The Early Adolescence-Adolescence (EAA) Special Education program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Education. Upon completion of the program and other license requirements, students will be eligible to apply for a Cross-Categorical Special Education Teaching License from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for ages 10-21 (grades 6 through 12). If you already hold a Bachelor’s Degree, you can earn EAA Special Education Teacher Certification as a Post-Baccalaureate student.

Our faculty are recognized leaders in the field of Special Education with expertise in urban teaching, inclusive education, language and literacy and transition. Our program will prepare you to become a powerful, effective educator in a high-demand area.

Requirements

General Education Requirements (GERs)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. Some of the requirements of your program may fulfill the campus GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.  

Admission to Program

Program Core

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Non-Western History or Contemporary Culture and Minority Group Relations (Act 31) statutory requirements can both be met by taking one class.

Professional Requirements

Students may enter the professional courses only after formal admission to the School of Education. The professional program consists of four semesters, including fieldwork/student teaching. Students must have a minimum grade of C or better in all professional coursework.

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It is strongly recommended that students take the reading test required for initial certification at the end of the first year of the professional sequence.

Exceptional Education Degree, EAA Submajor Completion Requirements

• Completion of all admission requirements, granted admission to the EAA program, and completion of EAA professional course sequence;
• Completion of EAA program requirements that also fulfill university GER requirements, including coursework to meet the Act 31 requirement;
• Completion of a minimum of 18 credits of approved content coursework;
• Completion of university GER requirements;
• At least 30 program credits must be earned in residence at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, following admission to the program;
• Completion of a minimum of 120 degree credits; and
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75.

Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Licensure Requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75;
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in professional coursework;
• Completion of DPI Content Knowledge Requirement by earning a 3.0 cumulative GPA in required content coursework, by demonstrating proficiency in a content portfolio, or by passing the PRAXIS II (Middle School: Content Knowledge Test--0146/5146); and
• Passing scores on state-mandated tests (Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test, edTPA).

Post-Baccalaureate Program

(Under revision; please see an advisor for information.)

Advance to Major

Program Admission Requirements

• Achieve a placement level 4 or higher on the English placement test, or complete ENGLISH 102 or an equivalent with a C or better (OWC-A);
• Score of 30 or higher on the Math placement test or MATH 102, MATH 103, MATH 105, MATH 108, MATH 175, or equivalent with a C or better (QL-A);
• Completion of CURRINS 300 (or equivalent), with a C or better;
• Completion of EXCEDUC 300, EXCEDUC 600, or EXCEDUC 605 (or equivalent), with a C or better;
• Completion of ED POL 375 or ED POL 530 (or equivalent), with a C or better;
• Completion of an approved advanced course (at least three credits) with significant written or oral communication component (OWC-B), with a C or better (recommendations: EXCEDUC 560, ENGLISH 215, ENGLISH 240, ENGLISH 201, ENGLISH 206, or equivalent);
• Completion of an approved advanced course (at least three credits) making use of quantitative tools (QL-B), with a C or better (recommendations: MATH 176 or equivalent);
• Completion of a minimum of 45 credits at the time of application;
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5;
• Completion of a program application; and
• Interview.

Benchmarks

Content Knowledge Coursework

A 3.0 cumulative GPA in 6 of the content-focused courses below meets the DPI content knowledge proficiency requirement. 

Student Teaching

Students must complete paperwork in order to be assigned a student teaching placement. To determine your deadline (February or April), visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website.

Undergraduate Advising

Our purpose is to provide collaborative, mentoring relationships which promote educational, career, and professional development. We value a student-centered, holistic, and ethical approach to advising based on strong partnerships with students, faculty and staff, and the larger campus community. We are committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment. We encourage students to be self-reliant through informed decisions and choices based upon dissemination of accurate information. We value our own continuous professional development to enhance the quality of the advising experience.

How to Prepare for an Advising Meeting

• Review your Advisement Report in PAWS.
• Come prepared with questions or topics for discussion.
• Make a list of courses you think you should take.
• Investigate opportunities to prepare for the job you want.
• Keep a record of your academic progress.
• Understand you are ultimately responsible for creating your educational, life, and career plans.
• Maintain honest and open communication with your advisor.
• Take responsibility for choices you make as a student and member of the UW-Milwaukee community.

Scheduling an Appointment

Office of Student Services
Enderis Hall, Room 209
(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu

Graduate Advising

If you are a School of Education graduate student, you may schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor by contacting your faculty advisor directly. Faculty contact information can be found in the Directory. Your faculty advisor will be listed in your PAWS account. 

Honors in the Department of Teaching and Learning

Departmental Honors are granted to students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester.

College of Community Engagement and Professions Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.