A major goal of our program is to prepare teachers with a commitment to the diverse group of students with disabilities who are served in schools and community settings. Our intent is to prepare teachers who are versed in both the practical and the visionary. Our certification programs lead to a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) teaching license. Students who already have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a satisfactory academic record may apply to our Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Program. This program is designed for individuals who are new to teaching or for those teachers who want to add another certification to their credentials.
Degrees Offered
This is a teacher certificate program, not a degree program. Many students also apply to the master's program and complete year two as a graduate student working toward an M.S. in Exceptional Education.
Certification Areas
The Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Program in Exceptional Education offers four focus areas: - Early Childhood (birth to age 8)
- Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence (ages 6-12)
- Early Adolescence Through Adolescence (ages 10-21)
- Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (full age range)
Teacher Certification
Students seeking initial teacher certification must apply for a license which is granted by the DPI. Students must also meet eight new program standards that are specific to UWM but linked to Wisconsin teacher standards. Each student will be required to keep a portfolio of evidence to document progress toward these standards. As of Aug. 31, 2004, the state of Wisconsin will require a content test covering the subject matter that the teacher is expected to teach.
Unique Program Features
- Professional Blocks
The professional component of the program is delivered in blocks of courses which are taken together each semester. Each block builds upon the previous one.
- Field Based With Urban Partnerships
Participants are enrolled in structured experiences within the schools throughout the professional blocks. Emphasis is placed on teaching in urban schools and within collaborative situations.
- Internship Opportunities
The Department has an on-going partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in which students in certain certification programs can apply to work as intern teachers while earning certification. Interns are teachers-of-record and have full teaching responsibilities. They earn a beginning teacher's salary and receive the support of full-time MPS mentor teachers who are closely linked to the certification programs. The number of intern positions available is determined by MPS need.
- Student Cohorts and Faculty Teams
Participants are admitted into a group of about 25 students. These cohorts of students move through the program together. This collaboration extends to the program with faculty/instructors working closely together in teams to provide an integrated set of learning experiences.
- Linking Seminars
Required seminars are scheduled each year to promote inquiry, reflection, analysis and integration. This ensures a connection among course content, field experiences and the program's core values.
- Performance Assessment and Portfolio Development
Each semester, student progress is carefully reviewed to assure development of teaching expertise. Program blocks have designation "projects-in-practice" that students must complete successfully and standards students must meet to progress to the next block. These are integrated into a final showcase portfolio.
Requirements - Undergraduate GPA of 2.5
- Passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)
- Successful completion of the application and interview process
For more information:
Phone: 414-229-5251
E-mail: EXED@soe.uwm.edu | | 
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