School of Education
Department of Graduate Education
Master of Science in Education - Teaching and Learning - Special Education Initial Licensure #2801
Earn your teaching license in special education to teach and mentor students at all grade levels with various disabilities.
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Program Overview
This program prepares post-baccalaureate students to earn their initial teacher licensure Special Education at the cross-categorical level. Online courses will develop your teaching skills and strategies to apply in a classroom. You will further establish your teaching abilites through classroom observations and student teaching. Throughout the program, you will have continuous support and feedback from faculty that are both current and former educators.
This special educaiton licensure will enable you to work with students that have the following disabilties.
- Intellectual disabilities (ID)
- Specific learning disabilities (SLD)
- Emotional behavioral disabilities (EBD)
You will learn to identify key characteristics of students with disabilities, perform assessments, and serve on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. You will develop the expertise to create effective learning environments that align with the physical, social, and emotional needs of your special education students.
Students who desire licensure in another state must contact their state department of education for details about whether or not this coursework will meet state requirements. Students from outside of Wisconsin may earn the Master’s degree without teacher licensing.
What to Expect
- Accelerated program
- Option to start the program at the beginning of any 8-week session
- Small class sizes with individual attention
- To earn only the teacher licensure, the program can be completed in 2.5 years. Earning your master's degree with the licensure will require an additional 6 months.
- Online/Blended - Courses are taken online with others as a group, participating in weekly discussions, postings, assignments, etc. Each course has a definitive start and end date. Courses are 8 weeks long and each one will require one virtual Saturday session delivered via Zoom.
- Passing score on Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) is required for licensure
- You are required to participate in a minimum of two pre-student teaching experiences. Some teaching programs will require additional pre-student teaching experiences beyond the minimum.
- Student teach during your final semester of the program.
- Transfer in up to 50% of your graduate credits.
- Utilize the program, Degree Works, which is a web-based planning tool that helps you monitor your progress.
Licensure / Certifications
WI DPI – Cross Categorical Special Education #2801
