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Director of Special Education and Pupil Services (DSEPS)

If you’re passionate about special education and want to take the next step in your career, this online Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Certificate program will prepare you to be successful.

Key Program Information
Next Session Summer
Schedule

*Application start date –TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023 
*Application deadline when student’s entire application file must be complete -- FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024 
*CBC order and completion deadline –WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024 
*Admitted student online orientation –WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2024, from 4:30 p.m.– 6 p.m. 
*DSEPS courses begin –MONDAY, June 10, 2024 

Become a leader in Special Education

This 15-credit online certificate program is for individuals who are ready to step into the important leadership role as directors of special education and pupil services. The UW-Eau Claire DSEPS program has a long-standing reputation for excellence; our graduates are well prepared and ready to lead.

Throughout this year-long program, you will be challenged to think from a big picture, systemic point of view by licensed, experienced directors of special education and pupil services. After successful completion of the program, you will be ready to apply for the Wisconsin DPI License #80, and you will earn a UW-Eau Claire Graduate Certificate.

Course topics and approximate dates:

  • SEIP 786.681 Systemic Leadership & Ethics (3 credits)
    • June 10 - July 8, 2024
  • SEIP 787.681 Leadership in Special Education & Pupil Services (3 credits)
    • July 11 - August 5, 2024
  • SEIP 782.681 Special Education Law (3 credits)
    • September 6 - October 21, 2024
  • SEIP 788.681 Special Education & Pupil Services Budget and Finance (3 credits)
    • October 24 - December 16, 2024
  • SEIP 789.681 Practicum: Leadership in Special Education & Pupil Services (3 credits)
    • January 30 - May 19, 2025

Why Should I Choose this Program?

  • Admitted candidates can complete the program in only one year.
  • All instructors are currently or were recently working as DSEPS in K-12 schools -- you'll learn from their practical experience.
  • All of the classes are online-asynchronous, except for the practicum experience.
  • With successful completion of the program, you'll be eligible to apply for Wisconsin DPI License # 80.
  • Earn a graduate certificate from UW-Eau Claire, transcribed on your permanent academic record.

Eligibility Requirements for Application to the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Program (DSEPS)

Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education

Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a 3.0 GPA minimum (4.0 scale) --A person may apply if their master’s degree is successfully conferred prior to April first --A person may not work on their master’s degree and the DSEPS program simultaneously

Professional Education: The applicant meets ONE of the following requirements: 

The applicant meets ONE of the following requirements:

(A) Has kindergarten through grade 12 license (i.e., Special Education and Speech Language Pathologist) or is eligible for a tier II, III, or IV teacher license in kindergarten through grade 12

(B) The applicant holds or is eligible to hold a tier II, III, or IV license as a School Counselor, a School Psychologist, or a School Social Worker

Experience: The applicant meets ONE of the following requirements:

(A) The applicant has 6 semesters of successful paid classroom experience teaching in any K through 12 grade --Student teaching, internships, and practicum experience do not meet the requirement

(B) The applicant has 6 semesters of successful paid experience as a K-12 School Counselor, a School Psychologist, or a School Social Worker, and the applicant has at least 540 hours of successful experience teaching academic content directly to students with special needs

  • Teaching experiences may include classroom instruction of academic content, consultation with classroom teachers, and/or direct work with an individual student
  • Student teaching, internships, practicum experience, conducting assessments, and IEP meetings do not meet the requirement

Note: Upon successful completion of UW-Eau Claire’s approved DSEPS Wisconsin licensure program, the applicant will be eligible to apply for the WI DPI 80 license for Director of Special Education & Pupil Services. For applicants seeking licensure in other states, please check with that state’s board of education regarding requirements for licensure.

How Much Does the Program Cost?

-Tuition is at the reduced rate of $485 per credit

-As this is a certificate program (as opposed to a degree program) federal financial aid is not available, but some students have been able to obtain private educational loans or have been subsidized by their districts

Questions?

For fastest service, email us. 

How to Apply for Admission to the DSEPS Program

Admission to the program is conditional until the candidate has passed a Criminal Background Check (CBC) with no concerns. The applicant is responsible for the cost of approximately $40 for the CBC. The CBC is required of all students admitted to the DPI licensure programs, even if the applicant has recently passed the CBC at their place of employment.

*Go to the UW-System E-App found here: UW System Admissions Application (wisconsin.edu)

*Please note that to apply for the certificate, you will be applying as a master’s degree-seeker.  Much of the UW-System E-App will be self-explanatory and pertain directly to your personal/academic background.  However, guidance is provided for you on some questions (below) that might not be intuitive:

-ARE YOU APPLYING FOR A DEGREE OR A FEW COURSES?  Select: Degree

-ARE YOU LOOKING TO EARN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR A GRADUATE DEGREE? Select: Graduate Degree

-YOU ARE A GRADUATE APPLICANT…SEEKING A MASTER’S DEGREE OR HIGHER Select: Yes/Continue

-WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO? Select: UW-Eau Claire & Save/Continue

-CHOOSE YOUR PROGRAM Select: Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Graduate Certificate, Graduate

*When prompted to do so during your application, you will be required to write an essay.  Use the following prompt:

Please provide a statement of up to 600 words of personal intent describing your decision to pursue this Certification and what you believe you will bring to the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services role.

*Request official transcripts from the institution that conferred your undergraduate and graduate degrees.  Your transcripts should be sent electronically directly from the college/university through their secured vendor (i.e. National Student Clearinghouse, Credential Solutions, Docufide, Parchment, etc.) or mailed to this address:

Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Flesch Family Welcome Center
127 Roosevelt Ave
PO Box 4004
Eau Claire, WI  54702-4004

Email Admissions with questions at: admissions@uwec.edu

*When prompted to do so during your application, you will be required to upload your resume 

*Pay the required application fee, as instructed

Necessary Forms

*The 540 Verification Form documents the teaching of academic content to children with special needs. The form must be submitted when you turn in your other application materials. Examples may include providing academic interventions within the MTSS of their district or co-teaching. You may send a scan or picture of this completed form directly to the Admissions Office email address: admissions@uwec.edu

*The Mentor Agreement Form must be submitted before the end of the first class.

Online Program Applicants: State of Residency

Wisconsin is a SARA state (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a SARA-approved institution. "The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state." (http://nc-sara.org/) Although CA and MA are not SARA-approved states at this time, UW-Eau Claire may currently accept students from these states as well.

Female teacher outside of classroom
Cancellation Policy

Refund of credit fees due to withdrawal from class will follow the UW-Eau Claire refund policy. Please refer to Refund Policy. Contact UW-Eau Claire Continuing Education for assistance.

Register Online

Details

Delivery format:
Online