Program Overview

Special Education and Literacy Studies

The Special Education and Literacy Studies program at Western Michigan University offers various undergraduate and graduate degree options, including certificates, to prepare educators for diverse roles in education.

Elementary Education PK-3 and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 – B.S.

This program is designed to prepare educators to meet the unique needs of English learners in K-12 schools. The TESOL K-12 major is available for all interested students who are also seeking PK-3 teacher certification. Graduates of this program will be eligible to teach all subjects to PK-3 students in self-contained classrooms as well as in ESL K-12 classrooms. No minor is required. This undergraduate major qualifies graduates for the Michigan English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.

Program Details

• Program Completion: Meets coursework and clinical experience requirements for the Michigan PK-3 Elementary and K-12 ESL endorsements.
• Comprehensive Program: Provides a comprehensive program to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in K-12 schools based on current theory and research.
• Real-world Experience: Prepares educators to collaborate and engage in dialogue with content area and general education colleagues to better serve the academic and linguistic needs of English learners.
• Instructional Skills: Equips educators with knowledge of effective instructional methodologies to address English learners’ academic and linguistic needs.
• Critical Thinking: Develops educators who can analyze and modify instructional materials and assessments depending on students’ English proficiency.

Additional Information

Who Should Apply?

• Pre-service teachers who are currently enrolled in the Elementary Education PK-3 program.
• Those who would like to learn about second language acquisition theories and teaching methodologies.
• Individuals interested in becoming ESL teachers in K-12 schools.
• Those who desire to teach in schools with a significant population of English learners.

Program Requirements

• In addition to completing all of the coursework required for the Elementary Education K-3 program, students will complete a planned program of study consisting of 24 credits of coursework for the TESOL K-12 major.
• An overall program grade point average of 3.0 or better is required to continue in this bachelor’s program.

Cost and Funding

• Tuition and fees
• Cost of attendance
• Scholarships
• Assistantships
• Grants
• Loans
• Employer-paid tuition

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to pursue additional educational opportunities through one of many study abroad options offered by the HPHE department or WMU in general.

WMU Signature

All WMU students have the option to stand out with an integrative learning project in one of several pathways including health and wellness, entrepreneurship, leadership, and more.

Faculty

• Dr. Virginia David, Program Coordinator

Programs Offered

• Early Childhood General and Special Education (B-K), B.S.
• Elementary Education (PK-3) and TESOL (K-12), B.S.
• Special Education – B.S.
• Early Childhood General and Special Education – Certificate
• English as a Second Language – Cert.
• Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports – Cert.
• Reading Instruction and Intervention, Certificate
• Early Childhood General and Special Education- M.A
• Literacy Studies – M.A.
• Special Education – M.A.
• TESOL – M.A.
• Special Education – ED.D.