Welcome, Students & Visitors                 

  Woodring Scholarship and Financial Aid Information

Program Office

Location
Miller Hall 322   |   360.650.3330   |   Fax: 360.650.4992

Department Chair
Dr. Keith Hyatt  |  360.650.2353  |  Keith.Hyatt@wwu.edu

Department Manager
Pam Clark Hamilton  |  360.650.3981  |  Pam.Hamilton@wwu.edu

What is Special Education?
There are two definitions of special education. One is the education of students with disabilities. The other is the application of exceptional teaching. We in the special education program at Western Washington University believe very strongly in the second definition. We think that it is our mission to prepare exceptional teachers and, while students who have disabilities often require the services of such teachers, we also believe that there are many other students who can benefit from high quality instruction. We also think that there is much satisfaction to be gained from the acquisition of the highest levels of teaching skill and that the teachers trained in our program benefit professionally and personally from the acquisition of theses skill. That is why the word “special” in our title is a source of pride to us and to our graduates.

Degrees, Certificates & Endorsements in Special Education

Our curriculum is a carefully sequenced professional program that is grounded in current research on effective teaching and learning, consistent with state and national standards pertaining to skills and knowledge for Special Education teachers. 
Please see links below for detailed program information.

Special Education Major
This plan of study leads to an endorsement in Special Education P-12.

Special Education P-12 & Elementary Education (Dual Endorsement)
This major integrates studies in Special Education & Elementary Education.

Early Childhood Special Education Major This major is designed to prepare personnel to work with children ages birth to eight years who are identified as at-risk for developmental delay or other disability.

Special Education Post Baccalaureate Certification Program
The post baccalaureate program in Special Education leads to a Washington State teacher certification with an endorsement in Special Education P-12.

M.Ed. in Special Education
Please consult the Graduate School section of the general WWU Catalog.

Special Education Endorsement Program
     Teacher Education Outreach Programs