Special Education Degree Programs

UW-SET

Gain experience in a rural classroom setting while obtaining your master’s degree.

• Accelerated program (14 months – summer, fall, spring, summer)
• Placement in one of 24 schools in rural partner districts
• Stipend (can be used to pay for tuition and fees)
• Support after graduation

INCLUDE

Gain real world interdisciplinary experience as a member of Project INCLUDE, a collaboration between Special Education and Speech Language Pathology.

• Funding package total of $29,500 over the course of the program*
• Specialized coursework, activities, and field placements with a focus on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology for children and youth
• *For each semester of funding that students receive, one year of service as a special education teacher is required after graduation

Response-to-Intervention (RTI) and School Teams

This training grant, funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, will improve the quality and supply of personnel who serve children with disabilities by training master’s-level special educators and school psychology graduate students in skills needed to perform effectively in problem solving teams involved in response-to-intervention (RTI).

• Funding package includes: $12,067 per year for two years for in-state residents; $25,558 per year for two years for out-of-state residents.
• For each semester of funding that students receive, one year of service as a special educator is required after graduation.
• Eight special education masters students will be funded by this training grant, along with eight school psychology students.
• The grant will provide funding on a rolling basis from AY 2019-20 through 2022-2023.

Federal Loan Forgiveness: All students in the teacher certification track of the Master of Science in Special Education program may be eligible for loan forgiveness as a teacher. To learn more about loan forgiveness or cancellation, please check the Loan Forgiveness page on the Federal Student Aid website.

Teacher Pledge: All students in the teacher certification track of the Master of Science in Special Education program are eligible for the Teacher Pledge Program. Pledge to work at a Wisconsin pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school for three to four years after graduation. The School of Education pledges to pay the equivalent of in-state tuition and fees, testing and licensing costs. Learn more about the Teacher Pledge. 

• Previously earned bachelor’s degree (can be unrelated to education)
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA
• Seeking initial special education teaching license
• Interested in changing the lives of and empowering those around them

Now accepting applications for Summer 2020

• To apply you will need:
  • 1 statement of purpose indicating your reasons for pursuing special education certification
    • Additionally, state your interest in any of the funding options (above)
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • 1 current resume
  • Unofficial transcripts from colleges/universities attended
• Apply for the “Special Education MS – Teacher Certification” program via Graduate School Application Portal
  • Choose which term you would like to start
  • Application fee required

Currently accepting fall and summer applicants.

Deadline to apply for summer 2020 is May 15, 2020.

Courses are offered on campus, Monday-Friday, during the day and evening. Information regarding program requirements, course descriptions, and graduation requirements can be found in The Guide.

Additional coursework may be required if accepted into one of the funded programs.

The master’s in special education with teacher certification can be completed in as little as 14 months, including summer coursework.