Special Education – K-12

Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Superior was founded as a teacher education college in 1893, and we remain committed to that strong heritage of innovation and quality in our education programs today. Teaching is one of the world’s most impactful professions, and it can also be one of the most challenging and rapidly changing. Our faculty keep pace with these changes, teaching the latest instructional methods and best practices.

If you are majoring in Education and are interested in better understanding the needs of students with learning differences and how to best meet those needs in the classroom, this minor will be a great fit for you. Coursework within this major includes inclusive management strategies, family and culture, practicum in special education, methods in special education, the exceptional child, interventions/methods in services in special education, and individual educational assessment and IEP development.

This minor is available online and on campus.

What You’ll Learn

Through a Special Education minor, you will learn best-practice educational techniques for teaching students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional and physical disabilities. You’ll learn how to adapt general education lessons and teach core subjects like reading and math, making learning accessible to each of their students. You will also learn instructional methods for teaching basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with disabilities.

Unique Opportunities

• Qualified special education teachers are in high demand. The vast majority of our graduates find teaching jobs upon graduation, and many have multiple opportunities to choose from.
• In addition to opportunities in grades K-12 throughout your coursework, you will complete a full semester of student teaching at the end of your degree and licensure program. Our Field Experience Coordinator will help you find placements that fit your individual goals in locations that work for you.
• Our programs are designed to align with Wisconsin state licensure requirements. However, many students apply for licenses in other states, such as Minnesota and Michigan. We encourage you to check with your state’s Department of Education to determine if there are additional requirements.
• Unlike many universities, our education programs do not have an enrollment cap, meaning there is no enrollment limit for students who meet admissions guidelines.

Licensure

A Special Education minor, when paired with an Elementary Education major, an Instruction minor and student teaching residency, leads to licensure in the State of Wisconsin in cross-categorical special education, allowing individuals to teach students with a variety of disabilities. 

The University of Wisconsin-Superior no longer requires the Praxis assessment for degree licensure. As you are preparing to become a licensed educator in Wisconsin, you will partner with your advisor to select the content area assessment that you prefer. Choose from two options:

• Content area GPA – based on specific courses embedded in curriculum and designated course assessments
• Passing score on an appropriate content area DPI-approved exam

This license requires candidates to complete and pass approved pedagogical knowledge assessments, the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test or assessment, and content area knowledge assessment.

This program meets Wisconsin state educator licensure requirements and satisfies many other states’ and countries’ requirements, as well. View a complete list and more information here.