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Special Education and Inclusive Practices Majors

When your career success is defined by the success you can create for others, that’s a magical thing. Pursuing a degree in any area of special education is met with challenges, yet provides even greater rewards. The path you choose may have you working with young children, young adults or somewhere in between. The opportunities are endless and the choice is yours!

The special education and inclusive practices department offers the following programs:

  1. Adaptive Music Program type: Certificate Delivery: On Campus Campus: Eau Claire Campus

    Our adaptive music certificate is an add-on certificate program for music education majors looking to become more informed and inclusive in their teaching.

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  2. Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Program type: Graduate Certificate Delivery: Online

    This 15-credit online certificate program is for those who are ready to step into a leadership role as a director of special education and pupil services.

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  3. Interprofessional Early Intervention Program type: Certificate Delivery: On Campus Campus: Eau Claire Campus

    Learn how to better understand diverse learners and relevant, in-demand skills for creating an inclusive and supportive classroom.

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  4. Master of Education in Professional Development, ME-PD Program type: Graduate Program Delivery: Hybrid Campus: Eau Claire Campus

    The master of education in professional development is a blended weekend and online 30-credit cohort program designed specifically for the professional development of educators.

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  5. Special Education, Unified Special Education K-12 and Elementary/Middle, BS Program type: Major Delivery: On Campus Campus: Eau Claire Campus

    The special education, unified special education K-12 and elementary/middle K-9 bachelor's degree certifies graduates to teach both special education in K-12 classrooms and general education in K-9 classrooms. With this degree, graduates have the choice to teach in either special education or general education classrooms. Graduates are also uniquely qualified to co-teach with another educator in an inclusive classroom.

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  6. Special Education, Unified Special Education K-12 and Elementary/Middle, Online, Teaching (SETT: Transition to Teaching Pathway) Program type: Major Delivery: Online Campus: Eau Claire Campus

    This is a route for nontraditional undergraduate and other adult learners to complete a preparation program and become practicing teachers. The end result of this pathway is eligibility for licensure in both 4k-9 Elementary/Middle Education and 4k-12 Special Education.

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View all UWEC academic programs

Rigorous program + talented students = top-notch teachers

If you have a strong desire to advocate for all learners, to make success and achievement more accessible at any ability level, and to create stronger communities by equipping every student with skills and confidence to become engaged citizens, a UW-Eau Claire degree in special education and inclusive practices will set you well on that path.

With a nationwide shortage of special educators, early educators and early childhood special educators, no matter which major you choose, your skills and expertise will be in high demand. And with both majors allowing you to teach both special education and regular education, our graduates have no problem finding jobs. In fact, our Blugolds are highly sought after by districts and administrators who understand the incredible levels of school-based experiences our students receive, and the impact our Blugolds have already had in local communities prior to graduation.  

The curriculum throughout the special education and inclusive practices department is designed to be efficient and effective, with most students graduating in four years. Keeping in mind the COEHS mission, Blugold special education students receive teacher preparation rooted in the principles of cultural competency, diversity, technology and theories of collaborative leadership, which results in dual certification. Educators form the bedrock of communities, and our graduates leave here ready to enable all Pre-K-12 students to achieve their goals. 

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