MBU’s School of Education Announces Special Education Licensing
Special Education Licensing
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction approved a Cross-Categorical Special Education license for MBU students minoring in Cross-Categorical Special Education.
The Cross-Categorical minor offers a Wisconsin teaching license (CCSPE 801) that covers all three areas of special education licensing. The three categories cover Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Behavioral Disorders.
Advantages of the License
- Job Marketability
The CCSE 801 license 801 addresses a high need area in public school districts. - Educational benefit
The knowledge, skills, and dispositions gained from this minor benefit teachers and their students in Christian and public schools. - Educational fit
The Cross-Categorical minor will complement an Elementary Education major or any other teacher education major. - Dual credits
Students may count up to 12 credits from the Cross-Categorical undergraduate minor towards a Master of Education graduate degree. - Qualified faculty
The MBU faculty possess credentials to teach both the undergraduate Cross-Categorical minor and graduate track.
“It’s a high need area. The emergency licensing for Cross-Categorical teachers is off the charts right now,” said David Handyside. “In fact, there are more than twice as many Cross-Categorical emergency licenses granted in Wisconsin than for any other emergency license category.”
The high need for licensing reaches across the U.S., not just Wisconsin. And, while the minor licenses only for Wisconsin, Handyside said having licensure in Wisconsin makes it easier for graduates to get licensed in other states as well.
Additionally, depending on the state, the Wisconsin license may be sufficient for licensure in other states, due to the high demand for teachers with these qualifications.
“You might have to take another content test in that area…But you should not have to take more coursework,” Handyside said.
Advanced Degree Opportunities
The unique opportunity to not only get the CCSPE 801 license, but also to count up to 12 credits toward a Master of Education degree is a great package for future teachers.
“Many school districts offer financial incentives for teachers to complete advanced degrees,” said Phillip Olt, Maranatha’s director of Online and Distance learning.
In addition, Olt said that one of the benefits of getting the MEd, which is offered completely online, is the deeper understanding of key topics that teachers are certain to encounter.
The University, and especially the School of Education, looks forward to the opportunities and doors this will open for their students as they graduate and move on from MBU.