Special Education

Why major in special education?

Being a special educator allows you to make a positive difference in the lives of children with disabilities. Trained to look beyond students’ disabilities to their potential, you will help students succeed in school and beyond.

*National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education (www.specialedcareers.org)

The program

The program prepares you to work in general and special education settings with children and youth who have a wide range of disabilities. In the program you will learn a variety of teaching strategies and methods for developing and adapting materials to match the needs of each student to help them reach their full learning potential.

Courses will include face-to-face and online instruction as well as a combination of both, depending on the specific class. Field experience (student teaching) at the end of the program will take place at Riverview Middle School in Plymouth, Wisc.

General Education Requirements for the BSE, EC-MC and SPED Completion Degrees

Academic map to Special Education degree

Education Courses that meet SPED Cross Categorical MC-A Licensure which are already
being offered by UWO at UW-Sheboygan

Upon completing the program you qualify to apply for licensure in Special Education (cross-categorical, K-12) with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Location

Designed to help you earn a bachelor’s degree close to home and help area school districts meet the demand for special education teachers, courses are taught by UW Oshkosh College of Education and Human Services faculty at Riverview Middle School in Plymouth, Wisc., — just 11 miles from Sheboygan, 25 miles from Fond du Lac and West Bend and 30 miles from Manitowoc.

Career potential

Employment in the special education field is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (BLS) Job prospects should be excellent because many districts report problems finding adequate numbers of licensed special education teachers.

The U.S. Department of Education reports the number of students with disabilities served under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act continues to increase at a rate higher than both the general population and school enrollment. In Wisconsin, there continues to be a strong demand for special education teachers as well.

Program Contact:

Denise Clark, Ph.D.
(920) 424-7032
clarkd@uwosh.edu