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Special Education

Leading the Way for Students with Disabilities

Are you interested in being a leader, collaborating with others, and improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families? If so, a career as a special education teacher may be right for you. And the best part? You don’t need a special education background to get there — just a passion for helping those with disabilities and the desire to be an advocate for students and their families. 

The special education program is the academic home to many students who enjoy working with children and youth, especially those with disabilities. Special education master’s graduates enter a high-need field with an almost 100% job placement rate after graduation.  

UW-Madison Guide

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Program Highlights

  • Start when it’s right for you: Summer and fall semester starts offer flexibility to work the program into your everyday life. 
  • Earn your degree at your pace: You can complete the program in two years, or our accelerated timeline gets you a degree in 14 months (must have specific background experience), including summer coursework. Courses are offered in the evening so you are able to work during the day prior to beginning student teaching. 
  • Gain hands-on experience: You’ll work directly with school districts and gain valuable classroom experience. 

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Special Education Timeline

May-August First Summer: online coursework (coursework added to fall semester if fall start)
September to mid-December Fall semester: on-campus coursework and part-time practicum fieldwork
January to May Spring semester: on-campus coursework
mid-May to August Second Summer: online coursework, complete WFoRT requirement
September to mid-December Fall semester: on-campus coursework and part-time practicum fieldwork
January to May Spring semester: on-campus coursework and full-time student teaching

Semester by Semester Sneak Peak

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Fall Semester 1

Coursework (11 credits)

  • Introduction to Teaching in Special Ed
  • Classroom Management for Inclusive Classrooms
  • Development, Learning and Education Foundations in Special Education

Fieldwork

  • Practicum (part-time)

Spring Semester 1

Coursework (9 credits)

  • Teaching Mathematics in Inclusive Settings
  • Diagnosis, Assessment, and Instructional Planning in Special Education
  • Language and Reading Instruction for Students with Disabilities

Summer Term

Coursework (3 credits)

  • Introduction to Research in Special Education

Fall Semester 2

Coursework (9 credits)

  • Access to the General Curriculum for Students with Disabilities
  • Multicultural Issues in Special Education

Fieldwork

  • Practicum (part-time)

Spring Semester 2

Coursework (12 credits)

  • Methods in Transition and Vocational Education
  • Student Teaching Seminar

Fieldwork

  • Student Teaching (full-time, 15 weeks)

Financial Support Is Available

Gift Aid: School of Education Scholarships

Gift aid comes from scholarships, fellowships, grants, and student awards and is not required to be paid back.

Teacher Pledge

Earn the equivalent of in-state tuition and fees, testing, and licensing costs when you pledge to work at a Wisconsin pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school for three to four years after graduation.

Federal Loans and Financial Planning

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) assists students who may need additional help covering the expenses involved in attending UW–Madison.