Spring semester application deadline is December 31st.
Applications received after deadline with be considered based upon availability. Please call to inquire.
New classes start each January, May & September.
The program approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction consists of 15 credits (three semesters of four months each) including:
- 8 credits of face-to-face instruction (10 weekends)
- 7 credits of web-based coursework and portfolio development
- 20 hour pre-student teaching experience
In addition, each student will be required to student teach for one semester once course work has been completed and competency has been established.
The normal time period for the completion of this program, including student teaching, is 18 months.
Current Wisconsin DPI Approval Letter
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree with GPA of 2.75 or above in education or a field closely related to education such as: Mental Health, Health, Social Work/Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Nursing, Vocational Rehabilitation or others dependant upon related experience.
- Current DPI license or permit as a teacher or a substitute teacher, or have been issued a DPI permit allowing them to teach in an area of “high need”.
- Applicants who do not possess any preK-12 DPI teaching license will be expected to provide evidence of 2 or more years of related child based experiences (Head Start, Certified Day Care, At-Risk tutoring, youth counseling, Juvenile Treatment facilities or other youth oriented vocation). A minimum of 2 years of educationally relevant experiences. Experiences in a preK-12 setting are preferred.
- Praxis I General Knowledge (must be successfully completed before end of first semester) & Praxis II Content Area Knowledge Test(s)(must be successfully completed prior to student teaching). For test dates and fees see: http://www.ets.org/praxis/prxwi.html
- Criminal Background Check with no conviction or plea-bargain for crimes which may impact school children and/or the maintenance of a safe and healthy school.
- Applicants are encouraged to provide as much evidence as possible to support their qualifications as potential program participants. Please provide the names of employers/supervisors who can be contacted by 10SPED to assist in the determination of eligibility for the program.
- Transcripts that show some evidence of special education coursework are preferred. In the absence of such coursework, classes that are educationally oriented and approach the number of credits required for a "major" degree requirement will be considered.
Waiver of Admission Requirements
Only the following waivers of these requirements will be considered in response to your written request for a waiver.
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 may be appealed if you have graduate work showing a higher GPA or other more recent evidence of likely success in the program.
- Two year experience requirement may be appealed if your degree was awarded after you spent at least two years on-the-job in your field of study.
- The emergency or substitute permit requirement may be appealed if you have worked or are working as an aide and hold the appropriate DPI license.
Program
10 SPED has been approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for training teachers in Special Education. Two tracks are available, one for those who currently teach but are not fully licensed, and one for those who have never taught but hold degrees in related fields. Each qualifies graduates for the same license issued by the DPI to all other qualified college graduates from approved college programs.
Synopsis of 10SPED CourseworkStandard Special Education Licensure
Candidates who are licensed in regular education, hold emergency licenses in Special Education, or are currently employed in a school district with a DPI permit to teach are eligible for admission into this program. Successful completion results in certification as a Special Education teacher in Cross Categorical or Early Childhood Special Education.
Licensure By Equivalency
Candidates who are not licensed to teach but have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field and have two years of professional work experience may qualify for the “Licensure by Equivalency” program.
Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will be fully licensed as Initial Educators certified in Cross Categorical or Early Childhood Special Education.
| Program | Standard Special Education Licensure | Certification by Equivalency |
|---|---|---|
Degree Required |
Appropriate bachelor's degree (official transcript required) and GPA of 2.75 |
|
|
Work Experience |
Not applicable |
Two years |
|
Tests Required |
Passing Scores on Praxis I & Praxis II in Middle Childhood to Adolescence Specialist (#20146) or Early Childhood Specialist (#10014) |
|
|
License/Permit Required |
License to teach in any educational field |
Substitute Teacher Permit or Emergency License ($100 DPI fee) |
|
Program of Study |
Face-to-face and web-based courses including 20 hours of monitoring. |
|
|
Portfolio |
Evaluated by Program Rubric based on 10 Wisconsin Teaching Standards adapted for Special Education |
|
|
Student Teaching |
As required by Administrative Rule |
One Semester fulltime |
|
Follow-up Required |
Professional Development Plan evaluated by team over 3 to 5 years for five year Professional Educator License |
|
Fees (Subject to Change without Notice)
Semester I - $3,505 ($3,399.85 - discount of 3% - if paid in full in cash by the 20th of the month prior to semester start). Payment plan - $700 deposit ($500 if applying for financial aid) due on acceptance to program and 4 payments of $701.25 on or before the 5th of each month of the semester.
Semester II - $2,925 ($2,837.25 - discount of 3% - if paid in full in cash by the 20th of the month prior to semester start). Payment plan - $731.25 paid on or before 5th of each month of the semester.
Semester III - $2,345 ($2,274.65 - discount of 3% - if paid in full in cash by the 20th of the month prior to semester start). Payment plan - $586.25 paid on or before 5th of each month of the semester.
Student Teaching - $1,750 (fee subject to change) plus cost (if any) of cooperating teacher. Must be paid prior to student teaching. No cash discount. Please contact us for details.
*There is an additional fee of $100 for initial enrollees in the EC program to cover the cost of an EC assessment workshop. Fees include fifteen graduate credits from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota awarded upon successful completion of the program & payment in full. St. Mary’s will accept 12 graduate credits toward their Masters program.
Financial Assistance
Many programs offer educational loans for certification programs include Wells Fargo Bank.
Teachers who work in low income schools may be eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
Participants enrolled in Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Master in Education program can apply for financial aid. Those applying for the SMU Masters in Education and FAFSA loans are encouraged to start the application process immediately by applying directly to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota even before applying to 10SPED for enrollment), since loan processing takes several months. Please keep Norda, 10SPED apprised of the progress of your application to Saint Mary’s and your loan processing. Additional Documentation, such as two more letters of reference and a separate copy of transcripts will be required by SMU beyond application materials you submit to 10SPED for admission. For more information on FAFSA when applying as a SMU Masters student, see Financial Aid FAQ.
As a displaced worker you may be eligible for financial assistance from a program in your area.
Drilling members and retirees from active duty, National Guard, or Reserves may be eligible for financial support through Troops to Teachers. Contact: Steve Campbell, Wisconsin Department of Veteran's Affairs, 800-947-8387 steve.campbell@dva.state.wi.us
To apply:
Send the following items to: 10SPED, P.O. Box 867, Hayward, WI 54843
- cover letter identifying desired special education area,
- resume detailing work experience,
- transcripts (two original transcripts required if you are admitted),
- scores from Praxis I General Knowledge (must be successfully completed before end of first semester) & Praxis II Content Area Knowledge Test(s)(must be successfully completed prior to student teaching).
- two letters of reference about your experience with children and young adults in an educational setting.
10SPED | P.O. Box 867 | Hayward WI 54843 | Phone: 715-934-2999 | Fax: 715-934-2998 | email 10SPED |