The
Master of Arts in Teaching and Special Education programs have collaborated on
the new Master of Arts in Inclusive Education, a post-baccalaureate program
for candidates without a previous teaching license who want to become prepared
to teach children with a wide variety of educational needs.
This is the only post-baccalaureate program of its kind offered in the state of Wisconsin. The program was recently approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
This
program combines coursework in elementary/middle education and special
education, which also leads to increased marketability for candidates.
Wisconsin DPI requirements for licensure and the Council for Exceptional
Children (CEC) standards are the foundations of the program. Upon program
completion, candidates are able to work as either a regular classroom teacher
or as a special education teacher.
A
unique feature of this program is that the student teaching requirements for
both certification areas can be accomplished in one semester, resulting in
earlier program completion and program cost savings. Students who complete the certification portion of this program are eligible
for DPI Regular Education and Cross-Categorical Special Education
certifications at the Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence (grades 1-8 level).
Students can also continue on to earn an M.A. in Inclusive Education degree.
“Our
program allows general education teachers more expertise to meet the special
needs of students already in their classrooms,” said Dr. Kirstin Anglea, chair
of the MAIE program. “We believe that all children are amazing, and it is our
job to help them be the best person they can be.”