10 Sped FAQ's
Below are some frequently asked questions about the 10 Sped program. For other questions or concerns, please contact us here, or at 715-246-6555. We're happy to help!
10 Sped Program FAQ
How does the 10 Sped Program differ from a traditional graduate level educator preparation program?
10 Sped is an accelerated program with most participants completing in 18 months. Students are enrolled in a cohort (stay with the same classmates) for the first three semesters of program coursework. Classes are offered on weekends to accommodate busy work schedules.
What areas will I be certified in when I complete the program?
Participants can choose either Early Childhood Special Education or Cross-Categorical Special Education.
Early Childhood Special Education candidates will be certified to teach special education children birth through grade 3.
Cross Categorical Special Education candidates will be certified to teach special education children grades K-12.
What can I expect as far as workload for the 10 Sped Program?
You will complete 10 assignments/papers over the first three semesters, as well as keeping up with online weekly discussions that take around 60 minutes a week.
How often does the cohort/class meet?
The cohort/class meets according to the calendar posted on the website.
Semester I
4 weekends of face-to-face classes held on Friday night from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm and Saturday 8:00am - 11:30 am.
Semester II
4 weekends of face-to-face classes held on Friday night from 6:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday 8:00am - 11:30 am.
Semester III
4 weekends of face-to-face classes held on Friday night from 6:30p-9:30pm and Saturday 8:00am - 11:30 am.
Semester IV - Student Teaching
No class meetings face-to-face. Students will participate in an online course and student teach in a district near them. The calendar follows the school district of placement's calendar for the semester.
Can I start at any semester to take classes in order?
A new cohort starts every semester (January through April, May through August and September through December) so classes are always taken in order.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota FAQ
How many graduate credits can I earn?
A: Semester I = 3 graduate credits
Semester II = 3 graduate credits
Semester III = 3 graduate credits
Semester IV - 3 graduate credits
Total = 12 graduate credits
Can I get a Master's Degree?
The 10 Sped program partners with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota to offer graduate credit. A candidate earns 12 graduate credits while in the 10 Sped program. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota will automatically transfer those 12 credits to the 33 credit graduate program, so a 10 Sped participant can complete the 10 Sped program for special education certification and opt to continue on to earn a Master's Degree through Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Is financial aid available?
Financial Aid is available for 10 Sped candidates through Saint Mary's University of Minnesota for semesters in which credits are earned (Semesters I, II, III and IV). Financial aid comes in the form of a student loan; grants are not available to graduate level students.
Does financial aid from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota go directly to 10 Sped for tuition fees?
The 10 Sped candidate receives the financial aid check from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and then pays Educate-WI with a check or credit card to pay for tuition. Students are wholly responsible for payment of program fees whether or not they choose to access financial aid.
Testing FAQ
What tests are required to become a special education teacher?
In order to obtain a teaching license in Special Education, Wisconsin DPI requires proficiency content knowledge and the FoRT alternate assessment, Please review each area below to understand how proficiency can be met:
Content Knowledge - Students must demonstrate proficiency in content knowledge related to their certification area(s). Proficiency can be demonstrated by either:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in language arts, math, science, and social studies courses as demonstrated on official transcripts (courses not related to these subject areas will not be considered); or
- Praxis II - Passing scores as established by the State Superintendent on content knowledge exams for certification in Early Childhood or Cross-Categorical Special Education.
Content Knowledge Proficiency/Praxis II, if required, must be completed before student teaching (4th semester). It is recommended to complete during Semester III.
5018 Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (for EC certification)
Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) - The FoRT alternate assessment is embedded in the 10 Sped curriculum and completed during the second semester of the 10 Sped program. You do not need to take the FoRT test.
Resources:
Praxis II- http://www.ets.org/praxis/wi/requirements
Foundation of Reading Test (FORT)- http://www.wi.nesinc.com
Student Teaching FAQ
Can I student teach in the district I am working in?
If you are working on a 1-year license with stipulations in the subject area and age level you are getting certified in, student teaching can be set up on the job.
Can I student teach in the summer?
Unless the district is on a year-round calendar, student teaching is not allowed during the summer. Summer school and Extended School Year do not provide the same experiences for the 10 Sped candidate that a typical school year student teaching placement does.
My school district is on Trimesters, can I student teach for one trimester to meet the requirements?
No. You must student teach full days for a full 18 weeks to meet the requirements.
Can I student teach on the job while I work as an educational assistant/paraprofessional already employed in a district?
No. The student teaching experience assumes the candidate will experience the full range of teacher responsibilities.
I have been hired to teach special education and am not yet licensed. How do I apply for a 1-year license with stipulations (emergency license)?
The 10 Sped candidate works with the employing district to complete the 1-year license with stipulations application. An administrator from the district signs the application for the 1-year license with stipulations and the candidate applies to DPI online.
How long can I teach with an 1 year license with stipulations (emergency license)?
A 1-year license with stipulations can be renewed up to two times, for a total of three years. At that time, it is expected that the applicant will have completed a program and will apply for a regular teaching license.
10 Sped Add-On Program FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the 10 Sped Add-On Program. For other questions or concerns, please contact us here, or at (715) 246-6555.
What license is required to be eligible for the 10 Sped Add-on Program?
Can I earn credits in the additional license program?
If I have a substitute license, should I apply to the additional license program?
No. If you have a substitute license, you would want to apply to our Project Teaching or 10 Sped programs.
I hold a non-special education license, can I enroll in this program to obtain my special education license?
No. If you do not already hold a special education license, you would need to apply to our 10 Sped program.
I have already completed student teaching, do I need to complete it again?
Yes. The State of WI requires an additional student teaching placement for a new license area which can occurs during a 9 week timeframe.