Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) TM 2.0
COPAA's Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 is a nationally developed and recognized intermediate-level course designed to help grow the field of effective and knowledgeable non-attorney special education advocates. The course is 100% online, includes 27 sessions, and features a 40-hour practicum. A certificate of completion is provided to students who pass the course requirements. The application will open in June 2026. There is no cost to apply. Once you are accepted, the course cost is $2,300 for COPAA members and $2,500 for registered guests. You will be charged 30% to hold your spot, and the remainder of the balance is charged in September. All COPAA courses are developed using universal design principles, reflecting our strong commitment to equity and student success. If you would like to discuss ADA accommodations or have any general questions about our classes, please feel free to contact us. . Contact Us
Parent Training and Information Centers, disability rights organizations, and advocacy organizations enroll their more experienced advocates in this course. We also train advocates with two or more years of experience from across the country who run their own non-attorney advocacy business.
Audience
The class is at the intermediate level (at least two years of experience as a non-attorney special education advocate, paid or unpaid, is highly recommended). There is an application process for the class (it is not a first-come, first-served process). Knowledge and familiarity with IDEA and other applicable laws is expected, and prior training (SEAT 1.0 or similar) is strongly encouraged. If you are interested in our Beginner Special Education Advocate (BSEAT) course, please click here.
Class Format
There are 13 assignments (subject to change), including one capstone project, and one open-book midterm. The class features live Q&A with instructors, optional live Training Instructor (TI) Q&A, each student is assigned a TI for personalized feedback on assignments and clarifying questions outside of class time. Classes are recorded so you can view them more than once and course materials are provided in advance (PDFs of the PPT used in a recording or live session, handouts, videos, etcetera, that assist students to engage and understand the session's materials).
Topics Covered
Click here to review the core competencies the course will cover. If you want to learn more about the history of the course development, please click here.
Class Dates
SEAT 2.0 is held once a week on Fridays from 12:30–2:30 PM ET, from October to May (exact 2026 schedule TBD). The class is held once a year and is 27 sessions in length.
Registration
Opens in June each year and closes when capacity is met. There is an application process for the course, it is not a first-come, first-serve registration. Your application will be reviewed and you will receive an email either accepting you into the class or placing you on the waitlist. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the Learning Center for other training opportunities: www.learn.copaa.org
Cost
$2,300 for COPAA members | $2,500 for guests.
Cancellation Policy
If you are not accepted into the class, you will receive a full refund. The cancellation policy for each cohort is posted in the registration, and the cancellation timeline is provided at that time.
Scholarships
A limited number of qualified individuals whose family income is at or below two times the federal poverty level or who have extenuating circumstances may apply for a COPAA training registration fee discount. SEAT scholarships cover 80% of the course costs. After you register for the class (select “pay by check” when you get to the payment portion of the registration), immediately send your scholarship request with proof that you meet the poverty guidelines (i.e., the first two pages of your federal tax return) to learningcenter@copaa.org. Requests are considered on a first-come basis. After receiving your scholarship documents, a COPAA representative will contact you to confirm eligibility and availability of the scholarships. Click here for the current Federal Guidelines. Only students who are registered for the course are considered for a scholarship.
Registration Policy
Per COPAA bylaws, any individual who currently receives more than 50% of their income from a state or local education agency, or, in the case of an attorney, has represented such an agency or school district within the past five years, shall not be permitted to register for or attend a COPAA educational event unless a formal exception is granted. Click here for more information regarding membership, guest membership, and the full eligibility policy.
