Advisors: Kristal Ehrhardt, Kate LaLonde, Sarah Summy, Elizabeth Whitten
Room 3506, Sangren Hall

 

Students may focus their studies on obtaining a special education teaching endorsement, in depth study of special education content for personal growth, or preparation for advanced graduate training. Program concentrations include:

Administration: Program for individuals pursuing leadership positions as central office administrators, supervisors, or directors of special education within a school district or ISD. Candidates must have an elementary or secondary teaching certificate and a special education endorsement or related area certification to enter the program.

Clinical teacher: Program for individuals seeking their first endorsement in special education. Candidates must have an elementary or secondary teaching certification to enter the program. Endorsements are available in autism, emotional impairments or learning disabilities.

Master teacher: Program for current special education teachers to become a behavior specialist or earn additional endorsement in autism, emotional impairments or learning disabilities. Candidates must have an elementary or secondary teaching certificate to enter the program.

 

Admission Procedures by Program

WMU has an online graduate application system that allows all students (domestic and international) to submit required information into one system. General application information for the University, as well as specific requirements for individual programs, are captured into this one system.

 

Special Education: Administration (M.A.)

Within the online application system, applicants must provide general information (including educational history details), as well as the following specific program requirements.

Applicants must also request official transcripts, and any required graduate test and/or language proficiency official scores, be sent to WMU.

Application deadlines

On-going; students may be admitted for each semester.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required; please submit within the online application system.

Graduate test

This program does not require a graduate test.
Note: International applicants may have to provide evidence of English language proficiency. More information can be found within the online application.

Recommendations

This program requires three recommendations. Please send email requests for such recommendations from within the online system.

Written statement

Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:

This program is for certified teachers with at least one endorsement in special education. Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:
In three (3) typed, double-spaced pages or less, address the following areas: (1) State which endorsement you are pursuing: Supervisor or Director; (2) List which teaching certificate you currently hold: elementary, secondary or other; and from what state; (3) List what special education endorsement you already hold; (4) Summarize your prior professional experiences to date; and (5) Identify your professional goals, explaining why an additional special education degree is sought.

Previous written work

This program does not require any previous written work be submitted.

Other program materials

This program does not require any other program materials to be submitted.

Additional information

Note: Students seeking leadership positions in public school administration should have at least three (3) years of professional experience in a special education setting.

 

Special Education: Clinical Teacher (M.A.)

Within the online application system, applicants must provide general information (including educational history details), as well as the following specific program requirements.

Applicants must also request official transcripts, and any required graduate test and/or language proficiency official scores, be sent to WMU.

Application deadlines

On-going; students may be admitted for each semester.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required; please submit within the online application system.

Graduate test

This program does not require a graduate test.
Note: International applicants may have to provide evidence of English language proficiency. More information can be found within the online application.

Recommendations

This program requires three recommendations. Please send email requests for such recommendations from within the online system.

Written statement

Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:

This program is for certified teachers pursuing their first endorsement in special education. Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:
In three (3) typed, double-spaced pages or less, address the following areas: (1) State which endorsement you are pursuing: ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders), EI (Emotional Impairments), or LD (Learning Disabilities); (2) List which teaching certificate you currently hold: elementary, secondary or other; and from what state; (3) Summarize your prior professional experiences to date; and (4) Identify your professional goals, explaining why an additional special education degree is sought.

Previous written work

This program does not require any previous written work be submitted.

Other program materials

Attach a copy of your Teaching Certificate and Endorsements.

Additional information

None

 

Special Education: Master Teacher (M.A.)

Within the online application system, applicants must provide general information (including educational history details), as well as the following specific program requirements.

Applicants must also request official transcripts, and any required graduate test and/or language proficiency official scores, be sent to WMU.

Application deadlines

On-going; students may be admitted for each semester.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required; please submit within the online application system.

Graduate test

This program does not require a graduate test.
Note: International applicants may have to provide evidence of English language proficiency. More information can be found within the online application.

Recommendations

This program requires three recommendations. Please send email requests for such recommendations from within the online system.

Written statement

Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:

This program is for certified teachers with at least one endorsement in special education. Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:
In three (3) typed, double-spaced pages or less, address the following areas: (1) State which endorsement you are pursuing: ASD (Autism), EI (Emotional Impairments), or LD (Learning Disabilities), Behavior Intervention Specialist; (2) List which teaching certificate you currently hold: elementary, secondary or other; and from what state; (3) List what special education endorsements you already hold; (4) Summarize your prior professional experiences to date; and (5) Identify your professional goals, explaining why an additional special education degree is sought.

Previous written work

This program does not require any previous written work be submitted.

Other program materials

Attach a copy of your Teaching Certificate and Endorsements.

Additional information

None

Application Review

Applications are evaluated on the basis of: 1) undergraduate grade point average, minimum GPA of 3.0 (a graduate grade point average may be considered if at least 9 hours of recent and relevant course work have been completed), 2) experience in special education, general education, or a related field, 4) congruence of professional goals and requested program option, 5) writing skills, 6) professional references. International students must submit a CELCIS transcript with a minimum grade of “BA” or a TOEFL score of 550 or better to be considered for admission. Admission deadlines are on-going and students may be admitted each semester.