Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Special Education P-12, BAEd
What Is The Study of Special Education P-12?
Special Educators need to have extensive knowledge in four areas: they need to know about students and how they learn; they need to know about effective instruction; they need to know about the content of the lessons they will teach; and, they need to know about the context (social, legal, and political) in which they will work. Therefore, training to become a Special Educator will include work in each of these areas. The program includes coursework and extensive supervised practicum experiences in the public schools. The program is rigorous and the expectations are high. However, the rewards are also high. This program will prepare you to be an excellent teacher in whatever position you eventually choose. Our graduates are actively recruited by school districts to work in a variety of rewarding special education settings.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
There are two definitions of Special Education. One is the education of students with disabilities. The other is the application of exceptional teaching. We in the Special Education Program at Western Washington University believe very strongly in the second definition. We think that it is our mission to prepare exceptional teachers and, while students who have disabilities often require the services of such teachers, we also believe that there are many other students who can benefit from high quality instruction. We also think that there is much satisfaction to be gained from the acquisition of the highest levels of teaching skill and that the teachers trained in our program benefit professionally and personally from the acquisition of these skills. That is why the word “Special” in our title is a source of pride to us and to our graduates.
How to Declare:
You may declare a major in Special Education upon admission to the Department of Special Education.
Minimal Admission Requirements:
- Completion of at least 45 credits.
- GPA of 2.75 for the most recent 45 credits completed.
- Passing score on all sections of the WEST-B.
- English Composition course with a grade of B- or higher.
Coursework
Major—Special Education: 58 credits
- SPED 360 - Introduction to Special Education
- SPED 390 - Special Education Practicum I
- SPED 460 - Interventions for Classroom Management
- SPED 466 - Assessment, Evaluation and Iep
- SPED 467 - Curriculum-Based Evaluation
- SPED 468 - Effective Collaboration with Families, Professionals and Community
- SPED 471 - Interventions for Learning Problems
- SPED 472 - Behavior Assessment and Intervention
- SPED 474 - Students With Complex Needs
- SPED 480 - Practicum II: Literacy I
- SPED 481 - Practicum III: Literacy 2
- SPED 482 - Practicum IV: Math
- SPED 483 - Reading Instruction for Students With Special Needs
- SPED 484 - Designing Written Expression Interventions
- SPED 485 - Designing Math Interventions
- SPED 486 - Case Study Applications in Special Education
Professional Studies Core: 33-34 credits
- EDUC 301 - Educational Psychology I: Development and Individual Differences
- EDUC 302 - Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning and Assessment
- EDUC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
- HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
- IT 443 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Special Education)
- MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
- SPED 420 - Effective Teaching
- SPED 440 - School Practicum
- ELED 424 - Language Arts in the Elementary Curriculum
Internship—Special Education: 16 credits
- One course from:
- SPED 498 - Internship - Exceptional Children/Elementary
- SPED 499 - Internship - Exceptional Children/Secondary
Note(s): Post-baccalaureate teacher certification with Special Education endorsement has essentially the same requirements as the undergraduate teacher certification program in Special Education, including the Professional Studies Core and internship requirements.
Sample Careers
- Special Education Resource Room Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Consultant
- Inclusive Classroom Teacher
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Chuck Lambert
MH 202E, 360-650-2595
Chuck.Lambert@wwu.edu
Department Manager:
Pam Clark Hamilton
MH 201D, 360-650-3981
Pam.Hamilton@wwu.edu
Teacher Education Admissions
MH 150
360-650-3313
www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss