Online Bachelor’s in Special Education
Open doors by unlocking your potential.
Exceptional children require highly skilled educators that can plan and administer special education curricula while facilitating a safe and effective classroom. The Online Bachelor’s in Special Education (SpecEd4U) is designed to provide an avenue for professionals who are currently working with students as a para-educator, special education assistant and/or supporting individuals with disabilities.
Why UW-Whitewater Online?
- Nationally recognized faculty
- Flexible and convenient for your schedule
- Scholarships available for qualifying students
- 98% employment rate for college graduates
Cross-categorical licensure
Graduates meet requirements for teaching license.
Fully Online
No requirements to come to campus.
Ranked #1 in Wisconsin
More teaching licenses awarded than any other university.
Online Bachelor’s in Special Education
Curriculum
The Online Bachelor in Special Education has been designed to prepare you for success as a student and in your career. The courses are fully online and offered in 8-week and 3-week course sequences, this allows students the opportunity to work in their current school district and partner with UW-Whitewater for on the job field experiences and student teaching.
This partnership is an excellent opportunity for districts to help support their educational assistants in seeking special education licensure. Students will have an opportunity to practice and implement the knowledge and skills obtained from their classes to positively impact the children and support their cooperating teachers.
Course Schedule
The program begins in the fall with a cohort of up to 30 students. Once this limit is reached, registration will be closed until the next year. Below is an example of what the course structure will look like in the program.
Fall Year One – First Semester
|
First 8-Weeks |
Second 8-Weeks |
|
• EDFOUND 222 (3) |
• SPECED 322 (3) |
Spring Year One – Second Semester
|
First 8-Weeks |
Second 8-Weeks |
|
• SPECED 321 (3) |
• SPECED 361 (3) |
Summer Year One
|
First 3-Weeks |
Second 3-Weeks |
|
• SPECED 466 (3) |
• SPECED 406 (3) |
Fall Year Two – Third Semester
|
First 8-Weeks |
Second 8-Weeks |
|
• SPECED 360 (3) |
• SPECED 440 (3) |
Spring Year Two – Fourth Semester
|
First 8-Weeks |
Second 8-Weeks |
|
• SPECED 458 (3) |
• SPECED 465 (3) |
Summer Year Two
|
First 3-Weeks |
Second 3-Weeks |
|
• SPECED 473 (3) |
• SPECED 475 (3) |
Fall Year Three
15-Week Directed Teaching
- Requirements: Letter of support from school district, 3.0 GPA or Praxis II, Grades C or better in all major courses. Recommended: Passing of WI Foundation of Reading Test.
SPECFLD 489 A (6) D (5) ID or B (3)C(3)D(5) EBD/LD AND SPECED 480 (3)
Program Completion Requirements
Pass Phase 4 Portfolio, edTPA and Directed Teaching
Students may be required to take additional courses for program admission based on academic report.
Admissions Requirements
To ensure a high-quality student group, all students in the Bachelor’s in Special Education must meet the requirements below.
Students transferring in college credits must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 or appropriate ACT/SAT/CORE scores
To be considered students must provide proof of the following:
• Completion of 350 documented hours working with children
• School Affiliation documentation used for program Fieldwork Placement
• School Affiliation documentation used for Directed Teaching Placement
For next steps complete the Request Information form and a program representative will be in touch.
Application Information
There are several application paths an online bachelor's student might take including as transfer, reentry, or second-degree seeking applicants. You may even be an international applicant.
Unofficial Transcript Review
Transfer, Reentry, and Second-Degree Seeking students can request an unofficial transcript review. An unofficial review will give you an idea of which of your credits might transfer and how those transfer credits might apply to the online bachelor's program.
You can also determine potential transfer credit by using Transferology. Transferology is a fast and free way to determine how credits may transfer from one institution to another.
If you aren’t sure which application path to follow, need help completing the UW-System E-Application, or would like to request a transcript review complete the Request Information form and a program representative will get in touch with you.
Online Tuition
The online bachelor's program at UW-Whitewater is a superior value at $395 USD per credit for the 2023-24 academic year. This tuition rate applies to Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students who have declared an online bachelor's major.
Textbook rental is included in the cost of tuition for undergraduate students through the University Bookstore's Textbook Rental. Once enrolled in courses, students should verify what materials are needed with their instructors and contact Textbook Rental to have textbooks mailed.
UW-Whitewater students may apply for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a "Financial Aid Package" and may be offered individually or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed.
If you are eligible to receive education benefits under the various Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the State of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) programs, please email the Veterans Benefits Office and a team member will get in touch with you.
To receive the most accurate cost information, complete the Request Information form and a program representative will get in touch with you.
