School of Education
Department of Graduate Education
Master of Science in Cross Categorical Special Education
Gain the skills and expertise to teach and provide accessible education to K-12 students with varying disabilities and learning needs.
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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.
License vs master's in special education - What's the difference?
Interested in obtaining your master's of education in special education? All of the 16-credits from this cross-categorical licensure count towards the 30-degree minimum required for this graduate degree.
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.
