威斯康星大學麥迪遜分校

The M.S. degree program in special education offers two master’s tracks including a teacher certification track and a general track. The teacher certification and general master’s tracks prepare students to serve as resources and advocates for students with disabilities and their families, and to work cooperatively with schools and community agencies to improve the quality of life for students with disabilities. Graduates of the master’s program who are also certified to teach are eligible to apply for two Wisconsin Cross-Categorical Special Education licenses (Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence, ages 6–12/13, and Early Adolescence through Adolescence, ages 10–21.

Special education is one of the two academic areas in the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education. The areas are joined by a common mission of preparing professional leadership personnel to address the educational and rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities across the life span. Both special education and rehabilitation psychology offer programs leading to Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees. Special education addresses the needs of children, youth, and young adults through its teacher education, research and service programs. Rehabilitation psychology addresses the needs of older youth, young adults, and adults by preparing rehabilitation counselors at the M.S. level and rehabilitation counselor educators at the Ph.D. level. Department faculty in both areas join resources to provide training and research programs that promote successful transition from school to the world of work, postsecondary, education and successful psychosocial adaptation for individuals with disabilities.

Special Education faculty research focuses on the following areas:

• Research methodologies in special education
• Diversity and equity issues in the field of special education
• Literacy and reading instruction for individuals with disabilities
• Teacher education and preparation of high quality special education teachers
• Evidence-based interventions with students with severe disabilities including multiple disabilities, intellectual disability and autism
• Special education issues in adolescence, transitional and vocational education.