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 three 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 Applied Behavior Analysis, Cross-Categorical Licensure or Evidence Based Practice. 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 Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis is designed to prepare professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to use Applied Behavior Analysis to create, coordinate and/or implement ABA-based interventions with individuals who have challenging behavior and/or disabilities.
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 Evidence Based Practice 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 Evidence Based Practice 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.
Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Cross-Categorical Licensure Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Evidence Based Practice Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all MSE in Special Education 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 Online Masters in Special Education graduate program at UW-Whitewater is a superior value at $611 USD per credit as a Wisconsin resident for the 2023-24 academic year.
If you compare our graduate tuition to others, you will find that this per-credit price is quite reasonable.
What creates this value?
Course materials
Graduate students can purchase textbooks and other instructional materials through the University Bookstore or elsewhere online. Students should verify what materials are needed with their instructor.
Financial aid
Students enrolled in the Graduate certificate programs are not federal aid eligible.
Students completing a certificate with a degree program may be eligible 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 singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. For more information, please reach out directly to the Financial Aid department.
The Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis Master's degree is designed to prepare professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to use Applied Behavior Analysis to create, coordinate and/or implement ABA-based interventions with individuals who have challenging behavior and/or disabilities. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the ABA courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
Applied Behavior Analysis Coursework (21 credits):
Action Research (6 credits)
Electives (9 credits)
Students will work with their advisor to choose 9 elective credits.
Admission Requirements:
Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog.
The MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Cross Categorical Licensure 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 Licensure in as little as a year and a half.
Admission Requirements:
Students must pass a criminal background check prior to admission to professional education.
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 MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Evidence Based Practice is designed for currently licensed teachers or professionals in related fields who seek advanced knowledge in special education.
Required courses for the Evidence Based Practice emphasis include:
Elective courses for Evidence Based Practice emphasis include:
Admission Requirements:
Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate 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 graduate certificate in Assistive Technology will teach you about Assistive Technology assessment principles, software applications, and devices that can be used virtually or in-person to meet the needs of neurodivergent students. They will also learn about professional conduct, as well as the history and the law of Assistive Technology.
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 graduate certificate in Trauma Informed Educational Practice certificate prepares professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to provide support for districts whose students have been impacted by trauma.
The Online Transition Graduate Certificate prepares educators, independent living professionals, and transition specialists to work effectively with exceptional adolescents and young adults.
Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health in Schools - Online Graduate Certificate
The Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health in Schools certificate is an interdisciplinary program for professionals working with children and adolescents in school-based settings with a focus on understanding the social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics and needs of youth, especially when identified mental health needs are present.