Special Education and Literacy Studies

Daniel Morgan, Chair
Main Office: 3506 Sangren Hall
Telephone: (269) 387-5935
Fax: (269) 387-5703

Kristal Ehrhardt
Lauren Freedman
Esther Gray
George Haus
Paula Kohler
Susan Piazza
Maria Protacio
Shaila Rao
Sarah Summy
Elizabeth Whitten

The Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies (SPLS) offers undergraduate and graduate programs focused on preparation of educational professionals with expertise in meeting the needs of K-12 students with diverse abilities. Special education faculty offer a number of program options at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels with an emphasis on the application of research-generated practices to improve students’ educational and post-school outcomes. In addition to offering a master’s program that leads to the Reading Specialist Endorsement K-12, the Literacy faculty provide significant instruction to all WMU elementary and secondary education majors. This instructions integrates teaching reading and literacy development throughout the curriculum and across the the educational continuum. Within each program area, faculty are engaged in research initiatives that enhance both student engagement and learning.

Special Education

Admission
Students who desire to major in Special Education must be admitted to the pre-education curriculum of the College of Education and Human Development. This status, however, does not assure admission to the Professional Education Curriculum of the department. The selection of students to the Professional Education Curriculum in Special Education occurs in February each year after review of all applications by a departmental faculty committee.

Each year the Special Education program establishes the maximum number of new students who can be admitted to each of the special education curricula for the following year. The minimum criteria for admission consideration include:

Completion of the Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development Pre-Education Curriculum or equivalent transfer.
Attainment of junior status (at least 56 semester hours completed by commencement of the program).
Attainment of a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Achievement of passing scores on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) - Professional Readiness Exam.
Completion of a letter of intent for admission into the program including professional goals and explaining why a special education degree is sought.
Submission of an application for admission to the Special Education Professional Education Curriculum by the announced date.
Completion of Criminal background check.

All completed applications will be evaluated using the following specific criteria:

Grade point average at the time of application
Semester hours completed
Letter of intent
Personal interview with faculty
Writing sample taken at the interview

Students selected for admission will comprise a cohort which will begin taking courses in the Special Education sequence the following fall semester. Courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence. Six semesters (course work plus intern teaching) are required to complete the Professional Curriculum in Special Education.

Further information regarding admission requirements and procedures may be obtained by directly contacting the department.

Advising
The department provides advising to all students who wish to major in Special Education, whether or not they are currently enrolled in the department’s curricula. Students are expected to meet with College of Education and Human Development advisors and Special Education advisors early in their college careers.

Intern Teaching
Students complete three, ten-week intern teaching assignments, one in General Education, one in Learning Disabilities, and one in Emotional Impairments or Cognitive Impairments. Intern teaching placement is made only within prescribed areas in Southwest Michigan and Germany. Intern Teaching placement in or near home school districts should not be anticipated or expected.

Special Education Curricula

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts

State Elementary Provisional Certificate
Minimum Hours Required 130 hours

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen the Special Education Curriculum will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement by successfully completing SPED 3300 - Foundations of Special Education, which is included in the curriculum requirements for each of the special education endorsements.

Academic Minor (20-24 hours)

Students may select from any minors approved for elementary or secondary education except for Early Childhood Education. The latter minor may be selected as a second minor. Special Education faculty strongly encourage students to choose a common core minor at either the elementary or secondary level.

Endorsement Major

Students who have chosen the Special Education curriculum will complete one endorsement major.

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