May 31, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED]

Special Education, B.S.


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         Special Education, B.S.: 4-year sequence   

Introduction

The B.S. in Special Education prepares teachers to be reflective practitioners who demonstrate knowledge, skills and dispositions relative to planning and preparation, the classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities. The UW-Stout framework is compatible with the national Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) knowledge and skill base for all beginning special education teachers. Special education is founded on the philosophy of advocacy for persons with exceptionalities and their families, and of embracing and teaching to individual differences and needs. Special educators must know the characteristics of the learners they serve, possess the skills to design effective interventions and the dispositions to practice within the standards established by CEC.

Curriculum of the program prepares teachers of students with intellectual, emotional/behavioral, and learning disabilities in elementary, middle and high school settings. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work with students with ID, E/ BD, and LD.

The Special Education program includes:

a) Customized Instruction (CI) online program specifically designed for non-traditional working adults.

b) On-campus program specifically designed for the traditional first year and transfer students.

General Requirements Bachelor of Science Degree

Total for graduation

120 credits  

General Education

40 credits

Professional Education Studies

22 credits  

Major Studies

58 credits  

Note: This program is designed to meet the requirements for licensure in the State of Wisconsin. If you reside outside of Wisconsin, please note that UW-Stout cannot confirm whether this program (or course) meets requirements for professional licensure in your state. Students from other states will need to contact their state regarding licensure requirements.  See the following website for additional information. 

Note for CI Students: As part of the CI Special Education Program, a full semester of student teaching is required for recommendation for licensure. A university supervisor will provide guidance and support during student teaching. Because of the requirements for this supervised student teaching experience, our program is available to those within a driving distance from campus. A driving distance can be interpreted as all of Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota or within 350 miles of campus.

Program Requirements


Racial and Ethnic Studies (6 credits*)


Three credits must be selected from RES-A.

Global Perspective (6 credits*)


Complete 6 credits of global perspective (GLP) approved courses, including GLP-approved instructor-led study abroad courses, or complete a program of university-approved work or university-approved study abroad not led by UW-Stout instructors.

General Education (40 credits)


Analytic Reasoning and Natural Sciences (10 credits)


Arts and Humanities (6 credits)


Remaining 3 credtis can be selected from areas including art history/music & theater appreciation, creative/performing arts, foreign language and culture, history, and philosophy.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)


Two or more areas including anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology and sociology.

Cross-disciplinary Issues (3 credits)


Courses must be from the list of approved cross-disciplinary issues courses.

Social Responsibility and Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)


Selectives (3 credits)


Courses/credits may be selected from any category to meet the 40-credit requirement.

Major Studies (80 credits)


Note(s):


* Required courses with a grade point of 2.0 (C) or better. Courses in which a student earns less than the required 2.0 must be retaken and at least a 2.0 earned prior to student teaching.

** Benchmark I completed and Admission to the School of Education required prior to enrollment

Teacher Education Requirements


Students proceed through a series of three benchmarks as they move toward licensure.

Benchmark I: Acceptance into Teacher Education


Teacher education students will begin fulfilling their requirements for Benchmark I as they complete their first 30 credits. Detailed information is online at: https://www.uwstout.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-education/benchmark-information

Benchmark II: Application for Student Teaching


Benchmark II must be completed prior to student teaching. Detailed information is online at: https://www.uwstout.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-education/benchmark-information

  • Complete electronic portfolio
  • Receive satisfactory portfolio assessment by faculty
  • Pass Content Knowledge Exam
  • Receive clearance through an updated background check
  • Attain a 2.75
  • Complete a satisfactory tuberculosis test
  • Submit copies of resume to the School of Education prior to student teaching
  • Complete Application for Student Teaching form

Benchmark III: Program completion


Benchmark III must be completed before you can be recommended for licensure. Detailed information is online at: https://www.uwstout.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-education/benchmark-information

  • Complete electronic portfolio and receive a basic or higher proficiency level of assessment
  • Complete all program coursework
  • Meet all program-specific requirements
  • Student teach at three levels: infant/toddler/preschool, kindergarten and primary.
  • Receive a satisfactory student teaching assessment

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