BSE Special Education at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Science in Special Education is a degree for students who want to work with children and youth, particularly those with disabilities. Graduates of the program have almost 100% job placement, with opportunities in Wisconsin and nationwide. Students pursuing Special Education can choose from three certification options, all completed in a four-semester sequence that includes coursework, field experiences, and starts each fall.

Faculty: School of Education | Department: School of Education Degree Requirements | Duration: 120 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: Madison, WI, United States

What you will study

The degree requires 120 credits in total. Courses listed in the requirements include ENGL 207 COM ARTS; AFROAMER 154 Hip-Hop and Contemporary American Society; AFROAMER 156 Black Music and American Cultural History; AFROAMER 225 Introduction to African American Dramatic Literature; AFROAMER 338 The Black Arts Movement; AMER IND 325 American Indians in Film.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to School of Education, not specific to this major: How to Get In Special Education Declaration Overview Students typically enter UW–Madison as Pre-Special Education students (PSR) and spend the first two years completing liberal studies, general education, and some professional education requirements. The Special Education major is declared during the sophomore year for the final two years on campus. On-campus students starting at UW-Madison in other majors can move to Pre-Special Education by completing a Pre-Professional Declaration . A GPA of 2.5, based on all UW–Madison coursework or the last 60 credits , is required to transfer into Pre-Special Education. It is not necessary to be a Pre-Special Education student before declaring the major.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry terms: Fall (Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring. Transfer entry terms: Fall (Priority and Regular Decision) and Spring.

First-year Fall Early Action: application deadline November 1, materials deadline November 9, decision on or before January 31. Fall Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, materials deadline January 22, decision on or before March 31. Spring Regular Decision: application deadline October 1, materials deadline October 15, decision on or before December 31. First-year fall and spring applications open August 1. Early Action is non-binding.

Transfer Fall Priority: application deadline February 1, materials deadline February 16, decision on or before March 31. Fall Regular: application deadline March 1, materials deadline March 15, decision on or before April 30. Spring Regular: application deadline October 1, materials deadline October 15, decision on or before December 31. Fall transfer applications open December 1; spring transfer applications open August 1.

Apply via the Common Application or the Universities of Wisconsin Application. The application fee is $80 US and is non-refundable; fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. ACT and SAT scores are optional for students applying for admission through the spring 2028 term (application deadline October 1, 2027).

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