Special Education
For several decades, national efforts have been under way to help people with disabilities reach their full potential. Educators have realized that students with disabilities require specialized instruction, which complements the curricula in general education.
Even though the profession is noble and personally rewarding, it is not always an easy one. A career in special education requires understanding, extensive knowledge, specialized skills and a willingness to serve others. UW-Eau Claire offers outstanding teacher preparation and continuing education paths in special education.
Why study special education?
- If you enjoy assisting individuals with special needs and seeing them progress toward their goals, the field of special education may be for you.
- Prepare for specialized jobs in a variety of settings including schools, mental health facilities, social service agencies, rehabilitation agencies and hospitals.
|
Learn about the advantages of studying special education at UW-Eau Claire. |
Career options
- Teach in a public or private school.
- Work as a houseparent or home support staff.
- Administer special education programs or services for children and youth with disabilities.
- Conduct research.
- Develop curriculum and supervise teachers.
- Develop instructional materials.
- Prepare teachers or conduct in-service training activities.
Undergraduate programs
The UW-Eau Claire department of special education offers degree programs in the areas of cognitive disabilities, early childhood special education, emotional/behavioral disabilities and learning disabilities, which lead to the following teacher licensure areas:
Major
- Early Childhood Special Education (birth to 9 years)
Combination programs
- Learning Disabilities, Middle Childhood through Adolescence and Regular Education, Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence
- Cognitive Disabilities, Middle Childhood through Adolescence, and Learning Disabilities, Middle Childhood through Adolescence
- Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities, MiddleChildhood through Adolescence and Regular Education, Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence
Minor
- Learning Disabilities (Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence or Early Adolescence through Adolescence)
High school preparation
- Volunteer, paid or service-learning experiences with individuals with disabilities are essential.
- Sign language and first aid also are beneficial.
- Students planning to major in special education are strongly encouraged to take additional courses in writing/composition and a course in general psychology and anatomy/physiology.
- All students who enroll at UW-Eau Claire are required to have a minimum of 17 college preparatory units including:
– 4 years of English (at least 3 composition and literature)
– 2 years of a single foreign language
– 3 years of math (algebra, geometry, 1 advanced college preparatory math)
– 3 years of natural science
– 3 years of social science (1 must be world or American history)
– 2 additional units in the areas already mentioned or other academic areas
Freshman course work (sample first year)
Fall Semester
- Engl 110, Introduction to College Writing, 5 credits
- Math 203, Mathematics for Elementary/Middle Teachers I, 3 credits
- Sped 200, Introduction to Special Education, 3 credits
- Biol 100, General Biology, 4 credits
- Edmt 285, Computers in Education, 1 credit
Spring Semester
- CJ 202, Fundamentals of Speech, 3 credits
- Sped 205, School and Community Experience in Special Education, 3 credits
- Art 106, Introduction to the Visual Arts (Studio), 2 credits
- Humanities general education course, 3 credits
- Social sciences general education course, 3 credits
- Physical education course, 1 credit
For more information
For more information about UW-Eau Claire's programs in special education, contact: |
For more information about campus including
costs, housing, admission requirements and tours: |
