Special Education and Literacy Studies

Regena Fails Nelson, Interim Chair
Main Office: 3506 Sangren Hall
Telephone: (269) 387-5935
Fax: (269) 387-5703

Kristal Ehrhardt
Ester Gray
Susan Piazza
Maria Protacio
Shaila Rao
Deanna Roland
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. Literacy Studies faculty offer an undergraduate major in English Language Arts, an M.A. in Literacy Studies that leads to the Reading Specialist Endorsement K-12, English as a Second Language (ESL) graduate certificate program, an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Ph.D., EHD with concentration areas in Literacy Studies and TESOL, and significant instruction to all WMU elementary and secondary education majors. This instruction integrates teaching literacy and language development throughout the curriculum and across the educational continuum. Within each program area, faculty are engaged in research initiatives that enhance student learning, and school/community engagement. Within the Dorothy J. McGinnis Reading Center and Clinic and the Career Connections Research Center, faculty provide opportunities for WMU students to participate in experimental learning.