Special Education at the University of Wisconsin

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Degree Planning

Entry Requirements

Admission into the department of Special Education requires admission into the College of Education.

Admission Policy

Read the Admission Requirements in the Professional Education Handbook carefully. Access @ http://www.uww.edu/coe/admission/prof_ed_admin/

If you meet the requirements for admission into Professional Education, you will be admitted into the programs of your choice in Special Education. You may seek licensure in more than one area of special education.

Admission to Professional Education

Apply by the published deadline (Please check for upcoming dates at COE window 2nd floor Winther Hall or COE web page) If slots are still available in programs, continuous admission is available after these deadline, for those students who must have coursework in Professional Education to maintain their status.

Continuous Admission Procedure
Only for students not seeking an exception based on GPA or PPST

Continuous admission is available if:

applicants meet all eligibility requirements
program slots are still available must enroll in Prof. Educ. course to maintain status

Admission to Professional Education: Basic Requirements

Completed a minimum of any 40 credits
“C” or better in Speech 110
Attend COE Orientation Meeting Current enrollment in the Pre-Professional Block (You must make a “C” or better) Apply by the published deadline (Please check for upcoming dates at COE window 2nd floor Winther Hall or COE web page)
Successful completion of Phase 2 Portfolio

Pre-Professional Block (Phase 2) Portfolio Requirement

All students, including transfer students, seeking initial licensu January 8, 2008 to their Pre-Professional Block courses. Successful completion of this Portfolio will be a prerequisite for continuation and Admission to Professional Education

Pre-Professional Skills Test

All applicants must pass all three (Reading, Math, & Writing) subtests of the PPST to be admitted.

Experience with Learners

350 hours of focused and supervised experience with learners
Minimum of 350 hours beginning with freshman year in high school
At least 300 hours of verified experiences from educational facilities such as schools, agencies, institutions, centers, or organizations
Some examples: instructional aide, substitute teacher, day care teacher, classroom volunteer, camp counselor, after school tutor, Sunday school teacher, etc.
Up to 50 hours of experience that may be related to the role of teacher not associated or attached to an educational facility
Some examples: child care, job related training, parenting, tour group leader, etc.
description or verification should be provided
Goal is to engage in supervised, focused experiences that will provide a backdrop for future learning
Encouraged to seek out opportunities to work with diverse learners:
- race
- ethnicity
- ability
- socio-economic status
Plan ahead! You need to have written verification of your involvement with learners
Must have verification on letter head stationary from educational organization or agency supervisors or other appropriate personnel

Sample Verification of Experience with Learners

LETTERHEAD STATIONARY

(must include address, phone, fax, and name of supervisor)

_______________ (name) worked or volunteered as a ______________ from ____to ____ for a total of _____ (hours). Some of the duties included, but were not limited to, ___________________

Signature ________________

Title ____________________

GPA Requirements

GPA of 2.75. Guaranteed admission to students with cumulative 3.4 GPA who meet other eligibility requirements.

Admission based on rank ordering by cumulative GPA if all other eligibility requirements are met.

Pre-Professional Block

Requirements for Admission to Pre-Professional Block
2.75 GPA on at least 12 credits
Passing scores on 2 of the 3 subtests of the Pre-Professional Skills Test
( Reading, Writing, & Math)
YOU NEED ADVISOR APPROVAL TO REGISTER

Advising

Prior to admission to professional education all students should seek advisement from:

College of Education Advising Center WH2003
Contact: Steve Kruse kruses@uww.edu

After Admission to professional education you will receive email notification from the College of Education to contact an advisor in the Department of Special Education.
During your advising meeting a licensure plan will be developed for cross categorical program completion.
Remember to plan your coursework requirements for Communication and Calculation Skills and University General Studies to include PI 4 General Education requirements for teacher licensure in Wisconsin
English, Math, Speech, Fine Arts
Physical Science, Biology
Western History or Contemporary Culture
Non-western History or Non-contemporary Culture

Program Milestones and Block Descriptions

Program Milestones

Passing the Phase 3 Portfolio is required to be eligible for Directed Teaching
Students can enroll in the following course if they need to redo any phase of the portfolio:
EDUINP 475/675 Licensure Portfolio Review: Special Education (.5 credits) offered in Winterm and Summer sessions.Passing the Phase 4 Portfolio is required to be eligible for licensure

Special Education Methods Block

Includes:

Methods course(s) in cross categorical special education licensure
Methods courses in specialization emphases CD, LD/EBD
2 Special Education Field Experiences (cross categorical and specialization)
successful completion of a portfolio
approximately 80 hours of field experience in special education classrooms

General Education Block