Special Education License

Courses are taught by academically and professionally qualified faculty who combine sound theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world experience.

Instructors recognize the knowledge and perspective that students contribute to the learning process through active engaged teaching and learning creating a sense of classroom community through collaboration and individualization.

Courses are grounded in the principles of Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Practices based on the Council for Exceptional Children and InTASC Standards emphasizing Diversity, Fairness in Evaluation and Social Justice as foundation.

Unique Teaching Opportunities

As a student enrolled in the Special Education program at Edgewood College, you will have the opportunity to work in the Cutting Edge, a unique college campus outreach program for individuals with disabilities who are currently undereducated and underemployed.  Involvement with Cutting Edge students occurs through two course practicums.

Special Education License Course Sequence

Candidates who do not hold a teaching license complete all licensing courses listed below.

• ED 635 Diversity in the Schools (3 credits based on undergrad transcript audit)

CROSS-CATEGORICAL CORE REQUIREMENTS- Candidates complete 9 credits of cross-categorical core courses.

• ED 704 XCAT Disability and Marginality (3 credits) Blended
• ED 616 Transition I Individual & Family Process (3 credits) Blended
• ED 681 Child and Adolescent Development  (3 credits based on undergrad transcript audit) 

TEACHING METHODS: COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL , AND LEARNING DISABILITIES- Candidates complete 18 credits of Methods Courses.

• ED 672A Special Education Reading Literacy I (3 credits) Blended
• ED 672B Special Education Reading Literacy II (3 credits )Blended
• ED 672C Special Education Language and Communication Development (3 credits)
• ED 675A XCAT SPED Assessment & Analysis (3 credits)
• ED 676A Intellectual, Emotional and Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
• ED 688 Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers I (3 credits) 

STUDENT TEACHING

• ED 660 Reflections in Teaching Practice (2 credits)
• ED 695 Xcat SPED Student Teaching (2 credits)

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION – SPECIAL EDUCATION CONCENTRATION

Candidates who seek a Master of Arts in Education degree take 2 additional courses (34 credits total).

• ED 603 Introduction to Education Research (3 credits)
• ED 692 Research Capstone Project (3 credits)

Other Licensure Requirements

Assessments Required

1. Transcript Audit upon application for Oral and Written  Competencies, Content Requirements & Wisconsin Statute requirements
2. Certified Background Check upon Entry
3. Candidates must pass the ALTFORT  Requirements and Reading Portfolio 
4. Student Teaching
5. Candidates must pass the Edgewood College Teacher Performance Assessment during student teaching
6. Maintain a 3.0 in Graduate Courses

Possible Assessments

1. Praxis Core may be required depending upon Entry GPA
2. Content PRAXIS II 5146 may be required
3. ESL PRAXIS II may be required for ESL

Financing your Edgewood College License Certification or Master’s Degree

Edgewood College is committed to making a life-changing education more affordable and accessible to more people than ever before.

Courses (27 credits) in the Special Education License sequence are offered at the tuition rate for licenses. These credits can be applied toward the Master of Arts in Education with a Special Education concentration.

Tuition and Financial Aid information for license and master’s programs.

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans. Learn more about Stafford Loans, including eligibility requirements and application instructions at Graduate Student Financial Aid.

Financial Aid Questions? Contact Edgewood Central at 608-663-4300 or ecentral@edgewood.edu.

Our admissions and financial aid counselors have worked with thousands of students who have questioned how they could afford to complete their graduate education. They will use their experience to suggest creative solutions for financing your education. We work with students and organizations to manage tuition reimbursement plans, extend tuition discounts to various corporate partners in the region, offer third party billing and monthly payment plans, and work with veterans to maximize their available aid.

Teachers are encouraged to inquire about the Teach Grant

Special Education license seeking students may qualify for the TEACH grant; a federal grant which, “provides grants of up to $4000 per year to students who agree to teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families and to meet other requirements.” These funds do not need to be repaid if you “serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight years after you complete or otherwise cease to be enrolled in the program for which you received the TEACH grant.”

Please review carefully the  TEACH grant website to review the program stipulations and obligations upon program completion. From this site, you can also find a link which lists current eligible schools and districts that serve low-income students.

To apply for the TEACH grant through Edgewood College, you must first notify your program advisor about your intent to apply. Your advisor will then verify your eligibility with the Financial Aid office and put you in touch with a Financial Aid officer to complete the TEACH grant enrollment process.

Apply Today!  Complete and submit the graduate application. This application is for graduate students who want to pursue a Master’s degree, license,  or take a course as a non-degree student. 

New students may start their program at five entry points throughout the year.  Please note priority deadline dates. 

• Fall Session I - August 1 (August start)
• Fall Session II - October 1 (October start)
• Spring Session I - January 2 (Jan start)
• Spring Session II - March 1 (March start)
• Summer Session - May 1 

All required application materials should be submitted by deadlines. Applications received after deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Questions?  Contact Joann Nowka, jnowka@edgewood.edu, 608-663-4247. 

Admission Requirements

1. Provide evidence of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent post-secondary institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission status. The cumulative grade point average is computed on the highest degree held at the time of application to the Edgewood College graduate program.
2. Request that official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic credits received from each post-secondary institution that you have attended. 
3. Provide two letters of recommendation from college or university professors, supervisors and/or professional colleagues who can focus on the candidate’s probability of success in graduate school.
4. Submit a written statement listing the reasons that you will be successful in graduate school your passion for teaching special education: cite how specific background experiences will aid in your success as a student.
5. International students must contact Graduate and Professional Studies for additional admission requirements. Learn more.

Possible Assessments

1. Praxis Core may be required depending upon Entry GPA
2. Content PRAXIS II 5146 may be required
3. ESL PRAXIS II may be required for ESL

 Transfer Credits

You may submit up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit for consideration of transfer to Edgewood College for application to a degree program. Approval of the respective department is required. To be considered for application to a degree program, a course must have been taken within the past five years. For more information about transfer credits, please contact your admissions counselor.

Although Wisconsin maintains high standards for our teacher education programs, there is not simple reciprocity between Wisconsin and all other states. Each state sets their own requirements for teacher licensure, but will generally allow for Wisconsin teaching and administrator licenses to be transferred. Specific requirements are left to each state’s department of education, which are linked below.

State Licensure/Certification Disclosure for Teacher Licenses
The information below reflects whether this program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the specified states.
Satisfies Educational Requirements:
WI, IL, CO, CT, DE, HI, IN, IA, KS (secondary), LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NY, NC, PA, RI, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV, WY
Does Not Satisfy Educational Requirements:  
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, FL, GA, ID, KS (elementary), KY, ME, MD, MS, NV, NH, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OK, OR, SC, SD, UT, VA

State Licensure/Certification Disclosure for School Administration Licenses
The information below reflects whether this program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the specified states.
Satisfies Educational Requirements:
WI, IL
No Determination Made:
All states are referenced here

Please contact clinical@edgewood.edu, with additional questions.