Special Education Certification

CAREER DECISIONS

Becoming a special education teacher or teacher of the gifted/ talented may be the right decision for you…

• If you believe that we should look beyond a person’s disability to see his/her real potential
• If you believe that children with varying functioning abilities should have learning environments that adapt to those abilities
• If you believe that students with special talents and creative abilities have a right to develop them through various curricular programs in school
• If you believe that teachers are key individuals who can provide appropriate learning experiences for learners with divergent abilities and /or exceptional needs in our schools.

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Certification programs in Exceptional Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point were instituted in 1972 with a minor in Learning Disabilities. Since then, three more areas of certification have been added. The four programs presently offered in the School of Education are:

• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)(808/809)
• Emotional Behavioral Disturbance (ED)(830)
• Learning Disbilities (LD)(811)
• Cognitive Disabilities(CD)(810)

Early Childhood Special Education
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements:

1. Professional preparation: Complete a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, exceptional education, or elementary education, including these required courses: Early Childhood Ed 364 or equivalent; Education 398; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
2. General exceptional education: Complete Education 551 and 778.
3. Area of specialization: Complete Education 565, 566, 567, 781.

NOTE:If you are certified in related service fields such as physical therapy, speech/language pathology with a master’s degree, etc., but do not have a prior degree with certification in education, you can pursue an emphasis in early childhood special education needs in order to augment your skills in working with this population. This avenue will NOT lead to teacher certification unless you elect to take the courses, which lead to that certification.

Emotional Disabilities
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements:

1. Professional preparation: Complete a bachelor's degree in elementary or secondary ed, including these required courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses for instructional areas; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
   1. If you are certified in other areas of special education, complete these professional education courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses in regular curriculum; Psychology 260; or equiv graduate level courses.
2. General exceptional education: General exceptional education: Complete Communicative Disorders 567; Education 556, 568, 704, 778; and
3. Area of specialization: Successfully complete these courses, with an emphasis in emotional disabilities: Education 564, 569, and 781.

Learning Disabilities
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements:

1. Professional preparation:
   1. Complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary or secondary ed, including these required courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses for your instructional areas; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
   2. If you are certified in other areas of special education, complete these professional education courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses in regular curriculum; or equivalent graduate courses.
2. General exceptional education: Communicative Disorders 567, Education 556, 568, 704, and 778; and
3. Areas of specialization: Successfully complete these courses, with emphasis in learning disabilities: Education 564, 569, 747, and 781.

Cognitive Disabilities
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements:

1. Professional education:
   1. Complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary or secondary education, including these required courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, and 398; methods courses for your instructional areas; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
   2. If you are certified in other areas of special education, complete these professional education courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses in regular curriculum; Psychology 260; or equivalent graduate courses.
2. General exceptional education: Complete Communicative Disorders 567, Education 556, 568, 704, 778; and
3. Areas of specialization: Successfully complete these courses, with emphasis in mild-moderate cognitive disabilities: Education 564, 569, 781.

How to Apply

Multi-categorical Special Education Graduate Certification Program
This is a fast-track preparation program for teachers who are already certified in regular or special education and are provisionally certified in a category of special education. It consists of two consecutive 9-12-credit summer institutes and 5 credits over the regular school year. Check with the School of Education Graduate Advising Office for availability of this program.

Before you begin any coursework, you must develop a Certification Outline with your major professor. It will designate the content areas you will study for the certification you are seeking. Depending on your background and assessment of competencies, you could possibly take some of the courses for variable credit (to be determined by your adviser). This will allow you to either specialize in one area or obtain equal coursework in each area.

Entrance Qualifications for Multi-categorical Special Education

1. Be a certified teacher.
2. Be admitted to Graduate Studies.
3. Be provisionally certified in an area of special education.
4. Have a minimum of 3 credits (Education 351/551).
5. Be able to commit to two consecutive summer programs for 9-12 credits each.

Course of Study

1. Summer I: 9 credits from Education 556, 564, 568.
2. Semester I: Educ781.
3. Semester II Communicative Disorders 567 or 797.
4. Summer II: 12 credits from Education 569, 704, 747, 778.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Students completing exceptional education certifications at UW-SP continue to find employment in Wisconsin schools. The placement record exceeds 95 percent annually.

Recently supply and demand reports published by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the national ASCUS indicate the future job outlook by specialization area is:

Specialization	DPI: State Employment	ASCUS: National Employment
CD-B	Average	Some shortage
ED	Excellent	Definite shortage
LD	Average	Some shortage
ECSE	Average	Some shortage