Non-Degree-Seeking Add-on Special Education Program
(For teacher candidates who have already hold or are eligible to hold a WI teaching license)

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Phase I—SPE Program Admission Criteria

1.      Complete the electronic admission application to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as an undergraduate “Special NonDegree-Seeking Candidate.” Candidates should complete this process prior to beginning the Special Education Program admission process or complete this process concurrently with Program admission. See http://www.uwlax.edu/admissions/html/nondegree.htm for admission information.

2.      Contact Special Education Program Director (see contact information below)

Phase II—SPE Program Admission Criteria

1.      Copy of unofficial transcript (from ALL previous institutions, undergraduate and graduate)

2.      Copy of WI teacher license(s) and DPI stipulation memo, if issued a license with stipulations

3.      Table listing a minimum of 25 hours of experience working directly with students with special needs (may include professional teaching, private tutoring or organizational volunteering with persons with an identified disability; experience with family members will not be permitted)(See experience table template)

4.      Letters from supervisor verifying hours and direct contact experience listed above IS REQUIRED (experiences with family members will not be permitted)

5.      Statement of Intent: personal written statement describing why you should be admitted to the Special Education Program (default font size 11, 1-2 page double spaced)(see the Statement of Intent Guidelines and the Writing Rubric for evaluation criteria)

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Phase I—SPE Program Admission Procedures

1.      Complete electronic admission application to UW-L See http://www.uwlax.edu/admissions/html/nondegree.htm for admission information.

2.      Contact Special Education Program Director (see contact information below)

Phase II—SPE Program Admission Procedures

3.      Complete the Admission Qualtrics survey between Weeks 2-4 of each fall and spring semester

a.  No later than 4:30pm August 1 (Fall admission) or January 1 (Spring admission)

b. Use this link to access the Special Education Add-On Certification survey

4.      Upload documentation into the Special Education D2L dropbox site

a.       Upon initiating the SPE admission process, you will be enrolled in the SPE Program D2L site to upload additional application materials by 4:30pm August 1 (Fall admission) or January 1 (Spring admission).

b.      Include your:

1)      Unofficial transcripts

2)      Teaching license

3)      DPI stipulation memo (if applicable)

4)      Experience Table

5)      Experience Verification Letters

6)      Statement of Intent

Phase II—SPE Program Admission Procedures

5.      The Special Education Program Admissions Committee will notify applicants of admission decision in a timely manner to facilitate registration for the appropriate semester.

Note:

1.      Admission to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a separate admission process and should be completed prior to or concurrently to admission to the Special Education Program. Candidates should apply to the University as a “Special Nondegree-Seeking” candidate. See http://www.uwlax.edu/admissions/html/nondegree.htm for registration information.

2.      Incomplete candidate files will not be reviewed; candidates must resubmit materials at next application due date.

3.      Students submitting a request for an exception to one or more admission criteria will be considered on a space-available basis.

4.      Candidates may appeal the admission decision (due process) to the Special Education Program Director by filing a written letter containing reasons for the appeal. Appeal procedures can be found in the Department of Educational Studies By-laws (See http://www.uwlax.edu/ls/facultystaff/bylaws/DES%20bylaws.pdf).

Appeal & Reapplication Policy

Candidates who are not admitted may appeal the admission decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Special Education Program Director by September 1 for Fall applications and February 1 for Spring applications. The candidate may be asked to meet with the Special Education Admission Committee as part of the appeal process. Candidates will be notified of the appeal decision in a timely manner. The appeal decision is final.

Carol Angell, Ph.D.
Director, Special Education Program
300A Morris Hall
608-785-8135
cangell@uwlax.edu

Updated: May 2012