Bachelor of Science
Special Education and Literacy Studies
College of Education and Human DevelopmentBachelor of Science in Special Education
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The Special Education Program has extended its application deadline for the fall, 2013 undergraduate cohort. If you are interested in applying please submit all application materials directly to the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, 4571 Sangren Hall. Applications will be accepted until the cohort fills. If any further information is needed, please contact the Department Chair, Dr. Daniel Morgan or the SPED Program Coordinator, Dr. Sarah Summy .
Important information about the elimination of LS 3790
Changes to the Elementary Certificate Examination Writing Workshops for teachers
Undergraduate programs are available for the preparation of teachers in the areas of emotional impairments/learning disabilities (EI/LD) and cognitive impairments/learning disabilities (CI/LD), at either the elementary or secondary level of special education. Students completing the Bachelor of Science earn a State of Michigan Elementary Provisional Teaching Certificate (K-8) and an endorsement in one of the following areas:
- Emotional Impairments/Learning Disabilities (K-12)
- Cognitive Impairments/Learning Disabilities (K-12)
In addition, all students complete at least one minor, many of them leading to an additional endorsement at either the elementary or secondary level in a specific academic content area.
Course Requirements
| Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COM 1040 | Public Speaking | 3hrs |
| ED 2500 | Human Development | 3hrs |
| ENGL 3830 | Intermediate Reader | 4hrs |
| Pick one course: | ||
| HIST 2100 | American History to 1877 | 3 hrs |
| HIST 2110 | American History since 1877 | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 2000 | US Government | 3 hrs |
| MATH 1500 | Number Concepts | 4hrs |
| PSY 1000 | General Psychology | 3hrs |
| SPPA 2000 | Communication Disorders | 3hrs |
Course Req. After Acceptance into the upper Professional Level
| Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDT 3470 | Technology Elem | 2hrs |
| ES 3950 | School & Society | 3hrs |
| LS 3770 | Lit/Lang I | 3hrs |
| LS 3780 | Lit/ Lang II | 3hrs |
Curriculum Guide
Special Education Minor Choices (see undergraduate handbook)
Outside the Classroom
Intern Teaching Project in Germany
Student Council for Exceptional Children -Students interested in the field of special education have opportunities to participate in this organization.
Career Possibilities
With the Special Education option you will be certified to teach:
- Kindergarten - 12 Special Education in your areas
- Kindergarten - 5 in all subjects
- Grades 6 - 8 in second minor
- Kindergarten - 8 in all subjects when teaching in a self-contained classroom-- one in which the majority of instruction is provided by a single teacher.
Advanced Degrees
For students graduating with a B.S. in Special Education who wish to continue their education, Western Michigan University also offers master's programs in:
- Clinical Teacher
- Master Teacher
- Administration
- Doctorate of Special Education
- Practice of Teaching
- Socio-Cultural Studies of Education
Resource Guide
- Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments and Teaching Orientation and Mobility
- Career Connections Research Center
- Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC)
Resource Links
Special Education resources for career guidance and exploration