Majors, minors & more
Special Education
College of Education
- Offered as:
- Certificate
Overview
The special education teaching curriculum provides the skills and knowledge required for those who want to teach students with special needs at either the elementary or secondary level.
The special education endorsement is offered as an add-on endorsement; it can be earned concurrently with a standard teaching certificate (such as elementary education, English, math, music, etc.), or added to an already completed teaching certificate.
- Strengths of the program
-
- Make connections through professors who have collaborative relationships with more than 150 school districts statewide.
- The Alhadeff Future Teachers of Color program provides support for multicultural students who are aspiring teachers.
- Study and work with a diversity of young students that mirrors today's classrooms.
- Students pursuing the elementary education program gain firsthand experience through over 200 hours practicum experiences in addition to 16 weeks of student teaching.
- The U.S. Department of Education selected WSU for a grant of more than $11 million to create a model teacher education program centered on high-needs youths.
- WSU offers the state's only teacher education program that provides practical classroom teaching opportunities in every region of Washington.
- Learn effective teaching at the state's only undergraduate education degree program housed at a major research university.
- Requirements and core courses
-
In addition to the core education coursework for your primary endorsement area, you'll take courses like these in special education:
Education of Exceptional Children
Teaching Students with Disabilities
Assessment and Curriculum for Students with Disabilities
Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities
Professional Skills in Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education
Inclusion Strategies for Special Education Teachers
Methods in Intensive Educational Supports
Effective Assessment and Instruction in Reading for Diverse Learners
Practicum in Special EducationPrimary endorsement areas are listed on the teacher education program page.
Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Scholarships and financial aid
-
A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For all students at WSU
Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.
Click here for more info about WSU scholarships and financial aid
For education students
The College of Education distributes funds from 13 endowed scholarships to approximately 100 teacher education students every semester. Some of the scholarships with multiple recipients include the College of Education Alumni Association Scholarship, the Louise H. Meyer Scholarship, the Don and Julia Lee Scholarship, and the Claude Simpson and Peggy Simpson Yates Scholarship.
For more information about these scholarships, contact the College of Education at 509-335-7843 or beateacher@wsu.edu.