Master of Science in Education - Special Education - Wisconsin Licensure (DPI #2801, DPI #1809, DPI #1825, & DPI #1805)

Graduate Application Steps

These programs have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.00.

Admissions Process for Graduate School

1. Application (Please Submit the Following):

• Application form available at: www.cuw.edu/apply
• One page essay describing your reason for obtaining a graduate degree
• Résumé of your education and employment experience
• Two signed letters of recommendation using the Recommendation Form (recommendation letters on letterhead may also be submitted)
• All official transcripts leading to your bachelor’s degree

Please note:

1. • Graduate entrance exams such as the GRE are not required
   • If you have completed graduate level classes in the last seven years and wish to have them evaluated for possible transfer, please contact your admissions counselor for more information on transferring graduate credits
   • International students should contact the Office of International Student Services at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional application requirements
2. Evaluation
   When an applicant’s file is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review.
   
   
3. Admission
   If the student is admitted, an acceptance letter will be mailed to the student and the student’s Falcon One Student ID number. Password information to access my.cuw.edu will be sent separately from the Information Technology office. Your advisor will be able to give you information regarding completion of the required student orientation before you begin your first class.

Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students

• Please complete the Non-Degree Application at www.cuw.edu/apply
• Non-degree applicants only need to submit an application to begin admission review; however academic transcripts may be requested to complete our review

Contact Us

For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262.243.4300.

 

Scholarship Information

Concordia offers several Uncommon Scholarships aimed at adult and post-traditional learners. They include:

• Academic Community Scholarship—Concordia currently has Preferred Educational Partnership (PEP) agreements with over 100 public, private, charter, and voucher schools in Wisconsin. All PEP district employees are eligible to receive $450 per three-credit graduate course.
• Christian Community Scholarship—Employees of any qualifying Christian organization, church or school are eligible to receive $500 per participating graduate program.
• Alumni Scholarship— Concordia alumni are eligible to receive $500 per participating graduate program.

All funds will be applied toward tuition and future tuition within the academic year and is not retroactive to past coursework completed prior to the receipt of this application. An application will need to be complete every academic semester and is the responsibility of the student to complete.

Cross-categorical special education - Wisconsin DPI 2801
This 16-credit add-on cross-categorical special education licensure program prepares teachers to work with K-12 students with the following disabilities:

• Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
• Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
• Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (EBD)

Concordia's cross-categorical program prepares you through coursework and also requires a practicum and portfolio for your licensure completion.
 
License vs master's in special education - What's the difference?
Interested in obtaining your master's of science in education? All of the 16-credits from the cross-categorical special education licensure count towards the 30-credit minimum required for your master's degree. Courses are typically 8-weeks in length and are flexible for educators to balance with their current workloads.
 
Do you not yet have your teaching license but are interested in becoming a special education teacher in Wisconsin? Concordia's Accelerated Program for Teacher Licensure allows you to fast-track your initial teaching license in special education online.

Early childhood special education - Wisconsin DPI 1809
The 25-credit early childhood special education add-on licensure program prepares current teachers to work with students from birth to age eight who have delays and disabilities. You'll graduate prepared to assist children and their families as they transition from birth to three programming into the special education program for children ages 3-8. You will also be required to complete a practicum and portfolio for licensure completion. 
 
License vs master's degree in early childhood special education - What's the difference?
Interested in obtaining your master's degree in early childhood special education? The 25-credits from the early childhood special education license count towards the minimum 30-credits required for your master's of science in special education. That's just two additional courses: an educational research methods course and for your final course, you have the option to take either a graduate capstone seminar or a graduate educational thesis seminar. Courses are typically 8-weeks in length and are flexible for educators to balance with their current workloads.
 
Interested in teaching early childhood education but don't yet have a teaching license? Check out a few of our other options below:

• Accelerated bachelor's in early childhood education
• Post-baccalaureate licensure program in early childhood and elementary education

Visual Impairment - Wisconsin DPI 1825
Concordia is the only university in the state of Wisconsin that offers teacher licensure in vision impairment. Through our online program, you will gain licensure to work with the following PreK-12 students who:

• Are visually impaired
• Are blind 
• Have low vision
• Have Cortical Vision Impairment (VCI)
• Are deafblind

Our VI program is fully online apart from the required one-week summer residency. You will learn Braille, assistive technology skills, and orientation and mobility skills and graduate eligible for the Wisconsin DPI 1825 Visual Impairment teaching license. The completion of your practicum and portfolio will help you better serve students with different levels of vision loss. The WI DPI requires you to successfully pass the National Certification in Unified English Braille (NCUEB) exam for licensure. 
 
License vs master's in special education - What's the difference?

For the VI license only, it requires 40 credits. And it takes two more research courses (6 credits) to earn your master's of science in special education with a focus on vision impairment for a total of 46 credits. Courses are typically 8-weeks in length and are flexible for educators to balance with their current workloads.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing - Wisconsin DPI #1805
Concordia is the only university in the state of Wisconsin that offers teacher licensure in deaf or hard of hearing. You will graduate prepared to work with the following students who are:

• deaf
• hard of hearing
• deafblind

You will learn sign language and assistive technology skills along with other key teaching skills for students in DHH special education programs. You'll be fully prepared for your WI DPI licensure through our convenient online coursework, as well as a required summer residency, practicum, and portfolio.
 
License vs master's in special education - What's the difference?
The DHH teaching licensure-only curriculum can be completed in 43-credits. An additional (6) credits are required to add on your master's of science in special education with a focus on deaf or hard of hearing. That's just two more courses. Courses are typically 8-weeks in length and are flexible for educators to balance with their current workloads.