What is the difference between a certificate and a diploma in special education?
Certificate and diploma in special education compared: APTTI's Certificate is 120 hours (₹15,000 + GST); the Diploma is 200 hours (₹25,000 + GST).
Preliminary level, online learning
Certificate in Special Education
A 120-hour online foundation in special educational needs for teachers, parents and aspiring shadow teachers: developmental disabilities, assessment, communication support and classroom interventions.
The Certificate in Special Education is APTTI's preliminary-level online course: 120 study hours, completed within up to 6 months. The entry requirement is 10+2. The published fee is USD 250 for international learners, or ₹15,000 + GST in India. It is professional development, not a teaching licence or an RCI-recognised qualification.
- Fee (international)
- USD 250
- Fee (India)
- ₹15,000 + GST
- Study hours
- 120
- Complete within
- 6 months
- Eligibility
- 10+2 (higher secondary)
- Format
- Online, self-paced
Who this course is for
Teachers, parents and aspiring shadow teachers who want a structured foundation.
What you will study
- Introduction to developmental disabilities: autism, intellectual disability, ADHD and specific learning disabilities
- Developmental theories and milestones: physical, cognitive, social, emotional and language development
- Assessment in education: screening, evaluation, purpose and tools, and the teacher's role
- Communication support: AAC, PECS and verbal behaviour approaches
- Classroom interventions: social, reading, writing and maths skills, and accommodations
- Therapies teachers may encounter: music, art and sensory-based approaches, and how to judge evidence
Module outline from APTTI's published special needs syllabus. Ask admissions for the current module list before enrolling.
Study and assessment
After enrolment and payment you receive course login details. Each module ends with multiple-choice questions and the course ends with an assignment. Certification follows successful completion of all requirements. How assessment works.
What this course does and does not qualify you for
It prepares you to support children with special needs as a regular educator, a shadow teacher or a parent, and to understand current information on developmental disabilities. It does not qualify you to carry out assessments or diagnostic tests, which are the role of qualified rehabilitation professionals, and it does not make you a licensed special educator. It is not RCI-recognised. The RCI route explained. Outside India, teaching posts need local licences; see our pages for USA, UAE & Middle East, Asia, Africa.
Fees and payment
USD 250 for learners outside India; ₹15,000 + GST for learners in India. Compare all fees and payment terms.
Before you enrol
Are the courses RCI-recognised?
No. They are online professional development courses. They do not lead to RCI registration or qualify you as a licensed special educator. For RCI routes, see our page on becoming a special education teacher in India.
Who are the courses for?
Mainstream and pre-primary teachers, shadow teachers, learning support assistants, school leaders and parents of children with special needs.
How are the courses assessed?
Multiple-choice questions at the end of each module, plus assignments; Diploma-level and higher learners also submit research and assignment work.
Is tutor support available?
Yes. Coordinators and tutors are available 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and Saturdays (India time); longer academic discussions are by appointment.
When will I receive my certificate?
After you complete all requirements. APTTI's published information gives 30 to 90 days for dispatch; Indian learners pay no shipping charge.
What if I need more time?
APTTI's published terms describe re-registration of INR 3,500 or USD 65 for a three-month extension. Confirm the current policy before enrolling.
Related answers
Can I do a special education course after 12th?
Yes, you can do a special education course after 12th: an RCI D.Ed Special Education, or an online certificate or diploma for support roles.
What is shadow teacher training?
Shadow teacher training prepares you to support one child with special needs in a mainstream classroom.
Ask about this course
Ask about the current syllabus, study time, eligibility or the total payable fee. Admissions will reply by email, phone or WhatsApp.
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