BAE with a Dual Endorsement in Special Education & Elementary Education

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About

The Dual Endorsement Program in Special Education and Elementary Education prepares you for teaching in the elementary grades (kindergarten to grade 8) as well as in special education classes (birth to age 21). In this program, you’ll complete the Washington state requirements for an endorsement in special education and in elementary education.

View Requirements

Application Process

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Dual Endorsement Program in Special Education and Elementary Education Major, Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE)

You must complete the Elementary Education Core requirements (with the exception of EDUC 308) and the following Special Education Requirements.

Required Special Education Courses
SPED 420PRINCIPLES OF BEHAVIOR FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS4
SPED 421CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SETTINGS4
SPED 460SPECIAL EDUCATION METHODS4
SPED 461SPECIALLY DESIGNED INSTRUCTION FOR HIGH INCIDENCE DISABILITIES4
SPED 462METHODS FOR TEACHING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM AND SEVERE DISABILITIES4
SPED 466TRANSITION FOR STUDENTS W/DISABILITIES4
SPED 470SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT4
SPED 480INCLUSIONARY PRACTICES AND COLLABORATION4
SPED 488SPECIAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM (must be repeated )6
Required Senior Capstone
SPED 490SPECIAL EDUCATION CAPSTONE (or other approved capstone)4
Total Credits42

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
EDUC 2013ENGL 2015MATH 2094
ENGL 1015MATH 2085SPED 3634
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Humanities & Arts BACR 215Natural Science BACR 115
 13 15 13
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CMST 340 (Diversity - graduation requirement)5ART 3903MUSC 4503
MATH 2104PSYC 2045PHED 3903
Social Science BACR 115Natural Science BACR 215Social Science BACR 215
 Elective - minor or general elective4Global Studies - graduation requirement15
 14 17 16
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
EDUC 3043EDUC 3033SPED 4214
SPED 4204EDUC 3104SPED 4614
SPED 4604EDUC 3384SPED 4664
SPED 4804EDUC 3404SPED 4883
 EDUC 386A2 
 15 17 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
EDUC 3804EDUC 386C5EDUC 42315
EDUC 3814SPED 4624 
EDUC 386B2SPED 4704 
SPED 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)4SPED 4883 
 14 16 15
Total Credits 180
1
University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

Students who earn a BAE–Dual Endorsement Program in Special Education and Elementary Education from EWU should be able to:

  • administer, interpret, use, and communicate assessment information in the delivery of special education services;
  • collaborate with families, teachers, school staff, and the community in the delivery of special education services;
  • deliver specially designed instruction that meets Federal and WA State legal requirements, is evidence-based, and improves the lives of students with disabilities;
  • support the inclusion of students with disabilities in the K-12 public school system;
  • demonstrate an understanding about the field of demonstrate special education and disabilities as measured content knowledge competencies by passing the WA State Exit exam (currently the NES) the WEST-E Exam;
  • demonstrate the ability to think critically about current issues and research in the fields of education and special education and apply this information to problems of practice;
  • produce legally correct and professionally appropriate special education documents (i.e., IEPs, evaluation reports, FBAs, PBS Plans, and lessons plans) and communicate the contents of these documents as appropriate and needed for the delivery of special education services.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

All prerequisites must be completed prior to admission: Contact the Undergraduate Advisor in the School of Education.

Admission Requirements

  • Complete all in-person and online admission requirements.
  • A grade of ≥C in Mathematics prerequisites.
  • A grade ≥B- in all other prerequisite courses listed below is required.
  • GPA Requirement: a minimum overall ≥2.8 GPA.
  • Provide scores for the Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B), SAT, and/or ACT (Reading, Writing, and Math). This is a state requirement that must be met before full admission.

In addition to the above, the following are prerequisites specific to programs and certificates.

Elementary Education Program Prerequisites

  • Education: EDUC 201 and SPED 363 or an approved equivalent
  • English: ENGL 201  or an approved equivalent
  • Mathematics: Students will be required to complete MATH 210, or  an approved equivalent, as prerequisites before starting the program.
  • Social Studies: SOST 300
  • Speech: CMST 201 or CMST 340  or an approved equivalent
  • Other: ART 390 , MUSC 450 , PHED 390 , PSYC 204   or an approved equivalent
  • All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last 6 years. 

P-3 Blended: Early Childhood/Special Education Program Prerequisites

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (Candidate holds a BA/BS from an approved institution)

Elementary

Secondary

Transition to Teaching Alternative Route: Consult with the Transition to Teaching Director in the School of Education.

Grade Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

Admission Overall GPA ≥2.8
Maintain GPA ≥2.8 in program

  • A grade of ≥C in Mathematics prerequisites.
  • A grade ≥B- in all other prerequisite courses
  • ≥B- in education core
  • Specific content areas including majors and minors may have additional grade requirements

A minimum grade ≥C is required in any content course leading to a secondary, middle level, or P-12 endorsement  

Graduate Programs

Automatic Admission GPA ≥3.0
Maintain GPA ≥3.0 in program

  • Maximum of two C grades

Applied Learning Opportunities

A child painting in class

  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning/Simulation: Strengthen your decision-making skills through simulations, case studies, role playing, and other hands-on activities in the classroom.
  • Community-Based Projects: Partner with local organizations on meaningful projects that give you opportunities to solve problems and make a positive impact. 
  • Field Work & Practicums: Develop practical, hands-on skills in structured field placements required for professional certification.
  • Service-Learning Experiences: Contribute to your community through work that addresses important local issues while connecting directly to your classroom learning.
  • Undergraduate Research: Collaborate with faculty on research projects as you investigate questions and analyze findings and results.
  • Volunteerism: Give back to your community while gaining experience, building connections, and seeing how you can apply your classroom knowledge to make an impact in the world.