Special Education Minor
Do you believe that learning differences should be celebrated, not penalized? Alverno’s licensable special education minor for undergraduate students will equip you with the knowledge, skills and versatility to create inclusive K-12 classrooms that accommodate and serve students’ diverse needs.
In the classroom
The special education minor consists of five courses in which you’ll discover how to create and advocate for inclusive learning environments that will best serve students’ academic, emotional and behavioral needs. You’ll learn about special education history and law, characteristics of specific disabilities and the IEP, literacy techniques, planning lessons for specific disabilities and creating environments that support positive classroom behaviors.
Your own instructors — experts in their field — will model how you can embrace students’ different learning styles and provide insightful, personalized feedback that enables students’ growth. Not only will you reach your full potential, but you’ll learn how to help your students do the same.
For this minor, we offer accelerated night classes with small groups in order to accommodate working professionals and to help you foster relationships with your faculty and a diverse group of peers.
Beyond the classroom
We believe you learn by doing, so you’ll get hands-on experience in real classrooms early and often, ensuring you’re ready to step up to the front of the classroom with confidence. And you can grow your professional network and learn from other educators via Ignite, our alum mentoring platform, and student organizations like the Alverno chapter of Student WEA (Wisconsin Education Association).
Alverno is connected to more than 150 private and public schools throughout the metro Milwaukee area and beyond, and our students do field experiences and student-teach at a variety of urban and suburban schools. While all education majors are required to student teach, top students will also have the opportunity to compete for a limited number of paid student teaching internships.
Special Education Quick Links
Education + The Alverno Difference
We create women leaders who are ready to succeed and shatter ceilings. At Alverno, you’ll find an empowering, supportive environment that helps you achieve your best. Alverno’s education curriculum is specifically designed to equip future teachers with the ability to skillfully and respectfully serve all students.
Instead of letter grades, we focus on your personal development and real-world skills — equipping you with the crucial communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills you need to thrive in education. Our learning approach is centered around the 8 Abilities, which will set you apart from the crowd.
Licensure Options
After you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in education, you’ll be eligible for a Wisconsin teaching license and a K-12 cross-categorical special education license.
New – Special Education Scholarship Opportunity
Alverno’s Developing Diversity in Exceptional Educator Preparation (DDEEP) program provides 24 scholarships per academic year to racially, ethnically, linguistically and ability diverse students who wish to serve as a special education teacher.
Students must meet eligibility requirements and commit to serve as a special education teacher for at least two years for every year the scholarship is received.
