Program Overview

Introduction to Inclusive Education

Inclusive Educators fill a variety of positions in our P-12 schools, working as early childhood teachers, elementary and middle school teachers, special education teachers, collaborative teaching specialists, and family advocates. Inclusive Educators must acquire extensive knowledge in major teaching and learning areas, understanding typical and atypical human development, recognizing the foundations and provisions of education and special education laws and legislation, and embracing and affirming the diversities among P-12 classrooms.

Program Overview

The Inclusive Education major (P-12) prepares students to become excellent teachers in whatever position they eventually choose. The program is rigorous, and the expectations are high. However, the rewards are also high, as dual endorsement graduates are actively recruited by school districts to teach in early childhood, elementary, and middle school classrooms as well as in special education positions.

Why Consider an Inclusive Education Major?

The Inclusive Education major allows prospective teachers to become experts in both Special Education and General Education. Special Education is designed for students with disabilities who need individualized supports, which can often be delivered and instructed in the General Education setting. The purpose of Inclusive Education is to prepare exceptional teachers who can work with all students, in a variety of settings, and acquire multiple teaching skills.

Student Resources

• Department website: Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching
• Department advising: Learn more about the program at the Inclusive Education webpage
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Special Education Resource Room Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Consultant
  • Inclusive Classroom Teacher
  • Behavior Interventions Specialist
  • Elementary Teacher

Admission and Declaration Process

Admission to Western Washington University and admission to the Department of Special Education 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 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. The State of Washington requires students to earn a “C” or better in all major endorsement and education courses.

Certification Advisement

Each student will be assigned an adviser when admitted. Students will be assisted and monitored by their adviser on a regular basis throughout their programs.

Grade Requirements

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

Program Requirements

The program requires 137 credits, including:

Major — Inclusive 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 462 - Teaching for Learning, Motivation, and Achievement in a Diverse Society
• 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
• SPED 489 - Practicum IV - Interventions

Elementary Program Curriculum and Methods

• One course from:
  • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
  • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
  • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
  • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
• ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
• ELED 424 - Language Arts in the Elementary Curriculum
• ELED 426 - Social Studies Methods
• HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
• I T 443 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators
• MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
• MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
• MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 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

Professional Studies Core

• SPED 303 - Educational Psychology
• SPED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
• SPED 420 - Effective Teaching
• SPED 440 - Practicum I - General Education

Internships — Special Education and Elementary Education

• TEOP 494 - Inclusive Environments Student Teaching

University Graduation Requirements

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