Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching
Contact Us
Department of Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching
Miller Hall 200
Phone: 360.650.3330
E-mail: elit@wwu.edu
Welcome!
We believe that all people can live, learn, play, and work together in inclusive communities.
The Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching Department offers exemplary faculty, small class sizes, and extensive field experiences. Candidates complete their programs of study as thoughtful, knowledgeable, and effective professionals.
Formerly the Department of Special Education and Education Leadership.
Please read further to explore our various program offerings, spanning from teaching certificates, additional endorsements for teachers, principals certifications, and much more!
Education Leadership Exceptionality and Disability Inclusive Education Teacher Scholars Special Education and Elementary Education Special Education Plus Content Special Education Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement-Certified Teachers Outreach Programs
Education Leadership
The Education Leadership Programs are designed to prepare effective principals, superintendents, and P-12 district-level leaders for a diverse society.
Several program options are available:
- Masters Degree in Education Leadership;
- Residency Principal Certificate for aspiring assistant principals and principals;
- Initial Administrator Certificate for candidates who aspire to district-level leadership positions, including the role of superintendent;
- An EdD, which is typically linked to the Initial Administrator Certificate
Upon successful completion of program requirements, candidates receive a master's degree and/or are recommended for Residency Administrator Certificate (Principal), or the Initial Administrator Certificate (Superintendent).
Master's and Residency Principal Certification programs are offered in Bellingham; as well as off-campus locations throughout the Puget Sound.
The master's degree and EdD in Education Leadership are also offered in British Columbia.
The Initial Administrator Certification (superintendent) and EdD programs are offered in Everett.
All programs are highly relational and professionally supportive.
The programs emphasize leadership and management related to curriculum, school instruction, personnel, staff/community relations, school finance, and legal matters.
Exceptionality and Disability
The Exceptionality and Disability major is designed for motivated and self-driven students who are interested in working with individuals (e.g. children, youth and adults) with disabilities outside of traditional school settings. We support local organizations, and community settings by having our students experience working with individuals in diverse settings. Students have the ability to explore this pathway through either a major (BAE) or a minor.
Inclusive Education Teacher Scholars
The Woodring Inclusive Education Teacher Scholars Program is a Route 1 Alternative Route cohort-based teacher training program that leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Education with a Washington State Residency Certificate with dual endorsements in Special Education (P-12) and Elementary Education. This program is for Kent School District and Highline Public Schools employees. Available to current employees (instructional staff) and new applicants.
Special Education P-12 and Elementary Education K-8 (Dual Endorsement) BAE
If you want to be an elementary classroom teacher and/or a special education teacher, this program is for you.
At the end of your program, you will be qualified to apply for two endorsements, one in special education and one in elementary education. These endorsements prepare you to be a general education teacher (e.g., 4th grade classroom teacher) with the skills to meet the needs of all your students, including those at-risk for school failure and those with disabilities. Furthermore, you will be prepared to be a special education teacher (e.g., resource room) with expert knowledge of the general classroom operations and communications.
Special Education P-12 Plus Content Endorsement (Dual Endorsement) BAE
If you want to be a regular classroom teacher in a secondary setting (e.g., middle school math, high school English, etc.) and/or a special education teacher with unique skills, especially in instructional methods and transitions from school to community, this program is for you.
At the end of your program, you will be qualified to apply for two endorsements, one in special education and one in your secondary level content area (middle school math, high school English, etc.). These endorsements prepare you to be a regular secondary education teacher, specializing in a specific subject(s) with the skills to meet the needs of all your students, including those at-risk for school failure and those with disabilities. Furthermore, you will be prepared to be a special education teacher (e.g., resource room) with expert knowledge of the general secondary classroom operations and responsibilities.
Special Education Early Childhood P-3 Early Childhood Education P-3 (Dual Endorsement) BAE
If you want to be an early childhood classroom teacher (pre-school through 3rd grade) and/or an early childhood special education teacher (pre-school through 3rd grade), this program is for you.
At the end of your program, you will be qualified to apply for two endorsements, one in early childhood special education and one in early childhood education. These endorsements prepare you to be an early childhood general education teacher (e.g., P – 3 in community or school based early childhood settings or in primary grades in public school) with the skills to meet the needs of all your students, including those at-risk for school failure and those with disabilities. Furthermore, you will be prepared to be an early childhood special education teacher with expert knowledge of the general classroom operations and communications.
Special Education Endorsement Program for Certified Teachers
This program is designed for teachers who hold a valid Washington State teaching certificate and wish to obtain an additional endorsement in Special Education (P-12). The program provides coherent preparation in all areas of the Special Education curriculum as well as practical experience. Successful completion of the program leads to recommendation to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the P-12 Special Education Endorsement.
Teacher Education Outreach Programs
Students who are interested in seeking a teacher certification, but are located outside of the Bellingham area, close to either Everett or Bremerton. As part of Western’s nontraditional teacher preparation program, students who hold a transferable Associate of Arts Degree (DTA) from a Washington State community college, have satisfied Western’s General University Requirements, or have a bachelor’s degree, can apply to join.