Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
This 15-credit online certificate program is for those ready to step into a leadership role as a director of special education and pupil services.
Take the Next Step in Your Career
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's director of special education and pupil services (DSEPS) certificate is designed for K-12 teachers (including special education, general education, and speech and language therapists), school administrators, or pupil services professionals who already hold a master’s degree and have completed three years of paid school-based professional experience.
Throughout this year-long 15-credit program, you will be challenged to think from a systemic point of view by licensed, experienced directors of special education and pupil services. After completing the certificate, you will be ready to apply for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instructions (DPI) certification (license code 80).
Program Details
Licensure Information
The requirements of this program meet licensure requirements in the following states or territories:
Wisconsin, Indiana, and Louisiana
These states and territories do not currently license Directors of Special Education & Pupil Services, but students are welcome to apply:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Northern Marina Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U. S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
*The requirements of this program do not meet licensure requirements in the following states and territories:
Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.
*NOTE: Applicants from the above listed states and territories will be considered if they attest that they will relocate and work in Wisconsin for their application to be considered. (Attestation form will be required as part of the application.)
With online courses that you can take over the course of one year — with only one in-person practicum course — this program puts you on the fast track to a leadership role without interrupting your current career.
All instructors for this program currently work, or once worked, as directors of special education and pupil services in K-12 schools. Drawing from their real-world experience and refined skills, you'll learn the essential, practical details about this role through every lesson you attend.
Blugold Stories
Coursework in special education law, ethics, finance and leadership — plus a 150-hour field practicum — will prepare you for success in the dynamic role of director of special education and pupil services.
Here are a few courses in Director of Special Education and Pupil Services at UW-Eau Claire.
SEIP 786
Systemic Leadership & Ethics
This course addresses leadership and administration of PK-12 special education programs. Operational responsibilities will be analyzed.
SEIP 788
Special Education and Pupil Services Budget & Finance
This course provides introductory exposure, understanding, principles, and practices to budget financing applications in special education and pupil services.
SEIP 787
Leadership in Special Education and Pupil Services
This course addresses the leadership, administration, and staffing of PK-12 special education and pupil services programs. Operational responsibilities, advocacy, due process, collaboration, and special education instructional leadership/related and pupil services provision will be analyzed.
What's Next?
