving time and money on a pathway to licensure and a future graduate degree!

The Summer Series allows practicing teachers and teacher aides with a bachelor’s degree to complete up to three accelerated, Master’s-level courses during summer break at a significantly reduced cost. Courses are asynchronous and fully online, so educators can balance professional learning with personal and school-year commitments.

Plan your course load

Each course is a full Master’s-level course experience condensed into five weeks. The Summer Series is intentionally intensive and fast-paced. For many educators, one or two courses in a single summer is a manageable load alongside personal and professional commitments, while three courses are best suited for those who can devote significant time to study during the summer. Our admissions team is happy to speak with you about your goals, schedule, and recommend a course load before you register.

Who Is the Summer Series For?

  • Teacher aides or provisionally licensed teachers who want to move toward a Virginia Special Education endorsement
  • PK–12 teachers seeking professional development points and practical strategies for supporting students with disabilities
  • Educators exploring an economical on-ramp to a Master’s in Education (30-36 credits), or a Special Education Certificate meeting requirements for an add-on endorsement in Special Education (15 credits)

Program Highlights

  • 5-week, accelerated online format (June 29, 2026 – July 31, 2026)
  • Asynchronous courses with no required weekly meeting time
  • Take up to nine graduate credits that may apply toward:
    • Professional Development points
    • Special Education Certificate
    • Master’s in Education, Marymount University
      • Special Education (K-12) with licensure – 36 credits
      • PK-6 with licensure – 36 credits
      • Secondary Education with licensure – 36 credits
      • Education Curriculum and Instruction – 30 credits
  • High-touch program design with personalized feedback from faculty, weekly office hours for connection with cohort and professors, and applicable coursework designed to immediately transform your teaching practices
  • Learn from practicing and highly-regarded experts in the field of education
  • Over $1,300 in savings per course, with minimal course fees
  • Waived application fee and low admissions requirements for non-degree enrollment
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree to enroll

Courses Offered

ED 509-S: Foundations and Characteristics of Exceptional Learners

  • Fulfills a key requirement on the provisional path toward a Virginia Special Education endorsement
  • Examines laws, history, ethics, and high-leverage practices that support equitable education for students with high-incidence disabilities

ED 539-S: Instructional Implementation of the Individualized Education Program

  • Focuses on bringing IEPs to life in K–12 classrooms through assessment, progress monitoring, and instructional alignment with Virginia SOLs
  • Emphasizes designing and implementing accommodations that help students succeed in general education settings

ED 571-S: Classroom Management in PK–12 Learning Environments

  • Covers culturally responsive classroom management, classroom community building, and individual intervention strategies
  • Introduces behavior management assessments, techniques, and functional behavioral assessment across schoolwide, classroom, and individual contexts

Accreditation Distinction

We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our program is of high quality. Marymount’s School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), definitive leaders in professional preparation standards for educators.

APPLY NOW using the yellow button above or request to speak with an admissions advisor today! Email to have your questions answered.