SPECIAL EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree Program
Prepare for a person-centered teaching career.
Many Special Education programs limit licensure to a grade level or a specific level of ability. At UW-Whitewater, you’ll earn a Special Education bachelor’s degree with breadth and depth.
Our program is cross-categorical, meaning that it prepares future special education teachers to work with students from kindergarten to adult, with mild disabilities to severe and profound disabilities, and in inclusive to intensive self-contained educational placements.
This bachelor’s program can be pursued in-person or fully online.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
UW-Whitewater credentials more cross-categorical Special Education teachers than any other program in the state.
And we are the winners of the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award.
100% of our recent graduates are employed in their field or enrolled in graduate school (2018-19).
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Special Education, a program unique in the state with its mission to prepare professionals to become change agents in their support of individuals with disabilities and their families, has been named a recipient of the 2024 Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award.
Why study Special Education at UW-Whitewater?
With our inclusive curriculum, dedicated faculty, long-standing reputation for teacher preparation, and award winning programs, UW-Whitewater is among the best colleges for Special Education majors in Wisconsin.
As our department also houses four graduate degree programs and seven graduate certificate programs, you’ll be surrounded by faculty members and students committed to researching and advancing the field.
Here are a few other advantages to earning your degree in Special Education at UW-Whitewater:
- Access to the Wisconsin Instructional Technology Resource Institute, which houses computer labs, virtual reality experiences, and more
- Help from a dedicated librarian who specializes in education
- An array of program-specific scholarships available to incoming and current students
- Opportunity to participate in research under the guidance of special education faculty
- Field experience or student teaching abroad
What our students do
Gain first-hand teaching experience in local schools
Pursue research with faculty mentors
Volunteer in the local community
Serve as agents of change
Field study and student teaching
Special Education majors complete at least three fieldwork experiences before their final student teaching semester. This allows students to actively engage in classrooms through observation, teach in inclusive and intensive educational placements, coteach, and gain practical experience in a specialty area, such as intellectual disabilities or emotional/behavioral disorders (learning disabilities, autism, and dyslexia).
Student teaching, also called directed teaching, is a semester-long experience in a classroom.
Campus and community involvement
Our Special Education students have a variety of opportunities to interact with classmates or volunteer on campus or in the local community.
Special Education majors often join UW-Whitewater organizations such as:
Aspiring Educators of Wisconsin
Provides educational and social opportunities to future teachers, and is a branch of both the National Education Association and the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
Best Buddies
As part of this national organization, our chapter matches college students with people with intellectual disabilities for one-on-one friendships.
CARE: Creative and Resourceful Educators
Advocates for the community of young children and their families through education, fundraising and service.
LIFE: Learning is for Everyone
The LIFE program offers a complete college experience to young adults (ages 18 to 25) who have an intellectual disability. Participants gain independent living skills and prepare for meaningful employment experiences. Special Education majors have an opportunity to work and engage with students in the LIFE program.
What our graduates do
Teachers
Administrators
Program directors
Disability specialist
Mackenzie Edinger has always wanted to have a place where people with disabilities felt equal and valued. At her company, her goal is for 50% of the staff to be people with disabilities. “I wanted to make sure to make that opportunity available for those who would like to work here,” she said.
Jobs in Special Education: Career success
Most of our graduates become special education teachers, and many pursue graduate degrees. With their advanced training, these students could work in special education careers such as:
- Autism specialist
- Behavioral specialist
- Board-certified behavior analyst
- Curriculum specialist
- Dyslexia interventionist
- Educational diagnostician
- Learning support teacher
- Program director
- School administrator
- School counselor
- Transition specialist
Kara Blangin, from Bartlett, Illinois, earned a BSE in special education and was accepted to graduate school at Northern Illinois University pursuing a Master of Science in Education specializing in orientation and mobility in DeKalb, Illinois.
"I'd like to acknowledge Lauren Zepp for believing in me, James Collins for challenging me, Sara Athorp for being understanding and caring, Barbara Hilliker for helping me through difficult content, and Courtney Wilt for helping me realize there are so many more possibilities for my career path."
Julia Marchioretto, from Cary, Illinois, earned a BSE in special education and was hired as a special education teacher with The Menta Education Group in Woodstock, Illinois.
"I'm proud of being a camp counselor for the Future Teacher Program and the I Want to Be a Teacher Camp at UW-Whitewater. I'd like to acknowledge Lauren Zepp for supporting me through my college career and future as a special educator."
Hannah Brenner, from Kenosha, Wisconsin, earned a BSE in special education and was hired as a special education teacher at Northside Intermediate School in Milton, Wisconsin.
"Eric Johnson was my professor for multiple special education courses and he has shown me the kind of teacher I aspire to be. His kindness, consideration and understanding meant a great deal to myself as well as my peers."
Our faculty
The UW-Whitewater Special Education faculty have a range of educational and clinical experience. Among the faculty are board-certified analysts, reading and dyslexia specialists, and recipients of various teaching, advising and publishing awards.
Our faculty members have research and professional interest in areas such as:
- Autism
- Co-teaching
- Diversity and inclusion
- Learning strategies
- Person-centered planning
- Reading interventions
- School Reform
- Universal design for learning
Want to learn more about earning your degree in Special Education at UW-Whitewater? education@uww.edu »
UW-Whitewater offers the following Special Education undergraduate degrees:
This program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education in Cross Categorical Special Education [PDF].
Your class schedule will likely include:
- Characteristics and Methods for Autism and Neurodiversity
- Characteristics and Methods for Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
- Characteristics and Methods for Intellectual Disabilities
- Characteristics and Methods for Learning Disabilities
- Behavior Management for the Inclusive Classroom
- Collaboration for Co-Teaching
- Special Education Law
Minors:
- Adaptive Education Licensure (for education majors)
- Disability in Community, School and Society
To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater application for admission and indicate your interest in earning a degree in education.
