Special Education and Literacy Studies

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

Virginia David
Kristal Ehrhardt
Elizabeth Isidro
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 education professionals with expertise in meeting the needs of K-12 students with diverse abilities and backgrounds. 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 doctoral studies of Literacy and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and masters programs that lead to the Reading Specialist Endorsement K-12, and the English as a Second Language Endorsement, and oversee the language arts and literacy curriculum for all elementary 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.