Special Education, Unified Special Education K-12 and Elementary/Middle

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's special education, unified special education K-12 and elementary/middle bachelor's degree certifies graduates to teach special education in K-12 classrooms; teach math, science, social studies and language arts in K-9 general education classrooms; and co-teach with another educator in an inclusive classroom. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to work with all learners, including those with communication disorders, autism, intellectual disabilities, sensory and physical disabilities, specific learning disabilities and emotional behavioral disabilities, as well as those who are gifted or learning English as a second language.

Curriculum throughout the major is designed to provide a unified approach in preparing teacher candidates for the diverse K-12 learning environment. Coursework will help you to develop specialized instruction and interventions; make data-based decisions; advocate for early numeracy, mathematics and literacy awareness; provide behavioral support; practice culturally responsive teaching and promote project-based learning and inquiry. In addition to a full semester of student teaching, more than 200 classroom hours will be spent observing and aiding in both special education and general education K-12 classrooms. 

Special education and inclusive practices majors also will have multiple opportunities to take their learning to the next level. Through cultural immersions, collaborative student-faculty research and service-learning experiences, you could participate in programming at the Aldine School District in Houston, Texas; conduct research and author a journal article or present at a local or national conference; or experience the Scottish special education system firsthand in Scotland. These experiences often lead to new ways of thinking and enhanced cultural competency.

As a graduate of the unified special education, K-12 and elementary/middle degree, you'll be prepared to teach any child and any young adult in any learning environment — making you highly qualified and extremely in demand.

Licensure information

Completion of teacher preparation programs at UW-Eau Claire meets licensure requirements in Wisconsin. Our programs may not meet requirements in other states. It is very important that individuals seeking licensure in another state obtain the most recent certification/licensure information directly from the state in which they seek employment. Find contact information on each state licensure office here.

Licensure requirements can change at any time. UW-Eau Claire’s Teacher Education Program Office ensures that our programs meet the requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. If you seek licensure in another state, be aware that their requirements could change at any time.

The United States Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure concerning whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Please note:

1. Obtaining a Wisconsin Teaching License PRIOR to applying for a teaching license in another state is usually helpful and strongly recommended.
2. "Meets requirements" means that a student is eligible for a license with stipulations, typically for 1-3 years, in that state. The stipulations are likely to be specific testing requirements and/or competency through a course or examination. In some instances, additional stipulations might be added.
3. Licensure grade levels vary from state to state. Students who are eligible for a specific grade range in Wisconsin may be licensed for a narrower grade range in another state. Each state determines grade ranges for licensing differently.
4. State licensure requirements may change at any time. Licensure questions should be referred to the Teacher Education Program Office (tep@uwec.edu).

The requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas

The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states: Not Applicable

It has not been determined whether the requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Graduates of the unified special education program will hold licenses in K-12 cross-categorical special education and K-9 general education — including preschool (4K) and kindergarten — and will be well-prepared for a variety of specialized jobs. Our graduates go on to become special education and grade-level teachers in both public and private schools, institutions and agencies. Some grads choose to continue their study in other areas of special education, including child life specialist programs, educational leadership or administration. Alumni also are qualified to engage in research, develop curricular and instructional materials or lead in-service teacher training.

Because of an ongoing shortage of special education and early childhood teachers — and UW-Eau Claire's long history of producing exceptional teachers — our graduates have no problem finding jobs in Wisconsin and beyond.

Curriculum within the unified special education K-12 and elementary/middle major will help you meet the needs of all your students in the least restrictive — and most inclusive — environment possible. 

With a breadth of coursework that includes collaborative methods, inclusive practices and vocational and transitional learning, you will enter your own future classroom ready to meet the learning needs of all children within general education environments, as well as provide additional support through special education services.

What classes do special education, unified special education k-12 and elementary/middle majors take?

Your classes may cover topics like: 

• Developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders 
• Inclusive play and sensory exploration
• Integrated curriculum and inquiry 
• Mild disabilities 
• Communication development 
• School experiences in special and inclusive education 

Learn more about the special education, unified special education K-12 & elementary/middle comprehensive major in the UWEC course catalog.

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