Program Overview

Introduction to the Early Childhood Special Education P-3 and Early Childhood Education P-3 Program

The Early Childhood Special Education P-3 and Early Childhood Education P-3 program at Western Washington University is designed to prepare students to become inclusive early childhood educators. These educators work as early childhood teachers, elementary classroom teachers, special education teachers, collaborative teaching specialists, and family advocates.

Program Overview

Inclusive Early Childhood Educators must acquire extensive knowledge in major teaching and learning areas. For example, they must understand typical and atypical human development, recognize the foundations and provisions of education and special education laws and legislation, and embrace and affirm the diversities within early childhood settings and the larger community.

Why Consider a Dual Endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education P-3 and Early Childhood Education P-3 Major?

The dual endorsement major allows prospective teachers to become experts in both Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Special Education is designed for students with disabilities who need individualized supports. These supports can often be delivered and instructed in inclusive settings, which is one reason the program believes that Special Education and Early Childhood teacher preparation should be combined.

Program Mission

The mission of the program is to prepare exceptional teachers. While students with disabilities often require the services of Special Education teachers, the program also believes that there are many other students who benefit from high-quality instruction. Therefore, educators who are prepared to teach all students, including students with disabilities, tend to be the most effective and sought-after teachers within districts.

Admission and Declaration Process

Admission to Western Washington University and admission to the Department of Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching are required before a student may begin taking courses in education. Requirements include:

• Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for the last 45 credits
• Completion of an English composition course, with a grade of B- or higher
• Meet the basic skills requirement

Retention in the Program

Retention in the program requires continuous demonstration of competence in standard oral and written English in all coursework. Retention also requires maintenance of a 2.75 quarterly GPA, including the quarter in which the application was reviewed by the Department of Special Education.

Certification Advisement

Each student will be assigned an adviser when admitted to the Department of Special Education. The adviser for the Early Childhood major is Dr. Lindsay Foreman Murray. Students will be assisted and monitored by Dr. Foreman-Murray on a regular basis throughout their program.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the special education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Program Requirements

The program requires 151-153 credits and includes the following courses:

• One course from:
  • ECE 380 - Foundations of Literacy for Early Childhood Education
  • ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators
• ECE 390 - Infant and Toddler Practicum and Seminar
• ECE 391 - Preschool Practicum and Seminar
• ECE 430 - Creativity & Play in ECE
• ECE 431 - Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education
• One course from:
  • ECE 434 - Environments for Early Learning
  • ECE 436 - Child Guidance: Principles and Practices
• ELED 426 - Social Studies Methods
• SPED 443 - Early Development Variations
• SPED 444 - Assessment and Intervention in Early Childhood Special Education
• SPED 446 - Mentoring Students with Complex Needs
• SPED 452 - Applied Behavior Analysis
• SPED 457 - Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms
• SPED 460 - Creating an Inclusive Classroom
• SPED 463 - Curriculum-Based Evaluation: Data-Based Assessment for Effective Decision Making
• SPED 465 - Assessment for Special Education and General Education Teachers
• SPED 469 - Professional Collaboration: Working with Families, Colleagues, and Community to Promote Student Success
• SPED 474 - Students with Complex Needs
• SPED 479 - Developmental and Remedial Reading Instruction for Inclusive Settings
• SPED 480 - Practicum III - Individual/Group Intervention, Reading
• SPED 487 - Written Expression Instruction and Interventions
• SPED 488 - Math Instruction and Interventions

Professional Studies Core

The Professional Studies Core includes:

• ECE 435 - Advocacy and Healing-Centered Perspectives in Early Childhood
• ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
• SPED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
• IT 443 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators
• SPED 420 - Effective Teaching
• SPED 440 - Practicum I - General Education

Early Childhood Elementary Courses

The Early Childhood Elementary Courses include:

• MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
• or MATH 371 - Teaching P-3 Mathematics I
• MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
• or MATH 372 - Teaching P-3 Mathematics II
• MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III
• or MATH 373 - Teaching P-3 Mathematics III
• PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School
• SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School
• SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science

Public School Practica and Internship — Special Education

The Public School Practica and Internship include:

• SPED 489 - Practicum IV - Interventions
• SPED 496 - Internship - Exceptional Children/Early Childhood

University Graduation Requirements

The University Graduation Requirements include:

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement