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. Initial certification candidates must complete the
prerequisites for admission.
Candidates wishing to gain admission into
the Graduate Special Education Program should have completed the
following or show evidence of competency attainment.
1.
Completion of the
Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or current WI teaching
licensure (copy of WI teaching licensure).
Admission Requirements
1.
Admission into Graduate Studies
in full standing
2.
Special Education Program
application
3.
Three
letters of recommendation
4.
Statement of Purpose
Candidates should register for the Praxis
II Test (#0146) within the first two semesters of being admitted
to the program.
Degree Requirements
(Select one of the following degree 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 must
schedule their capstone options with an advisor at least one
term prior to the term in which they expect to graduate.
Candidates choosing the comprehensive examination with the
program director one semester prior to the semester in which
they expect to graduate.
Option A: Thesis Option
Credits
RDG 730
Assessment and Instruction for
EFN 760
Theory & Practice in Educational Research
3
RDG 762
SPE 799
Research: Master’s Thesis
6
Option B: Seminar Paper Option
Credits
RDG 730
Assessment and Instruction for
EFN 760
Theory & Practice in Educational Research
3
RDG 762
SPE 761
Seminar Paper
2
Option C: Comprehensive Exam Option
Credits
RDG 730
Assessment and Instruction for
EFN 760
Theory & Practice in Educational Research
3
or
RDG 762
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
ESS 792 Seminar in
RDG 528
RDG 710
Seminar: Reading & Language Arts in
RDG 733 Advanced Assessment &
Evaluation of
Reading Difficulties
3
RDG 741
RDG 745 Early
RDG 746 Early
REC 701
Philosophical Foundations of
Leisure, Play, and Recreation
3
SPE 715 Special Education and the
Law
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. All
certification candidates must pass PPST (when applicable),
appropriate Praxis II test, and complete a developmental
evaluation portfolio in order to be recommended for licensure.
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, but can
be subsumed within a degree program.
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) Special Education
Professional practice, selecting at least one certification
option within the initial or add-on option
sequence
a. Cross-Categorical Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early
Adolescence
b. Cross-Categorical Special Education-Early
Adolescence/Adolescence
Core Courses: 25 credits (All core
courses are required for each Certification Option.)
Credits
SPE 516
Introduction to Cross-Categorical Special
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
546
Methods in Cross-Categorical Special
OR
SPE
547
Methods in Cross-Categorical Special
SPE 552
Individual Assessment
3
SPE 561
Clinical in Special Education
1
SPE 715
Special Education and the Law
3
Professional Practice Options: 16 credits
Option 1: Cross-Categorical Special
Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence (MC-EA)
(for those NOT currently teaching with an emergency license)
Credits
SPE 583
Student Teaching: Cross- Categorical Special
SPE 530
Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special Education
1
Option 2 Cross-Categorical Special
Education-Early Adolescence/Adolescence (EA-A)
(for those NOT currently teaching with an emergency license)
Credits
SPE 584
Student Teaching: Cross-Categorical Special
SPE 530
Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special Education
1
Total Credits
16
Add-On Certification Options: (7 credits)
Option 3: Cross-Categorical
Special Education-Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence (MC-EA)
(for those CURRENTLY teaching with an emergency license)
Credits
SPE 783 Student Teaching:
Cross-Categorical Special
SPE 786
Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special
Total
Credits
7
Option 4:
Cross-Categorical Special Education—Early
Adolescence/Adolescence (EA-A)
(for those CURRENTLY teaching with an emergency license)
Credits
SPE 784
Student Teaching: Cross-Categorical Special
SPE 786
Seminar in Cross-Categorical