Special Education Certifications
EBD, CD, & LD

CAREER DECISIONS

Becoming a special education teacher or teacher of the gifted/ talented may be the right decision for you…

• If you believe that we should look beyond a person’s disability to see his/her real potential
• If you believe that students with varying functioning abilities should have learning environments that adapt to those abilities
• If you believe that students with special talents and creative abilities have a right to develop them through various curricular programs in school
• If you believe that teachers are key individuals who can provide meaningful learning experiences for learners with divergent abilities and/or exceptional needs in our schools.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Certification programs in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point were instituted in 1972 with a minor in Learning Disabilities. Since then, more areas of certification have been added.

• Emotional/Behavioral Disturbance (ED)(830)
• Learning Disabilities (LD)(811)
• Cognitive Disabilities(CD)(810)

To visit the gifted education site please click here

Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements:

1. Professional preparation: Completed a bachelor's degree in elementary or secondary ed, including these required courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 398; methods courses for instructional areas; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
   1. If you are certified in other areas of special education, complete these professional education courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses in regular curriculum; Psychology 260; or equiv graduate level courses.
2. General exceptional education:  Complete Communicative Disorders 567; Education 556, 568, 704, 778; and
3. Area of specialization: Successfully complete these courses, with an emphasis in emotional disabilities: Education 564, 569, and 781.
4. Praxis II Content Tests are required by the state of Wisconsin to receive add-on certification as of August 1, 2004. If the test is taken after June 12, 2004, the score must be passing. EBD, CD & LD add-on certification requires ETS Praxis II Test # 0146 (www.ets.org)
5. A Portfolio with all assignments from the classes needed for your add-on license is required with your add-on license application.

Learning Disabilities
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements:

1. Professional preparation:
   1. Completed your bachelor’s degree in elementary or secondary ed, including these required courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 398; methods courses for your instructional areas; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
   2. If you are certified in other areas of special education, complete these professional education courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses in regular curriculum; or equivalent graduate courses.
2. General exceptional education: Communicative Disorders 567, Education 556, 568, 704, and 778; and
3. Areas of specialization: Successfully complete these courses, with emphasis in learning disabilities: Education 564, 569, 747, and 781.
4. Praxis II Content Tests are required by the state of Wisconsin to receive add-on certification as of August 1, 2004. If the test is taken after June 12, 2004, the score must be passing. EBD, CD & LD add-on certification requires ETS Praxis II Test # 0146 (www.ets.org)
5. A Portfolio with all assignments from the classes needed for your add-on license is required with your add-on license application.

Cognitive Disabilities
To receive certification, fulfill these requirements: 

1. Professional education:
   1. Completed your bachelor’s degree in elementary or secondary education, including these required courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, and 398; methods courses for your instructional areas; and Psychology 260 or HD 261.
   2. If you are certified in other areas of special education, complete these professional education courses: Education 309 or 386; Education 351, 381, 383, 398; methods courses in regular curriculum; Psychology 260; or equivalent graduate courses.
2. General exceptional education: Complete Communicative Disorders 567, Education 556, 568, 704, 778; and
3. Areas of specialization: Successfully complete these courses, with emphasis in cognitive disabilities: Education 564, 569, 781.
4. Praxis II Content Tests are required by the state of Wisconsin to receive add-on certification as of August 1, 2004. If the test is taken after June 12, 2004, the score must be passing. EBD, CD & LD add-on certification requires ETS Praxis II Test # 0146 (www.ets.org)
5. A Portfolio with all assignments from the classes needed for your add-on license is required with your add-on license application.

How to Apply