You should choose a focus in Elementary Special Education or Secondary Special Education. This will drive the courses you take for certification as well as your placements during student teaching. Basic requirements for certification are the same and listed below, but the certification courses vary based on emphasis.
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Second Endorsement
As of Autumn 2013, Washington state requires that teacher candidates pursing an endorsement in Special Education must also earn a second endorsement in a content area.
Pursuing a content endorsement will also ensure that Special Education teachers meet the federal Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) requirement. Special Education majors will work with the Certification Advisor to develop a "Plan of Study" for earning a second endorsement. Please make an appointment with the Certification Advisor as soon as possible to begin working on this plan.
For a complete overview of the Residency Teacher Certification Program, visit the School of Education website.
Foundations Quarter
The following Foundations prerequisites apply to EDU 2300. It is recommended that students take EDU 2100 concurrently with EDU 2300 whenever possible.
All Foundations courses must be passed with a 3.0 (鈥淏鈥�) average and no grade lower than a 2.0 (鈥淐鈥�).
Foundations prerequisites include:
- Official admission to SPU
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Sophomore standing (45 credits)
- Minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA or 3.0 GPA in last 30 credits
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Completed Foundations packet (contact the education office to obtain paperwork)
- "Foundations" appointment with the Certification Advisor completed or scheduled and confirmed
- Approved general psychology or general sociology class with a minimum 2.0 GPA (鈥淐鈥�)
- Post baccalaureate students only: Passing score on the Washington state basic skills test (WEST-B), Washington state educators' endorsement test (WEST-E/NES), and transcript evaluation by the School of Education
Methods and Skills Courses
These courses may be taken independently of each other and the professional quarters. Courses must be completed prior to Methods quarter. See School of Education for more details.
Students must receive a minimum 2.0 GPA (鈥淐鈥�) in all Methods and Skills courses to be recommended for certification.
Methods Quarter
Methods quarter is only offered autumn quarter. A minimum GPA of 2.0 ("C") is required in all methods courses
Methods prerequisites include:
- Successful completion of the Foundations Quarter with a 3.0 (鈥淏鈥�) average and no grade lower than a 2.0 (鈥淐鈥�)
- Senior standing (135 credits)
- Acceptance into the Special Education major
- Applied to the Residency Teacher Certification program and admitted to the School of Education program
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or 3.3 in the last 45 credits
- Pass the School of Education interview (if taking Foundations autumn 2012 or later)
- Receive a favorable recommendation from SPU faculty and staff
- Pass ENG 3301 with a minimum 2.0 GPA (鈥淐鈥�) or better (if admitted to the University autumn 2012 or later)
- Pass MAT 1560, MAT 2561, MAT 3562, and EDRD 2000 with a 2.0 (鈥淐鈥�) or better
- Fingerprint and pre-residency clearance completed
- Official passing score on the testing requirement for teachers or official ACT/SAT scores meeting the minimum requirement for reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Take the appropriate for each endorsement being earned.
Integrated and Internship Quarters
Students must take Integrated and Internship quarters sequentially in the same academic year (offered winter-spring).
A minimum 3.0 GPA ("B") is required for Special Education Internships A and B.
Integrated and Internship prerequisites include:
- Successful completion of the Methods Quarter with no grade lower than a 2.0 ("C")
- Completion of 15 upper-division Special Education credits
- Maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA or a 3.3 in the last 45 credits throughout both quarters
- Official passing score on the appropriate test(s)
- SPU should have official passing scores at least ONE quarter prior to registering for Integrated Quarter. Official passing scores must be received by SPU before students will be given permission to register for Integrated Quarter.on the appropriate Washington educator skills endorsement test(s)
- Completion of EDU 3942
Apply to the Major
For major application requirements for Special Education: Elementary Emphasis or Secondary Emphasis please see Special Education major page.