Department of Special Education, Woodring College of Education
141–144 credits (professional program and major)
Introduction/What is the Study of Special Education?
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree with teacher certification and an endorsement in Special Education - P-12 through Teacher Education Outreach Programs located in Bremerton, Everett and Seattle should complete the Elementary Education Professional Program - Outreach Program and the Special Education (P-12) - Outreach Program requirements. Program coursework listed below is delivered through a cohort-based, integrated model designed specifically for outreach program sites. Graduates may earn an endorsement in special education by completing a second internship (16 credits) through the special education additional endorsement program. Courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Before students may begin taking courses in education, they must be admitted to both Western Washington University and Teacher Education Outreach Programs. Admission to our programs occurs once a year in the fall. Program admission requirements include:
- Transferable A.A. degree from a Washington state community college, or satisfaction of Western’s General Education Requirements
- Minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall or for the most recent 45 quarter credit hours
- State minimum scores on the Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B). This test is offered 6 times a year at various sites in the state. Visit the WEST-B website at http://www.west.nesinc.com for more information
- English composition course, completed with a B- or better
- Three letters of recommendation
- Reflective essay
For more details about program admission, please see the Frequently Asked Questions page at http://www.wce.wwu.edu/depts/teop.
Enrollment restrictions apply in all teacher education programs. Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission. Students who meet all criteria are further evaluated by the department to determine the most qualified applicants. Retention in the program requires continuous demonstration of competence in standard oral and written English in all coursework. Retention also requires maintenance of a 2.75 quarterly GPA for each quarter after admission. The State of Washington requires students to earn a “C” or better in all major endorsement and most education courses.
Advisement
Prospective elementary education students are invited to meet with an advisor for more information about the program (see above for site contacts). At all TEOP sites, the student advisor is the Academic Program Director. Students will be assisted and monitored by their advisors and their program coordinator on a regular basis throughout their program.
Grade Requirements
Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.
