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School of Education

School of Education Special Education Accelerated Teacher Licensure Certification

Graduate Teaching Certification

we’re here so you can be there for them

Are you looking to make a career change and move into the world of special education? Are you currently teaching special education with an emergency license? This accelerated program is designed to help our students earn an initial teaching licensure/certification for Cross Categorical Special Education 4K-12th grade so you can thrive in dynamic educational settings while assisting students with special needs.  

Program Benefits  

  • Flexible curriculum with courses offered 100% online.  
  • Help your students reach their full potential while understanding their unique needs. 
  • Paid student teaching is an option to those already employed in a setting that meets student teaching requirements prior to the start of the student teaching semester. If you have specific questions about student teaching placements please contact the Office of Field Experiences
  • Program can be combined with the Master’s in Education program to help you earn your degree.  
  • Courses taught by experienced faculty.  
  • Free workshops and online training to help students pass the Foundations of Reading Test or alternative pathways to meet licensure/certification requirements.  
  • Curriculum includes required practicum to ensure hands-on learning. 
School of Education

Why choose the Special Education Accelerated Teacher Certification program at UW-Stevens Point?

At UW-Stevens Point we provide online, interactive classes that create opportunities for you to examine and enrich your personal and professional goals. With engaged and passionate faculty, we strive to help every student succeed so they can earn their licensure/certification and begin/continue their work in special education.

School of Education
School of Education

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Special Education Accelerated Teacher Certification

By the Numbers

40
Credits
2
Years
US Dollars465
Per Credit + Fees

Courses and Requirements

This program is ideal for those who have a non-teaching bachelor’s degree and are either teaching special education with a license with stipulations (emergency license) or want a career change to impact students. Anyone who is looking to earn a teaching license in special education is welcome to apply to this program. Please note that students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to apply. Probationary admission will be considered for a lower GPA.

​Course Credits ​Term
​EDUC 723 – The Psychology of the Classroom 2 ​Summer I
​EDUC 755 – Foundations of Special Education ​3 ​​Summer I
​EDUC 713 – Essential Skills for Special Educators ​3 ​Fall I
​EDUC 769 – Curriculum and Instruction II ​3 ​Fall I
​EDUC 737 – Collaboration for Successful Transition ​3 ​Winterim I
​EDUC 764 – Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Disabilities I ​3 ​Spring I
​EDUC 756 – Special Education Assessment ​3 ​Spring I
Take PRAXIS if required
​EDUC 724 – Diversity and Development ​2 ​Summer II
​EDUC 704 – Strategies for Discipline and Classroom Management ​3 ​​Summer II
​EDUC 718 – Core Components of Teaching Reading ​3 Fall II
​EDUC 715 – Application and Analysis of Reading Instruction ​3 ​Fall II
Take FORT Test
​EDUC 773 – Technology Foundations in Teaching ​2 ​Winterim II
​EDUC 798 – Student Teaching
Must apply to student teach the semester prior to student teaching. Appropriate content tests, and Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) must be passed for full WI licensure. Paid student teaching is an option to those already employed in a setting that meets student teaching requirements prior to the start of the student teaching semester. If you have specific questions about student teaching placements please contact the Office of Field Experiences.
6 ​​Spring II
​EDUC 700 – Student Teaching Seminar ​1 ​​​Spring II
Total​ ​40 credits

To earn a licensure/certification, students must pass the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT). At UW-Stevens Point, our program includes preparation for the FoRT through two literacy courses and an on-site preparation workshop. **If you plan on taking the FoRT Alternative, you must take EDUC 718 and EDUC 747.

Students must also obtain a 3.00 or higher in all coursework throughout the program. If they fall below 3.00 then they must take the Praxis Subject Area Assessment in their content area to earn their licensure/certification. 

 

How much will it cost?

Tuition rates for School of Education master’s degree-level courses are $465/credit.
State Teacher College Rock at Old Main

Tuition and Costs

We recognize that cost is essential when determining which program is best for you. Tuition, segregated fees, and a distance education fee combine to determine the program’s total cost, and each item is priced on a per-credit basis. There is an additional $25 administrative fee per semester of enrollment. For questions about tuition or more information, please reach out to Student Financial Services.

Students enrolled in an add-on licensure program are considered non-degree seeking and will not be eligible for financial aid. If students combine their add-on licensure with the master’s in education degree, they are degree-seeking and are eligible for financial aid.

Master's in Education

Add a Master’s in Education

Are you interested in earning your Master’s in Education degree? With one additional research course you could earn your master’s degree along with your initial teaching licensure/certification in special education. This program’s courses can count towards the 30 graduate credits required for the master’s degree.

Meet your Faculty and Staff

Our instructors consistently achieve exemplary ratings and strive to utilize innovative instructional strategies in an online environment. We are available to assist our students and care deeply about their needs.
Sydney Bueno

Sydney Bueno

  • Associate Professor – Special Education
  • Liaison – Project Search
715-346-2354
Nikki Logan

Nikki Logan

  • Professor – Education
  • Coordinator – Special Education
Emily Wahlquist

Emily Wahlquist

  • Outreach Program Coordinator – Harju Center for Equity in Education
715-346-2524
Rayvn Knipple

Rayvn Knipple

  • Graduate Programs Assistant – School of Education
  • CPS University Staff Common Council Representative
715 346-2048
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DPI Accreditation

UW-Stevens Point’s teacher education programs are accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

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: 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, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia; U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • The requirements of this program do not meet Certification/Licensure in the following states: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau.
  • Note: If you live in a state or territory that does not meet certification/licensure requirements, contact the School of Education and we will investigate further.