Program Overview

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Introduction to the Special Education Residency Program

The Special Education Residency program at Western Washington University is designed for candidates who aspire to make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities. As a Special Education teacher, one has the unique opportunity to work with students in small groups, design a wide variety of learning experiences tailored to the needs of individuals, and build strong relationships with students and their families that often span multiple years.

Program Overview

The program believes that inclusive education involves the valuing and facilitating of full participation and belonging of all students, and that special education teachers are in the unique position to support others in reaching this vision. The two-year, compacted program offers a facilitated sequence of courses combined with significant practical experience, including a year-long internship/residency with highly skilled mentor teachers. The curriculum has been co-designed by experts in the field and master teachers.

Program Outcomes

Graduates from the program are highly sought after teachers for special education positions and are frequently at the top of the candidate pool for teaching jobs. Upon completion, candidates are eligible for a Washington State residency teaching certificate in P-12 Special Education.

Student Resources

• Department website: Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching
• Department advising: Learn more about the program at the Education for Inclusive Environments 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 (P-12)
  • Special Education Teacher (P-12)
  • Inclusive Classroom Teacher
  • Behavior Interventions Specialist

Admission and Declaration Process

Prospective student candidates are invited to contact the program for more information and for pre-application advising. Before students may begin taking courses in education, they must be admitted to both Western Washington University and Teacher Education Outreach Programs. Admission to the programs occurs once a year, with cohorts beginning each fall. Program admission requirements include:

• Transferable A.A. degree from a Washington state community college, or satisfaction of Western’s General Education Requirements.
• Minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall or for the most recent 45 quarter credit hours.
• Meet the basic skills requirement.
• English composition course, completed with a B- or better.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Reflective essay.

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 110 credits, including:

Special Education Major (73 credits)

• ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
• ELED 365 - Inclusive Lesson Design
• ELED 375 - Designing Responsive Classrooms
• ELED 455 - Primary Literacy Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
• ELED 466 - Intermediate Literacy Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
• HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
• I T 442 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators
• MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
• MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
• SPED 305 - Introduction to Special Education and Typical/Atypical Development
• SPED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
• SPED 350 - Principles of Assessment and Data Based Decision Making
• SPED 351 - Introduction to Explicit Literacy Instruction
• SPED 453 - Collaboration and IEP
• SPED 454 - Assessment and Intervention in Mathematics
• SPED 455 - Behavioral Assessment and Intervention in Inclusive Systems
• SPED 456 - Assessment and Intervention in Written Expression
• SPED 465 - Assessment for Special Education and General Education Teachers
• SPED 471 - Interventions for Learning and Achievement in a Diverse Classroom
• SPED 474 - Students with Complex Needs
• TEOP 303 - Practical Application of Inclusive Teaching
• TEOP 304 - Supported Literacy Applications

Electives (10 credits)

Complete 10 credits from the following elective courses:

• ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
• ELED 426 - Social Studies Methods
• 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

Internship (27 credits)

• TEOP 494 - Inclusive Environments Student Teaching (Must complete 27 credits)

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