Special Education Program Admission Procedures & Application Information

General Admission Information

All Undergraduate and Graduate teacher education candidates desiring to earn a cross-categorical special education licensure must be admitted to a Teacher Education Program.

Undergraduate Cross-Categorical Special Education Information

Undergraduate candidates are admitted through the Department of Educational Studies (DES) Teacher Education Program. Please see the DES Admissions Criteria for specific admission procedures. Undergraduate candidates must declare a major in education at the Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence or Early Adolescence developmental range and “special education” as their minor. SNAP Reports will reflect all required major and SPE minor courses. Forms for declaring majors and minors are located in the College of Liberal Studies Academic Advising Office, room 270 Morris Hall.

Graduate Special Education Program Admission Information

Graduate candidates are admitted to both the UW-L Graduate School and to the Graduate Special Education Program. Graduate candidates must maintain good standing to be admitted and remain in the graduate program. Graduate candidates should NOT take classes at the undergraduate level or as a “graduate special” student through the Graduate Studies Office.

Graduate candidates must declare a program track, developmental range, and emphasis area when applying to the graduate program.

I. Program tracks include:

  1. Initial certification (for candidates not holding a previous degree in education)
  2. Add-on certification (for candidates already holding a teaching license & eligible to hold one in the state of Wisconsin)

II. Developmental ranges include:

  1. Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence (ages 6-13 years)
  2. Early Adolescence – Adolescence (ages 11-21 years)

III. Emphasis areas include:

  1. Cognitive Disabilities
  2. Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
  3. Specific Learning Disabilities

Graduate Admission Procedures

Graduate admission requirements listed below should be sent to the Graduate Studies Office.

  1. Complete the UW-La Crosse Graduate Studies application form.
    1. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary education.
    2. Filing fee.
  2. Complete the Graduate Special Education Program application form (pdf).
    1. Evidence of passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills (PPST) test OR  eligibility of Wisconsin Teaching License (for initial certification or out-of-state candidates only).
    2. Prepare a written statement of purpose (pdf) explaining your goals for graduate work in special education.
    3. Three letters of recommendation attesting to your potential as a graduate student and future special educator. Use the recommendation form (pdf) provided.
    4. Copy of current teaching license(s) held (for add-on certification candidates only).