Degree-Seeking Undergraduate Special Education Program
(For traditional undergraduate degree-seeking teacher candidates)

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Phase I—SPE Program Admission Criteria

1.      Number of course credits earned to date–do not count credits that are “in progress” (must have earned at least 24 credits at the time of application). Of the 24 credits earned candidates must have the following course requirements met:

a.       Complete ENG 110/112 with a grade of “C” or higher

b.      Complete or have concurrent enrollment in EFN 205, PSY 212, and EDS 303 (or equivalent coursework)

2.      Combined Cumulative Grade Point Average (CCGPA) of 3.0 or higher

3.      Passing Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) scores (Reading = 175; Writing = 174; Math = 173)

4.      Admission to a major teacher education program or complete an application to a major teacher education program (MC-EA, EA-A/STEP, or EC-A). Candidates may apply to their major program admission in the same semester they apply to the SPE program.

5.      Emphasis area (must choose one of three areas: Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD); Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (EBD); or Cognitive Disabilities (CD))

Phase II—SPE Program Admission Criteria

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

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

8.      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)

9.      Copy of unofficial transcript (from your WINGS account)

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Phase I—SPE Program Admission Procedures

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

a.       No later than 4:00pm Friday of Week 4

b.      Use this link: https://uwlacrosse.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1XDq4rLzC3vBusY

Phase II—SPE Program Admission Procedures

2.      Upload documentation into the Special Education D2L dropbox site

a.       Upon initiating the SPE admission process, you will be enrolled by Monday of Week 5 in the SPE Program D2L site to upload additional application materials.

b.      Include your:

1)      Experience Table

2)      Experience Verification Letters

3)      Statement of Intent

Phase II—SPE Program Admission Procedures

3.      The Special Education Program Admissions Committee will notify applicants of admission decision by 4:00pm Friday of Week 9

a.       The committee will verify major program admission status (MC-EA, EA-A/STEP, EC-A)

Note:

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

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

3.      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

Teacher candidates who do not meet either the minimum CCGPA or PPST requirements (but not both) may appeal Phase I Pre-Application Requirements. A candidate must submit an appeal packet at least 30 days before the application deadline to the Special Education Program Director containing the following:

1.      Written statement of appeal identifying the requirement being appealed, reason(s) why the requirement was not satisfied, and why the committee should approve a waiver in this case.

2.      Two letters of support from faculty/staff or other professionals who can address the issue being appealed

Candidates who are not admitted may appeal the admission decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Special Education Program Director by November 1 for fall applications and April 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