Exceptional individuals require highly skilled educators, specialists, and support staff that can plan and facilitate special education curricula in a safe and engaging environment . The Online MSE in Special Education program is designed to provide an avenue for students with bachelor’s degrees to expand upon their education with the option of two emphases to customize their learning experience.
Each candidate receives a program tailored for their experience.
No requirements to come to campus.
More teaching licenses awarded than any other university.
This program offers a high quality, practitioner-oriented approach that is committed to developing highly-qualified and effective educators, specialists, and support staff that work with exceptional individuals.
The Online MSE in Special Education is a 36-credit program with an emphasis in either Cross-Categorical Licensure or Professional Development. This fully online program can be started any term and at a pace that works best for you. Full-time students can finish in as little as a year and a half.
The Cross-Categorical Licensure emphasis is for individuals seeking either an initial teaching license or to add-on a Cross-Categorical special education teaching license to their existing teaching license(s). Students who already have a teaching license in another area may be able to include some elective options.
The Professional Development emphasis is available to individuals from a wide variety of careers who work with individuals with special needs including currently licensed teachers and individuals in related fields. The Professional Development emphasis is made up of 9 required credits and 27 elective credits, which can include one or more graduate certificates.
More information on each emphasis structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog.
Cross-Categorical Licensure Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Professional Development Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all MSE in Special students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and meet graduate admission criteria.
If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.
International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.
The MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education is designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree who seek initial licensure in special education. Individuals with current emergency licenses are also ideal candidates for this program.
Courses for the Cross Categorical emphasis may include:
Students can complete a 36 credit MSE in Special Education with an Emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education in as little as a year in a half.
Admission Requirements:
Students must pass a criminal background check prior to admission to professional education.
The MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Professional Development is designed for currently licensed teachers or professionals in related fields who seek advanced knowledge in special education.
Required courses for the Professional Development emphasis include:
Elective courses for Professional Development emphasis include:
Admission Requirements:
Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog.
In the Professional Development emphasis, students can include up to three graduate certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Specialist, Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities, and/or Transition Specialist.
Students also have the option to select any combination of 27 elective credits from the courses available in the graduate special education course catalog.
The Online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis pairs research and experience to prepare professionals to work with individuals with behavior needs.
The Online Autism Specialist Graduate Certificate is ideal for educators who want to increase their understanding of working with children with autism.
The Online Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities prepares professionals with an understanding of the neurobiological causes of dyslexia, techniques to skillfully intervene, and proficiencies in evaluating educational needs in reading.
The Online Transition Graduate Certificate prepares educators, independent living professionals, and Transition specialists to work effectively with exceptional adolescents and young adults.