Graduate Faculty

James M. Geidner, Assistant Professor
Rhoda Robinson, Associate Professor

Special Education Program Description

The M.S.E.-Special Education degree program is designed for licensed teachers and other professionals who wish to pursue graduate work in the field of special education. The program is appropriate for professionals working with people with disabilities, as well as elementary, secondary, or K-12 teachers. For licensed teachers, the program can lead to special education certification for licensure.

An action research project must be completed prior to being granted the M.S.E.-Special Education degree. A minimum of 30 graduate credits including a minimum of 500 hours of working in an educational setting with children who have special needs must be completed before the action research project is undertaken.

The M.S.E. Special Education degreeis designed for practicing teachers and other professionals who want to increase their knowledge about and improve their skills for working with students who have special needs. The degree without certification for licensure is specifically designed for regular education teachers who have students with special needs included in their classrooms and wish to gain new knowledge and skills for working with these students.

The M.S.E. Special Education degree with Certification for Licensure is designed for practicing teachers who want to work directly with children who have special needs. Preparation is included for working in both resource rooms and collaboratively with regular education teachers.

Admission Requirements & Removal from Program

Admission Requirements:

In addition to the requirements for entry to UW-Superior Graduate Studies, applicants for admission to the MSE Special Education degree program must submit:

1. three (3) letters of reference (one or two academic letters from post-secondary instructors and one or two letters from employers) that speak to the candidate's ability to succeed in graduate school;
2. a typewritten Autobiographical Essay (1,000 word maximum) outlining professional goals;
3. a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution; and
4. a current teaching license if getting certified for licensure in Special Education, or a criminal background check.

Removal From M.S.E. Special Education Program
Students can be removed from the MSE Special Education Degree Programs. Any violation occurring that is outlined in the University of Wisconsin System Code Chapters 14 and 17 respectively are grounds for disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. In addition, students can be removed or expelled from the program based on grades and violations of the code of ethics for Special Education. No grade lower than a B- counts toward degree completion. Also, students must be aware of and responsive to life circumstances beyond academic preparation that would exclude them from licensure/certification (e.g., legal history, and/or past professional disbarment).

Master of Science in Education - Special Education Requirements

30 to 44 credits required

Core Component courses (12 credits required):

Methods Component courses (15 credits required):

Research Component courses (6 credits required):

Certification Component courses (4-11 credits required):

Students seeking only the M.S.E. Special Education degree must complete a minimum of 24 credits from courses in the Core and Methods components, and 6 credits from the research component.

Students seeking the M.S.E. Special Education degree with Certification for Licensure must complete a minimum of 27 credits in the Core and Methods components, 6 credits in the research component, and a minimum of 7 credits in the Certification Component