Program Overview

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Elementary Education and Special Education, BSE

The Elementary Education and Special Education (EESE) program is a unique opportunity for students to pursue licensure in both Elementary Education and Special Education. Successful graduates of the program are certified in general education at the grade levels of K-9 (including eligibility for 4K), and Special Education in grades K-12 (through age 21).

Program Description

The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education has a long-standing mission of preparing future leaders who actively improve the lives of people with disabilities. The EESE program is designed to prepare future educators who will promote equity, inclusivity, and accessibility within both general and special education classrooms. Graduates of this program are equipped to create inclusive learning environments where they will holistically identify and address biases and barriers to learning, and strive to meet the needs of all students.

Program Structure

The Elementary Education and Special Education program is a rigorous four-semester course sequence that includes coursework, practicum, and student teaching experiences. Courses include teaching methods in general education classrooms, implementing instructional strategies for helping students with a variety of abilities succeed, creating individualized education programs, as well as assessing learning needs in all core academic areas.

Admission Requirements

• Complete at least 40 transferable college-level credits by the end of the fall semester of the declaration year.
• Successfully complete RP & SE 300 Individuals with Disabilities by the end of the summer of the declaration year.
• Earn a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale on all transferable college-level coursework attempted.
• Submit all program declaration form(s), transcripts, and other related declaration materials by the deadline specified on the School of Education's Undergraduate Admissions page.

Professional Sequence

The professional coursework was designed to be completed in four semesters, starting in the fall after admission to the program. Each semester of the sequence must be followed sequentially and taken in consecutive semesters unless a modification is approved. Most classes must be taken during specified semesters, while other requirements may be completed prior to beginning the sequence.

Course List

Semester 1 (Fall)

• CURRIC 319: Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Elementary Mathematics
• CURRIC/RP & SE 406: Race, Intersectionality, and Equity in Education
• RP & SE 320: Introduction to Teaching in Special Education
• RP & SE 465: Language and Reading Instruction for Students with Disabilities
• CURRIC 550: Methods, Materials and Activities in Early Childhood Education
• RP & SE 605: Development, Learning and Education Foundations in Special Education

Semester 2 (Spring)

• CURRIC 320: Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Elementary Mathematics
• RP & SE 464: Diagnosis, Assessment, and Instructional Planning in Special Education
• RP & SE 466: Diversity in Special Education
• RP & SE 472: Methods in Transition and Vocational Education
• RP & SE 473: Classroom Management for Inclusive Classrooms
• RP & SE 480: Practicum in Teaching Literacy: Secondary Special Education (Grades 4-12)

Semester 3 (Fall)

• CURRIC 347: The Teaching of Writing and Other Language Arts
• RP & SE/CURRIC 365: Teaching Mathematics in Inclusive Settings
• CURRIC 371: Teaching Social Studies
• CURRIC 372: Teaching Science
• RP & SE 515: Access to the General Curriculum for Students with Disabilities
• CURRIC 373: Elementary Teaching Practicum III

Semester 4 (Spring)

• CURRIC 463: Seminar in Elementary Education
• CURRIC 464: Student Teaching in the Elementary School
• RP & SE 457: Elementary Education and Special Education Student Teaching Seminar
• RP & SE 477: Special Education Student Teaching: Elementary (PK - Grade 9)

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education.

School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements

All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 credits of Liberal Studies coursework. This requirement provides an opportunity to do some academic exploration beyond the scope of the major.

Elective Coursework

Complete additional courses as necessary to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for the degree.

GPA and Other Graduation Requirements

• 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average across all professional education courses (excluding practicum and student teaching).
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average in the major.
• Minimum 120 credits (degree candidates only).

Additional Certification Requirements and Applying for a License

In addition to completing UWMadison's program requirements, students must also complete Wisconsin statutory requirements and certification requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use knowledge of learners and human development to create responsive, inclusive, and respectful learning activities and environments that maximize learners cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development.
2. Use knowledge of learners, contexts, disciplines, pedagogies, and standards to plan and adjust developmentally appropriate and challenging learning activities and assessments.
3. Use knowledge of learners, contexts, disciples, pedagogies, and standards to implement planned and unplanned developmentally appropriate, challenging, and learner-responsive learning activities and maintain safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments.
4. Create and implement meaningful assessments and use assessment results to inform instruction, communicate with parents and others, and provide feedback to learners to guide their future performance and learning.
5. Exhibit professionalism and adhere to ethical practices as they continue their own development and collaborate with others to improve their profession, school communities, and outcomes for students and families.
6. Use studies completed in science and mathematics, social sciences, the humanities, histories, languages, and the arts to inform and deepen their teaching of content areas and meeting learners needs.

Four-Year Plan

This four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; it does not establish a contractual agreement.

Advising and Careers

Elementary Education and Special Education (EESE) Advising

Students not yet admitted to EESE meet with their assigned advisor in the School of Education Student Services office.

Wisconsin Experience

UWMadisons vision for the total student experience, the Wisconsin Experience, combines learning in and out of the classroom.

Certification/Licensure

Additional Certification Requirements

Students interested in certification must, in addition to completing UWMadison's program requirements, also complete Wisconsin statutory requirements related to teacher education and certification requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Resources and Scholarships

Information about scholarships, academic and career advising, study abroad opportunities, student diversity services, and other resources for students in the School of Education can be found on the school's Resources page.