Department of Special Education
Miller Hall 161, 360-650-3981
No new applications are being accepted at this time. Please contact the department or see the department website for updated information.
Graduate Faculty
Coulter, Gail, PhD.
Howell, Kenneth W., PhD.
Hyatt, Keith, EdD.
Kelley, Bridget, PhD.
Lambert, M. Charles, PhD.
Robinson, LeAnne, PhD.
Slentz, Kristine L., PhD.
Thorndike-Christ, Tracy, PhD.
Goals
The program prepares special educators to become master teachers and consultants in specialized instruction.
Graduate studies in special education are generally designed for students who have met Washington state teacher certification requirements, and are seeking a master’s degree in combination with an endorsement to teach special education, and for certificated special education teachers. Prospective students who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking a first Washington state certification should refer to the Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Program as preparation for graduate admission.
Application Information
Candidates must meet the requirements of the Graduate School (see General Requirements in this section of the catalog) in addition to the following departmental requirements:
- Specific test requirements:
- Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Exam, General Test.
- Supporting materials:
- A résumé
- A statement of purpose for seeking the MEd, and SPED endorsement, if applicable, not to exceed one page
- Completion of Washington state residency certificate requirements
- Three current letters of reference
- An on-campus interview if requested by the department
In limited cases, students who do not meet departmental admission requirements may be granted provisional admission by the Graduate School.
Research Paper
The department requires students to submit a proposal for a research paper (691). This proposal must be approved by the student’s committee prior to registering for SPED 691. In SPED 691 students will design and carry out independent research under the direction of a faculty committee. Two faculty are required for the committee directing the research paper (691).
Comprehensive Assessment
Student achievement of the program competencies will be assessed by faculty during the final two quarters of the program through one of two methods:
- Research paper (SPED 691)
- Qualifying examination - the qualifying exam is required by the end of the third quarter of enrollment, after completing SPED 501 with a grade of B- or better. Passage of the qualifying exam is required prior to registering for SPED 691 credits.
