Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Special Education P-12 and Elementary Education (Dual Endorsement), BAEd
What Is the Special Education and Elementary Education Major?
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 dual endorsement graduates are actively recruited by school districts to teach in both elementary classrooms and 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 skills 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 and Elementary 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
- 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
Elementary Program Curriculum and Methods: 29-30 credits
- One course from:
- ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- One course from:
- ART 380 - Art Educating the Child
- DNC 433 - Creative Movement for Educators With Lab
- MUS 361 - Music for Elementary Teachers
- THTR 350 - Theatre for Youth
- THTR 351 - Creativity Across the Curriculum
- ELED 426 - Social Studies Methods
- MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
- MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III
- PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School
- SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School
- SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science
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
Internships — Special Education and Elementary Education: 32 credits
- ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary
- SPED 498 - Internship - Exceptional Children/Elementary
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
QSR: MATH 381, MATH 382
Sample Careers
- Special Education
- Resource Room
- Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Consultant
- Inclusive Classroom Teacher
- Behavior Interventions Specialist
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Chuck Lambert
MH 201E 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