Special Education Certification

Administered by the School of Education Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE DISCLOSURE (NC-SARA)

The United States Department of Education requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure about whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Following is this disclosure information for this program:

The requirements of this program meet Certification/Licensure in the following states:

Wisconsin

The requirements of this program do not meet Certification/Licensure in the following states:

Not applicable

The requirements of this program have not been determined if they meet Certification/Licensure in the following states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming; District of Columbia; American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Program Requirements

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree.
You must meet a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. If you do not meet this minimum, you must take the Praxis Subject Assessment in your area.
You must take the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test and pass. If you are interested in the Fort Alternative Pathway, you need to complete additional requirements. If you hold a lifetime license, you are exempt from this requirement.
You must meet the state teacher licensing rules which are subject to change at any time due to legislative or licensing changes.

Pathways

Accelerated Special Education Licensure Program (CWIC) -This pathway is designed for students looking to complete their initial teaching license in special education. This pathway can be combined with the master’s in education. If you already have a teaching license, this option is not available.
Early Childhood Special Education Add-On Certification (ECSE) - This pathway can be completed as an add-on license for students who already hold a teaching license in another area. The ECSE certification is designed for special education in ages birth through third grade. This pathway can be combined with the master’s in education.
Cross-Categorical Special Education Add-On Certification (SPECED) - This pathway can be completed as an add-on license for students who already hold a teaching license in another area. The SPECED certification is designed for special education in ages five through 12th grade. This pathway can be combined with the master’s in education.

Coursework

Pathway 1 - Accelerated Special Education Licensure Initial Certification Program Plan

All of these courses must be earned within a seven-year period (starting with the beginning of the term the course was approved for your program of study).

EDUC 700 - Graduate Internship Seminar Credits: 1
EDUC 704 - Strategies for Discipline and Classroom Management Credits: 3
EDUC 713 - Essential Skills for Special Educators Credits: 3
EDUC 715 - Application and Analysis of Reading Instruction Credits: 3
EDUC 718 - Core Components of Teaching Reading Credits: 3
EDUC 723 - The Psychology of the Classroom Credits: 2
EDUC 724 - Diversity and Development Credits: 2
EDUC 737 - Family, Community, and Agency Collaboration for Transitioning Individuals with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 755 - Foundations of Special Education Credits: 3
EDUC 756 - Special Education Assessment Credits: 3
EDUC 764 - Special Education Core Content Areas Instructional Planning and Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 769 - Special Education Functional and Content Areas Instructional Planning and Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 773 - Technology Foundations in Teaching Credits: 2
EDUC 798 - Graduate Internship Credits: 1-6 (Take 6 credits)

Pathway 2 - Early Childhood Special Education Add-On Certification Program Plan

All of these courses must be earned within a seven-year period (starting with the beginning of the term the course was approved for your program of study).

Professional Education Requirements

You must already have a teaching license in elementary education, early childhood education or special education to enroll in this add-on certification program.

ECED 364 - Curriculum and Methods for Young Children Credits: 3 or
ECED 564 - Curriculum and Methods for Young Children Credits: 3
EDUC 723 - The Psychology of the Classroom Credits: 2

General Special Education Requirements

EDUC 737 - Family, Community, and Agency Collaboration for Transitioning Individuals with Disabilities Credits: 3

Core Coursework Requirements

EDUC 365 - Assessment and Instructional Strategies for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Credits: 3 or
EDUC 565 - Assessment and Instructional Strategies for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 366 - Curriculum and Instruction for Preschool Children with Disabilities in Preschool and Primary Credits: 3 or
EDUC 566 - Curriculum and Instruction for Preschool Children with Disabilities in Preschool and Primary Credits: 3
EDUC 367 - Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children with Disabilities in Preschool-Primary Grades Credits: 3 or
EDUC 567 - Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children with Disabilities in Preschool-Primary Grades Credits: 3
EDUC 781 - Teaching Students with Disabilities Practicum-Internship Credits: 1 (Take 1-3 credits)

Pathway 3 - Cross-Categorical Special Education Add-On Certification Program Plan

All of these courses must be earned within a seven-year period (starting with the beginning of the term the course was approved for your program of study).

Professional Education Requirements

You must already have a teaching license in elementary education, early childhood education, or special education to enroll in this add-on certification program.

EDUC 398 - Student Teaching Credits: 1-16 (Take 3 credits)
EDUC 702 - Advanced Educational Psychology: Theory Into Practice Credits: 3
EDUC 718 - Core Components of Teaching Reading Credits: 3
EDUC 723 - The Psychology of the Classroom Credits: 2
EDUC 743 - Creating Strategic Readers Across All Contents Credits: 3
EDUC 755 - Foundations of Special Education Credits: 3
Regular Education Methods Courses (Initial License)

Core Coursework Requirements

EDUC 704 - Strategies for Discipline and Classroom Management Credits: 3
EDUC 713 - Essential Skills for Special Educators Credits: 3
EDUC 737 - Family, Community, and Agency Collaboration for Transitioning Individuals with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 756 - Special Education Assessment Credits: 3
EDUC 764 - Special Education Core Content Areas Instructional Planning and Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 769 - Special Education Functional and Content Areas Instructional Planning and Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 781 - Teaching Students with Disabilities Practicum-Internship Credits: 1 (Take 1-3 credits)