WMU Special Education Program

Undergraduate program
Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education
Upon completion of this five-year program, graduates will be eligible for Michigan teacher certification in Elementary Education K-5, Elementary Education K-8 (self-contained), Special Education endorsements in Learning Disabilities (K-12) and Emotional Impairment (K-12). Students will have the option to earn a minor in the core content areas.

Graduate Programs
Master’s Degree in Special Education with a First Endorsement – Clinical Teacher Option
At the graduate level students may earn first endorsements in one of the following areas: Autism, Cognitive Impairment, Emotional Impairment, and Learning Disabilities. Students interested in a first endorsement should apply to our Clinical Teacher program indicating their area of endorsement. Each endorsement is a minimum of thirty credit hours. A Master’s degree with a first endorsement is a minimum thirty-six credit hours.

Master’s Degree in Special Education with a Second or Additional Endorsement or concentration area—Master Teacher Option
At the graduate level students may earn a second or additional endorsements in the following areas: Autism, Cognitive Impairment, Emotional Impairment, and Learning Disabilities. Students may also earn a concentration as a Behavior Specialist. Students interested in any of these areas should apply to our Master Teacher program indicating their area of interest. Each endorsement is a minimum of twenty credit hours. A Master’s degree with a second or additional endorsement or concentration is a minimum of thirty credit hours.

Master's Degree in Special Education Administration
At the graduate level students may earn a master’s degree in Special Education Administration. Students interested in this program will need to have at least one endorsement in special education or related area. Students should apply to our Special Education Administration program that is a minimum of 31 credit hours. Students who earn this degree must also take a sequence of 25 credit hours in Educational Leadership to receive a State approval as a Special Education Supervisor or Director and a Central Office Certificate. There is the option to earn a K-12 Principalship with additional credits instead of the Central Office Certificate.

Doctoral Degree in Special Education (Ed.D)
This program is designed for students who have earned a Master’s degree in special education or related area and completed one endorsement area in Special Education. Students interested in this program should carefully read the criteria necessary to apply to the program.