Degree Completion Cross-Categorical Special Education, BA

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Edgewood’s Cross-Categorical Special Education Degree Completion Program is for those interested in teaching Elementary, Middle, or High School Special Education, with licensure in intellectual disabilities, emotional disabilities, and learning disabilities. The bachelor’s degree completion pathway is designed for returning adult undergraduate students who seek to finish their degree and pursue licensed employment in a school district, including those such as paraprofessionals who are currently employed in a school.

Classes are scheduled to align with the needs of working adults. General education courses in accelerated, hybrid, and virtual options with minimal on-campus requirements provide flexibility for students who work during the day. Courses in the major are offered in 8-week sessions through an asynchronous format, which enable students to access class materials based on your schedule. Classes have a planned structure of lessons and submission deadlines, but no mandatory whole-class meetings in real time.

The initial licensure sequence is a major that can be completed in as few as 39 credits, including nine courses, two supervised clinical field experiences, and a supervised full-time student teaching semester.

Program Requirements

After the completion of sixty general education and elective credits, students can begin taking courses toward licensure in the major. Within the major, the initial license sequence pairs foundations coursework with teaching methods classes, along with developmental pre-student teaching practicum placements and a full semester of supervised student teaching.

Completion of this program is contingent on fulfilling the requirements of the major course sequence for licensure with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, positive clinical and instructor evaluations, demonstrated growth through practicums and student teaching, a passing score on either the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) or the DPI-approved Edgewood College Alternative FoRT Reading Portfolio (see below), and successful passage of the teacher performance assessment in the final semester of the licensure sequence.

DPI-approved Edgewood College Alternative FoRT Reading Portfolio

Successfully completing the approved FoRT Alternative requires that candidates pass DCEDU 366 (CCSE Reading Literacy I) and DCEDU 368 (CCSE Reading Literacy II) with a 3.0 grade point or above in each course. Students who earn a lower grade in one of those courses will need to retake that course. Students must complete a reading portfolio in each course documenting proficient ratings in Reading Assessment and Reading Planning and Instruction. During pre-student teaching practicum placements, students will be observed implementing reading instruction and assessment, and will receive reading coaching and feedback from a licensed Reading Specialist.

Clinical Experiences

These clinical hours fulfill degree completion and certification requirements for licensure as a teacher. Clinical evaluations are aligned to the Wisconsin Educator Standards. For candidates who are already employed by a school, in many instances that school can serve as the clinical site for pre-student teaching practicum placements, providing strong connections between work roles, fieldwork, and coursework. The Office of Clinical Experiences coordinates practicum placement, observation, and assessment, and can be contacted via email at clinical@edgewood.edu.

DCEDU 250 - Initial Practicum, DC Programs Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 0
DCEDU 350 - Advanced Level Practicum DC Program Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 0
DCEDU 453 - CCSE Student Teaching Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 6

Required Courses

DCEDU 360 - Lang/Communication Development CCSE Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
DCEDU 363 - Development&Disability Child&Youth Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
DCEDU 365 - Diversity Transition Family Process Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
DCEDU 366 - CCSE Reading Literacy I Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
DCEDU 401 - Teacher as Inquirer Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
DCEDU 412 - Assessment & Analysis of Disability Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
DCEDU 414 - CCSE Methods and Materials Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
DCEDU 451 - Reflections on Teaching Practice Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 2

Degree Completion Optional Additional Licensing Sequences

Candidates seeking preparation to work as licensed teachers with multilingual students may pursue optional additional licensure in English as a Second language (ESL) or ESL/Bilingual Education (combined). This course sequence is offered in two possible pathways: an online format with synchronous whole-class meetings in real time, or traditional on-campus undergraduate courses.

Please note: A program prerequisite for bilingual education coursework is the demonstration of language proficiency on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) exam. Please see your advisor for details.

Online Option (eight-week session courses with three synchronous whole-class web video meetings in real time):

ESL Licensure Courses, Online Synchronous:

DCEDU 203 : Paradigms of ESL/Bilingual Education (Summer) (Meets with EDU 630)
DCEDU 307 : Second Language Acquisition Content (Fall, Session 2) (Meets with EDU 631)
DCEDU 403 : ESL Curriculum Design & Assessment (Summer) (Meets with EDU 635)

Bilingual Licensure, Online Synchronous:
Add DCEDU 408 : Bilingual Methods and Assessment (Fall or Spring, Online Format)

On-Campus Option (full semester, 15-week traditional undergraduate courses):

ESL Licensure Courses, On-Campus:

EDU 203  : Multilingual Learners and Spaces (Fall, full semester)
EDU 307  : Second Language Acquisition (Spring, full semester)
EDU 403  : ESL Methods and Assessment (Fall, full semester)

Bilingual Licensure:
Add EDU 408 : Bilingual Methods and Assessment (Fall or Spring, Online Format)