SPECIAL EDUCATION
Program Requirements

The graduate program in Special Education is designed for teacher candidates of students with special needs. Admission to the graduate school and completion of program application procedures are required for entry into the program. To complete degree requirements, students must select one of the following program options.

Option A: Thesis - 30 semester credits including completion of a master's thesis
Option B:Seminar Paper - 32 semester credits including completion of a seminar paper
Option C:Comprehensive Examination - 36 semester credits and successful completion of a three-hour comprehensive examination

At least one-half of all credits (Options A-C) must be earned in 700-level courses. Candidates must supplement option choice with courses from the certification requirement or elective course sections. Candidates selecting the thesis or seminar paper option must begin work on their papers with an adviser at least two semesters prior to the term in which they expect to graduate. Candidates selecting the comprehensive examination option must schedule their comprehensive examination with the program director one semester prior to the semester in which they expect to graduate.

Option A: Thesis Option Credits
SPE 715 Special Education Law 3
RDG 730 Assessment and Instruction for Students with Reading Differences 3
EFN 760 Theory & Practice in Educational Research 3
  or
EDG 762 Reading Theory & Research 3
SPE 799 Research: Master's Thesis 6
 
Option B: Seminar Paper Option Credits
SPE 715 Special Education Law 3
RDG 730 Assessment and Instruction for Students with Reading Differences 3
EFN 760 Theory & Practice in Educational Research 3
  or
EDG 762 Reading Theory & Research 3
SPE 761 Seminar Paper 2
 
Option C: Comprehensive Exam Option Credits
SPE 715 Special Education Law 3
RDG 730 Assessment and Instruction for Students with Reading Differences 3
EFN 760 Theory & Practice in Educational Research 3
  or
EDG 762 Reading Theory & Research 3
SPE 780 Seminar in Special Education 3
 
Elective Courses Credits
EDM 773 Current Trends in Literature for Children & Young Adults 3
EFN 715 Issues and Trends in Education 3
EFN 739 Seminar: Special Problems in Education 3
EFN 740 School Law 3
ESS 725 Diversity in Physical Activity Setting 2
ESS 765 Adventure Education for Physical Education 2-3
ESS 787 Clinical Internship in Special Physical Education 1-3
ESS 792 Seminar in Special Physical Education 1-3
RDG 528 Reading in the Content Areas 3
RDG 733 Advanced Assessment & Evaluation of Reading Difficulties 3
RDG 745 Early Reading Empowerment 1 3
RDG 746 Early Reading Empowerment 1I 3
REC 701 Philosophical Foundations of Leisure, Play, and Recreation 3

Certification Requirements:

Students seeking special education certification have two age-level options: Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence/Adolescence or Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence. Candidates in a master's degree program option may supplement with certification courses, but must abide by the 700-level course policy.

Non-Degree Students:

Candidates who seek Cross-Categorical Special Education licensure only may do so by completing the certification requirements below. this is not a degree-seeking option.

Special Education certification

requires the completion of the following:

  1. Any designated Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction deficiencies (designated by previous teaching experience and completed course work)
  2. All core courses
  3. At least one certification option within the initial or add-on option sequence
    1. Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence
    2. Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence
  4. Special Education Professional Practice
Core Courses: 18 credits Credits
(All core courses are required for each Certification Option.)
SPE 516 Introduction to Cross-Categorical Special Education Characteristics 3
SPE 524 Classroom Management & Positive Behavior Practices 3
SPE 529 Inclusive Strategies for the Classroom 3
SPE 531 Language Development & Disorders 3
SPE 540 Collaboration & Transition: from School to Community 3
SPE 552 Individual Assessment 3
 
Initial Certification Options: 16 credits
(no previous teacher education program completed)
 
Option 1:
Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence
  Credits
SPE 546 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence 11
SPE 561 Clinical in Special Education 1
  Total Credits 12
 
Initial Certification Options:
(no previous teacher education program completed)
 
Option 2:
Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence
  Credits
SPE 547 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence 1
SPE 561 Clinical in Special Education 1
  Total Credits 4
 
Professional Practice
SPE 547 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence 1
SPE 584 Student Teaching: Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence 11
SPE 530 Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special Education 1
  Total Credits 12
 
Add-On Certification Options: (8 credits)
(for those CURRENTLY teaching with an emergency license)
 
Option 1:
Cross-Categorical: Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence
  Credits
SPE 546 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence 3
  Total Credits 3
 
Professional Practice
SPE 783 Student Teaching: Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence 3
SPE 786 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence 2
  Total Credits 5
 
Option 2:
Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/ Adolescence
  Credits
SPE 547 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence 3
  Total Credits 5
 
Professional Practice
SPE 784 Student Teaching: Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence 3
SPE 786 Seminar in Cross Categorical Special Education 2