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.    3 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 Students with Reading Differences

3
EFN 760 Theory & Practice in Educational Research     OR 3
RDG 762 Reading Theory & Research 3
SPE 799 Research: Master’s Thesis 6
     
Option B: Seminar Paper Option Credits
RDG 730 Assessment and Instruction for Students with Reading Differences 3
EFN 760 Theory & Practice in Educational Research     OR 3
RDG 762 Reading Theory & Research 3
SPE 761 Seminar Paper 2
   
Option C: Comprehensive Exam Option Credits
RDG 730 Assessment and Instruction for Students with Reading Differences 3
EFN 760 Theory & Practice in Educational Research     OR 3
RDG 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 Adapted Physical Education 1-3
ESS 792 Seminar in Adapted Physical Education 1-3
RDG 528 Reading in the Content Areas 3
RDG 710  Seminar: Reading & Language Arts in the Middle School 3
RDG 733 Advanced Assessment & Evaluation of Reading Difficulties 3
RDG 741 Reading in the Elementary School 3
RDG 745 Early Reading Empowerment I 3
RDG 746 Early Reading Empowerment II 3
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 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 546 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education: Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence                                   OR 3
SPE 547 Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education: Early Adolescence—Adolescence 3
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 Education-Middle Childhood/ Early Adolescence 15
SPE 530 Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special Education 1
  Total Credits 16

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 Education—Early Adolescence/Adolescence 15
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 Education—Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence 5
SPE 786 Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special Education 2
  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 Education—Early Adolescence/Adolescence 5
SPE 786 Seminar in Cross-Categorical Special Education 2
  Total Credits 7