Major

Minor-early child., special education

Minor-exceptional educational needs

Courses

Graduate program

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION
For more information on education administration, majors and procedures, see the Education section of this catalog or http://www.uwsp.edu/education/.

Exceptional Education Major (B.S.)
Enrollment caps: The top 25 students who apply each year will be admitted (half each semester). When you meet the School of Education guidelines for admission to the Professional Education Program (PEP), you will apply for:

1. One specialization in special education certification in middle childhood through adolescence level-special education (approx ages 6-21).

2. Or two specializations for certification in either middle childhood through early adolescence level-special education (approx ages 6-13)   OR   early adolescence through adolescence level-special education (approx ages 10-21).

3. If you seek additional certification, you will take the additional student teaching after graduation.

Requirements:

1. Complete the requirements for the BS degree listed under the General Degree Requirements section of this catalog. However, note the specific courses to take under the following categories:

1. In the verbal and quantitative skills sequence, take English 101 and 102 or 150; Math 100, 338 and Math Ed 338.

2. In the critical thinking/natural science sequence, take 13 to 15 credits, including no more than one 3-credit course, and at least two 5-credit courses in these three disciplines:

• Physical science: Chemistry 100 or 101; Physics 100 or 101; Astronomy 100, 205, 206, or 311.

• Earth science: Geography 100 or 101; Geology 100.

• Life science: Biology 100 or 101.

   C.  Take 24 credits to fulfill the critical thinking/ cultural   awareness requirement, including one course in non-Western culture and one course in minority studies. Social science and humanities together must equal 18 credits.

•  History: Take History 212 and 3 more credits from History 211, *379, *382, *385, *288/ 388. (*These courses do not meet general degree requirements in the categories listed.)

• Social Science: Take at least 9 credits, including Psych 110 and 260, HD 261 or 265; Political Science 101.

• Humanities: Take 6-9 credits, including at least one of English 211, 212, 213, or 214 and one in Humanities Area 1.

           d.  Take Natural Resources 370 to fulfill UWSP’s environmental literacy requirement and the DPI's environmental education requirement.

2. Professional Education, 28 cr: Educ 200, 205, 300, 302, 309, 310, 314, 381, 383, 400; IRES 331; Math 228 and Math Ed 228.

3. Exceptional Education, 21 credits: Educ 351, 356, 362, 368, 378, 397; Com Dis 367.

4. Specialization: Choose one or two teaching specializations to complete the major.

1. Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, 12-18 credits: Educ 364, 369, 398.

2. Learning Disabilities, 12-18 credits: Educ 364, 369, 398.

3. Cognitive Disabilities, 12-18 credits: Educ 364, 369, 398.

5. Achieve a 2.75 overall GPA as well as a 2.75 GPA in your major, minor, concentration, and education courses, or be in the upper half of your class before you student teach.

6. Earn a grade of “pass” or 2.0 GPA (C) or better in all areas of student teaching. You CANNOT be certified if you do not pass or if you receive a grade less than C for student teaching in your major.

7. To graduate, see “Graduation” in the More Academic Information section of this catalog.

You may take up to two teaching specializations. Certifications are for ages 6-21 in emotional behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, and cognitive disabilities unless you want certification at only one level, ages 6-12/13 or ages 12-21. In that case you must complete two certifications.

Notes Regarding Teacher Certification for Exceptional Education Majors

1. For teacher certification you must document 200 clock hours of prestudent teaching experience working with children and youth in regular classroom settings of which 50 clock hours are involved with designated social, cultural, or language groups. You must also document 90 clock hours of prestudent teaching experience working with children and youth within your specialization.

2. Be sure you understand and fulfill the human relations requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. You can pick up a copy of the human relations requirements checklist from the School of Education Advising Center, Room 469, CPS Building.

Exceptional Education Minors for Elementary/Secondary Teachers

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Minor for Teachers (birth - 8 years old)

This minor is required of early childhood education majors for initial certification. If you have completed initial certification in early childhood, elementary or exceptional education, you may add this license after graduation.

1. Complete a major certification program in elementary, exceptional, or early childhood education.

2. Take Educ 365, 366, 367, 378 (ECED majors do not need 378), 398 and 400.

3. Enrollment cap: 25 students admitted per year.

1. Professional Education: Complete a major certification program in education which includes: Educ 309 and/or 386 (see advisor), 351, 381, 383, 398, 400, HD 261, 265 or Psych 260, and methods courses in your instructional areas. Certification grade levels depend on initial certification program.

2. General Exceptional Educ: Educ 356, 362, 364, 368, 369, 378, 398 (in certification area), Com Dis 367.

3. Complete one of the following areas of certification:

1. Emotional behavioral disabilities (EBD):  no additional coursework required.

2. Learning disabilities (LD): Educ 310.

3. Cognitive disabilities (CD): no additional coursework required.

4. Enrollment caps: Eligible students will seek only one area in special education. 60 students will be accepted per year with a maximum of 30 students per certification area in EBD, LD, CD.