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Our program is based in culturally-relevant socially just pedagogy with restorative justice practices, ensuring that the needs of today’s learners in inclusive classrooms are our priority.
Teachers who are licensed in Special Education are in high demand in Wisconsin schools. A recent analysis of our graduates found that 100% of the students who completed the Edgewood College Special Education License program received DPI certification and were placed in special education teaching positions within one year of graduation.
Licensing for Teachers
Master's Degree & Advanced License
Obtain your master’s degree in conjunction with an advanced special education license by completing just 6 additional credits.
Courses are taught by academically and professionally qualified faculty who combine sound theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world experience.
Instructors recognize the knowledge and perspective that students contribute to the learning process through active engaged teaching and learning creating a sense of classroom community through collaboration and individualization.
Courses are grounded in the principles of Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Practices based on the Council for Exceptional Children and InTASC Standards emphasizing Diversity, Fairness in Evaluation and Social Justice as foundation.
Unique Teaching Opportunities
As a student enrolled in the Special Education program at Edgewood College, you will have the opportunity to work in the Cutting Edge, a unique college campus outreach program for individuals with disabilities who are currently undereducated and underemployed. Involvement with Cutting Edge students occurs through two course practicums.
Candidates who do not hold a teaching license complete all licensing courses listed below.
CROSS-CATEGORICAL CORE REQUIREMENTS- Candidates complete 9 credits of cross-categorical core courses.
TEACHING METHODS: COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL , AND LEARNING DISABILITIES- Candidates complete 18 credits of Methods Courses.
STUDENT TEACHING
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION – SPECIAL EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
Candidates who seek a Master of Arts in Education degree take 2 additional courses (34 credits total).
Other Licensure Requirements
Assessments Required
Possible Assessments
Fran Johnson is the Coordinator of the Cross-categorical Special Education Program. She earned her master’s from the University of Wisconsin Madison Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education while teaching in the Madison Metropolitan School District where she served as a Special Education teacher, Program Support Teacher, and Positive Behavior Support Team Middle School Teacher. Fran was an investigator on several Federal Grants, designed and implemented administrator and faculty staff development on K-12 Language Arts Standards, changes in IDEA (1991, 1997, 2001 & 2004) and developed and taught multiple Professional Development courses for general educators and special educators. During her public school career, Fran served as Cooperating Teacher, Teacher Trainer and Supervising Teacher to many students and teachers. In addition to her work at Edgewood, Fran serves as a trainer and consultant in the area of Positive Behavior Supports for area school districts. Current research focus is on Brain Targeted Teaching, Executive Function Strategy Instruction, and Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices.
Financing your Edgewood College License Certification or Master’s Degree
Edgewood College is committed to making a life-changing education more affordable and accessible to more people than ever before.
Courses (27 credits) in the Special Education License sequence are offered at the tuition rate for licenses. These credits can be applied toward the Master of Arts in Education with a Special Education concentration.
Tuition and Financial Aid information for license and master’s programs.
Financial Aid
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans. Learn more about Stafford Loans, including eligibility requirements and application instructions at Graduate Student Financial Aid.
Financial Aid Questions? Contact Edgewood Central at 608-663-4300 or ecentral@edgewood.edu.
Our admissions and financial aid counselors have worked with thousands of students who have questioned how they could afford to complete their graduate education. They will use their experience to suggest creative solutions for financing your education. We work with students and organizations to manage tuition reimbursement plans, extend tuition discounts to various corporate partners in the region, offer third party billing and monthly payment plans, and work with veterans to maximize their available aid.
Special Education license seeking students may qualify for the TEACH grant; a federal grant which, “provides grants of up to $4000 per year to students who agree to teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families and to meet other requirements.” These funds do not need to be repaid if you “serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight years after you complete or otherwise cease to be enrolled in the program for which you received the TEACH grant.”
Please review carefully the TEACH grant website to review the program stipulations and obligations upon program completion. From this site, you can also find a link which lists current eligible schools and districts that serve low-income students.
To apply for the TEACH grant through Edgewood College, you must first notify your program advisor about your intent to apply. Your advisor will then verify your eligibility with the Financial Aid office and put you in touch with a Financial Aid officer to complete the TEACH grant enrollment process.
Apply Today! Complete and submit the graduate application. This application is for graduate students who want to pursue a Master’s degree, license, or take a course as a non-degree student.
New students may start their program at five entry points throughout the year. Please note priority deadline dates.
All required application materials should be submitted by deadlines. Applications received after deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Questions? Contact 608-663-3250 or jeastman@edgewood.edu.
Admission Requirements
Possible Assessments
Transfer Credits
You may submit up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit for consideration of transfer to Edgewood College for application to a degree program. Approval of the respective department is required. To be considered for application to a degree program, a course must have been taken within the past five years. For more information about transfer credits, please contact your admissions counselor.
Although Wisconsin maintains high standards for our teacher education programs, there is not simple reciprocity between Wisconsin and all other states. Each state sets their own requirements for teacher licensure, but will generally allow for Wisconsin teaching and administrator licenses to be transferred. Specific requirements are left to each state’s department of education, which are linked below.
State Licensure/Certification Disclosure for Teacher Licenses
The information below reflects whether this program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the specified states.
Satisfies Educational Requirements:
WI, IL, CO, CT, DE, HI, IN, IA, KS (secondary), LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NY, NC, PA, RI, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV, WY
Does Not Satisfy Educational Requirements:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, FL, GA, ID, KS (elementary), KY, ME, MD, MS, NV, NH, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OK, OR, SC, SD, UT, VA
State Licensure/Certification Disclosure for School Administration Licenses
The information below reflects whether this program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the specified states.
Satisfies Educational Requirements:
WI, IL
No Determination Made:
All states are referenced here
Please contact Michael Meissen, Clinical and Advising Coordinator, with additional questions.