Special Education, Unified Special Education k-12 and Elementary/Middle, Online, Teaching (Transition to Teaching Pathway)

Transition to Teaching is a pathway to completing UW-Eau Claire’s unified elementary and middle special education program. 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-12 Special Education and 4k-9 Elementary/Middle Education.

Adult learners who are paraprofessionals/educational assistants or otherwise employed in school settings are excellent candidates for this pathway. Approximately 30 credits of general education/liberal arts coursework or an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree is needed to be eligible for this pathway. Other adults who want to make a career change and who meet these credit requirements are also good candidates.

This pathway is offered in an accelerated format online and can be completed within two years plus student teaching. For most participants, student teaching can be completed on the job as an intern or as the teacher of record with a License with Stipulations.

Courses start in the May session of summer. You would take courses for two years (summer, fall, spring) and then have a semester of student teaching. For many students student teaching is a paid experience, as either an intern or the teacher of record with a License with Stipulations.

You will be part of a cohort that takes two short courses at a time during the school year. Courses are after the school day and are offered as remote learning with online components. Each course meets 1.5 hours per week synchronously online with the remainder of the time asynchronous to meet your own individual schedule. Some coursework is also completed during the summer.

Course sequence

Summer 1 (Semester 1, 3-9 credits): Introduction to Typical Development 

• PSYC 260 Ed Psych (3 credits, may substitute with prior Ed Psych, Lifespan or Child Growth/Dev)  
• ES 385 Social Foundations of Human Interactions (3 credits, may substitute with prior diversity course)  
• CSD 257 Normal Communication Development (3 credits)  

Fall 1 (Semester 2, 10-12 credits): Introduction to Diverse Learners in Schools  

• SEIP 340 Introduction to Mild Disabilities (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• SEIP 208/SEIP 499 School Experiences in Special and Inclusive Education (1-3 credits based on prior experience, Quarter 1)  
• SEIP 219 Intro to Developmental Disabilities & Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits, Quarter 2)  
• UEM 324 Language & Cultural Diversity (3 credits, Quarter 2)  
• SEIP 200 Intro to Diverse Learners (waived- module in SEIP 208 and components in SEIP 340 & SEIP 219)  

Spring 1 (Semester 3, 12 credits): Foundations of Special Education and Inclusive Early Learning

• SEIP 331 Special Education Planning & Procedures (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• UEM 301 Inclusive Early Literacy & Reading (PK-9) (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• SEIP 306 Behavior Analysis for Teachers (3 credits, Quarter 2)  
• UEC 322 Play and Sensory Pedagogy (3 credits, Quarter 2)  

Summer 2 (Semester 4, 9 credits): Assessment and Development

• UEC 424 Early Numeracy & Mathematics (PK-3^rd) (3 credits)  
• SEIP 401 Assessment (3 credits)  
• PSYC 332 Psychology of the Adolescent (3 credits)  

Fall 2 (Semester 5, 12 credits): Advanced Special Education Pedagogy and Application  

• SEIP 404 Pre-Student Teaching in Special Education (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• SEIP 431 Reading/Writing Remediation (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• SEIP 458 Advanced Behavior Interventions/Assessment (3 credits, Quarter 2)  
• SEIP 419 Advanced Interventions: Developmental Disabilities & Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits, Quarter 2)  

Spring 2 (Semester 6, 13 credits): Inclusive Pedagogy and Application 

• UEM 407 Inclusive Education Practicum (1 credit, full semester)  
• UEM 436 Inclusive Math Methods (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• UEM 425 Integrated Curriculum & Inquiry (3 credits, Quarter 1)  
• UEM 433 Middle Level Language Arts & Literature (3 credits, Quarter 2)  
• UEM 438 Inclusive Science/Social Studies Methods 4-9 (3 credits, Quarter 2)  

Summer 3 (Semester 7, 9 credits): Secondary Education and Collaboration 

• SEIP 439 Secondary Methods in Special Education (3 credits)  
• SEIP 418 Transition Planning & Secondary Special Education (3 credits)   
• SEIP 402 Collaboration for Student Success (3 credits)  

Fall 3 (Semester 8, 3-12 credits): Applying Knowledge through Student Teaching and Internship 

Every student will complete student teaching. There are multiple formats and credit requirements for the student teaching experience based on prior degrees, prior licensure, and the school site placement and employment details. It will be important to work with your advisor to register for the correct student teaching coursework.

Note: Degree-seeking students will need a total of 120 credits to complete an undergraduate degree. These credits will be fulfilled using the prior coursework you bring with you and the credits from the coursework included in this sequence. It will be important to work with your Transition to Teaching advisor to individually determine how your prior coursework meets requirements from this sequence and what coursework will be needed to complete your degree.

Go to the UW System application, and follow the directions to provide your individual information and academic background.

Here is some information to assist with particular portions of the application:

• Select: Nontraditional Student
• Select: Transfer Student OR Apply as a Second Degree Student
• Apply for summer
• Choose your program: Select: Special Education, Unified Special Education k-12 & Elementary/Middle, Online, Teaching
• Can skip “organizations”
• When you are prompted to write an essay/response, type in only “Transition to Teaching”
• Request official transcripts from the institution(s) where you earned your prior degree or credits. Your transcripts should be sent electronically directly from the college/university through their secured vendor (i.e. National Student Clearinghouse, Credential Solutions, Docufide, Parchment, etc.). If necessary, they may be mailed to this address:

Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
Flesch Family Welcome Center
127 Roosevelt Ave
PO Box 4004 Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

• When prompted, upload your resume
• Pay the application fee

Applying for Financial Aid

Information about financial aid is found on UWEC's financial aid webpage.

For support and help with questions, please contact:

Dr. Karen Potter
Academic Director, Transition to Teaching
Department of Special Education and Inclusive Practices
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
Office: Centennial Hall 3723
715-836-5827
potterk@uwec.edu

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