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SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Special Education programs at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse are designed to prepare teachers of students identified as emotionally disturbed and/or learning disabled. Full-time students may complete requirements for both emotional disturbance and learning disabilities certification (multicategorical.) Students completing this program earn a master of science in education degree and are eligible for Wisconsin certification to teach at elementary school (K-9) or secondary school (6-12) levels. In addition, students may elect to become certified at the elementary level and at the secondary level resulting in K-12 certification.

Program Admission

The following are required for admission to graduate studies (master’s or certification program) in the Special Education program: a) a bachelor’s degree; b) certifiability as a teacher; c) prior completion of student teaching or equivalent at the elementary or secondary level; d) unconditional admission to graduate study; e) completion of the Graduate Record Exam or the Miller Analogies Test; f) completion of the special education application materials; and g) an admission committee interview. All admissions material must be submitted one week prior to the admission interview. Interviews are held in December and May of each year.

Program Course Work

Required graduate course work for completion of programs leading to certification in learning disabilities and emotional disturbance at the elementary and secondary levels are identified below:

			Credits
PSY	752	Assessment and Remediation: Learning and Behavior Problems I	3
PSY	753	Assessment and Remediation: Learning and Behavior Problems II	3
SPE	524	Classroom and Behavior Management	3
SPE	531	Language Development and Disorders	3
SPE	540	Collaboration with Parents, Community Agencies and Teachers	2
SPE	545	Relating K-12 Schooling to Life:Careers, Work and Community Living	2
SPE	716	Teachers and the Law (Master's only)	3

Emotional Disturbance

Required courses			Credits
SPE	517	Understanding Emotional Disturbance: Educational Perspectives	3
		or
PSY	717	Behavior Disorders in Children	3
SPE	528	Assessment Methods and Curriculum for Children with Behavior Disorders	3
SPE	781	Practicum in Emotional Disturbance: Elementary
		(master’s )	6
		(certification only)	2
		or
SPE	783	Practicum in Emotional Disturbance: Secondary
		(master’s)	6
		(certification only)	2
SPE	785	Seminar in Application of Curriculum and Methods in Emotional Disturbance	2

Learning Disabilities

Required courses			Credits
SPE	520	Learning Disabilities Theory, Assessment and Intervention	3
SPE	782	Practicum in Learning Disabilities: Elementary
		(master’s)	6
		(certification only)	2
		or
SPE	784	Practicum in Learning Disabilities: Secondary
		(master’s)	6
		(certification only)	2
SPE	786	Seminar in Application of Curriculum and Methods in Learning Disabilities	2
RDG	730	Assessment and Instruction of Students with Reading Difficulties	3

Emotional Disturbance and Learning Disabilities

Students who desire to become certified in Emotional Disturbance and Learning Disabilities must take the required courses for both areas listed above.

Certification at the Secondary Level —

Students seeking certification at the secondary level must, in addition to the previous course work, complete the following courses in learning disabilities and/or emotional disturbance respectfully:

Learning Disabilities:

Secondary Level				Credits
SPE	755	Methods and Curriculum for Secondary Learning Disabilities:	3

Emotional Disturbance:

Secondary Level			Credits
SPE	756	Methods and Curriculum for Behavior Disordered Students in Secondary Schools	3

Research Requirement

			Credits
EFN	760	Theory and Practice in Educational Research	3
		or
RDG	762	Seminar in Middle Level Education	3
		and
SPE	761	Seminar Paper	2
		or
SPE	799	Research: Master’s Thesis	max.6