Cross Categorical Special Education Licensure (WI DPI #2801)

Expand your teaching career with an add-on license in special education

A license in cross-categorical special education will further develop your skills and awareness to serve K-12 students with varying disabilities. Learn to create an inclusive environment for students with learning, intellectual, and emotional behavioral disabilities. Strengthen your teaching abilities to apply the best learning strategies for their needs.

Credits

Licensures

License covers intellectual & specific learning disabilities, and emotional behavioral disabilities.

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Participate in flexible 8-week courses that are practical for today's students.

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Program Overview

If you hold a Tier II or above Wisconsin DPI (Department of Public Instruction) teacher license, you are eligible to earn your add-on cross-categorical licensure in special education. This 16-credit license prepares teachers to work with K-12 students with the following disabilities:

Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (EBD)

You will learn to identify characteristics of children with disabilities, assess students, serve on an IEP team, and create learning environments that align with their physical, social, and emotional needs. Upon program completion, you will be eligible to apply for the WI DPI add-on teacher license.

Other degree options

If you have not yet earned your Wisconsin teaching license, choose to earn your initial SPED license online through our accelerated bachelor's degree or post-baccalaureate pathways.

What to Expect

Accelerated 8-week online sessions
Complete on your own schedule within the weekly deadlines
Individualized attention
Online discussions with peers and faculty
Complete special education portfolios as part of the required assessment process
Complete the required practicum hours. This student teaching can even be completed in your current school upon approval.
Rolling admissions (Applications are taken at any time and you can start at the beginning of the next 8-week session.)

Passing the Praxis II (MS Content Knowledge) and the WI Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) may be required for some graduate students. Individuals who keep a 3.0 GPA in each course do not have to take the Praxis II. Teachers with a lifetime license do not have to take the WI FORT.

Application Steps

For students seeking a licensure or an individual course, please complete an application at www.cuw.edu/apply. Select the Non-Degree option.

International Students

International students should contact the Office of International Admissions at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional information on eligibility and application requirements.

For more details, please visit our International Admissions page.

Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.

Janis Chapman
M.Ed.

Director - Graduate Alternative and Special Education Programs

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Assistant Dean, Professor

Webinar recordings

Watch a recent webinar

Curriculum

EDG 5000	Assessment for Special Education This course provides a foundation in utilizing formal and informal evaluation and assessment concepts, tools and reporting which impact eligibility, placement, and instructional decisions for students who may be eligible for special education services. Topics include FBA/BIP; IEP; selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting norm- and criterion-referenced assessments; among others.	3
EDG 5005	Principles of Behavior Management This course introduces concepts of behavior management for exceptional students. Topics include developing appropriate academic and social behaviors, decreasing challenging behaviors and creating positive learning environments that facilitate student learning and effective social interaction. Principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), functional behavior assessments (FBA), behavior intervention plans (BIP) and manifestation determination review (MDR), and other topics are examined.	3
EDG 5010	Legal Issues in Special Education This course is designed to provide students with an overview of children and youth with disabilities and the legal requirements of providing an education for those students. Students will examine the components of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and how they ensure students with disabilities appropriate educational and related services. Other case studies and laws regarding the education and treatment of students with disabilities will also be examined.	3
EDG 5015	Literacy for Diverse Students This course provides instruction in teaching literacy to diverse students including those with disabilities. Content includes developmentally appropriate practices in the teaching of phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, theoretical models of evidence-based instructional approaches, literacy in the content areas, curriculum development, and literacy assessment within the focus of culturally responsive teaching of diverse students, including students with disabilities who need adaptations. Student videos of literacy teaching segments with coaching and feedback are also included in the course.	3
EDG 5030	Teaching Methods for Exceptional Students This course examines teaching methods for exceptional students related to interventions, adaptations, and collaboration for the successful inclusion and transition of exceptional students. Characteristics of exceptional students, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and the development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) are also explored.	3
EDG 7001	Special Education Portfolio I This is the first step in the required assessment process for the Masters in Education degree. Students complete the initial setup of their portfolio and develop rationales for each standard in their program. Note: Permission from the graduate special education program director is required for registration.	0
EDG 7002	Special Education Portfolio II This is the second step in the required assessment process for the Masters in Education degree. Students insert one artifact for each standard into their portfolio. Note: Successful completion of Portfolio I and permission from the graduate special education program director is required for registration. Prerequisite: EDG 7001.	0
EDG 7003	Special Education Portfolio III This is the third step in the required assessment process for licensure and the Master of Science in Education degree. Students add additional artifacts for each standard into their portfolio, among other tasks. Note: Successful completion of Portfolios I and II, and permission from the graduate special education program director, are required for registration. Prerequisites: EDG 7001 and 7002.	0
EDG 7010	Cross Categorical Special Education Practicum and Seminar Each practicum will be individualized to meet the needs of the graduate student; therefore, practicum hours and placement levels will be determined by CUW special education faculty after a thorough review of the applicant’s file and practicum application. Prerequisite: All licensure coursework.	1
Total Hours		16

Cross Categorical Special Education Licensure (WI DPI #2801)

Expand your teaching career with an add-on license in special education

Credits

Licensures

100% Online

Questions? We’re here to help

Get answers to your questions

Other degree options

Janis Chapman
M.Ed.

Janis Chapman
M.Ed.

Bio

Education

Research Interests

Teaching Interests

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Bio

Education

Contributions

Presentations

Research Interests

Teaching Interests

Questions? We’re here to help