Multilingual Special Education
Accepting Inquiries for Summer 2026!
Want to learn more about this program or have individual questions? Reach out to Christie McLean (mcleanc@wwu.edu) or Richard Dunn (dunnr4@wwu.edu) to schedule a time to meet!
Questions about program admission requirements, financial aid, or scholarships? Reach out to Miranda Myers Barker (myersbm@wwu.edu).
Upcoming Information Sessions
- Wednesday, November 19, 5-5:45
- Wednesday, December 10- 5-5:45
- Thursday, January 22, 5-5:45
- Tuesday, February 24, 5-5:45
- Monday, March 16, 5-5:45
Become a Multilingual Special Education Scholar!
Our Multilingual Special Education program (MSPED) is an Alternative Route, teacher training program (Route 1). This cohort-based program leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) in Multilingual Special Education. The program prepares candidates for a Washington State Residency Certificate with dual endorsements in Special Education (P-12) and English Language Learners (ELL) (P-12) and/or Bilingual Education (BE) (P-12). This bachelor's completion program supports employed paraeducators seeking to become certified P-12 special education teachers.
Program Highlights
- Work while you learn in this job-embedded program
- Small, supportive cohort model
- Collaborative, hands-on learning environment
- Assets based approach building on strengths; preparation to help all learners thrive
- Focus on language, culture, and educational equity
- Strong mentorship from application to graduation by both university and school-based educators
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) recommended program
What Makes MSPED Support Unique?
We are here to support you! Whether you are ready to apply to the program this year, or for a future cohort, we are happy to work with you throughout your journey to becoming a teacher. Our candidates tell us the support this program provides helps them remove barriers, navigate the complexities of higher education, and feel prepared to become a new teacher.
- Our program mentors, Christie McLean and Richard Dunn, would love to meet with you to discuss your goals, your questions, and if our program is a good fit for you. Reach out to Christie McLean mcleanc@wwu.edu & Richard Dunn dunnr4@wwu.edu.
- Our Student Transfer Success Specialist, Miranda Myers Barker, will help determine if you are eligible to apply now or in the future. Miranda is happy to work with you, as an advisor, as you continue taking classes to complete any needed admission requirements. Reach out to Miranda Myers Barker myersbm@wwu.edu.
Why Multilingual Special Education?
Students who are dual identified to receive special education and multilingual support services need teachers with specialized training. This is especially true as multilingual education and dual language programs are growing throughout Washington state. School districts are in need of inclusive education teachers who are highly trained in methods of integrating content and language teaching. Our Multilingual Special Education program bridges these two unique fields so that teachers can effectively serve all students. In addition, both special education and multilingual education are areas of significant teacher shortage across the state and nation. This means there are more open positions every year than teachers with these certifications. You can be part of the solution!
Program Structure
Our unique program structure allows you to work while you learn in a supportive cohort. Features include:
- Candidates employed as paraeducators in partner districts
- Available to current employees and new applicants
- 8-quarter, full-time, accelerated program*
- Convenient location at the WWU Renton site housed within the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD)
- Most courses held face-to-face on weekday evenings (Monday-Thursday) 5:00pm-8:50pm
- Schedule includes occasional online or hybrid courses
- A new cohort is projected to start each summer quarter
| Next cohort starts summer 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| 2026-2027 | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| 2027-2028 | Quarter 5 | Quarter 6 | Quarter 7 | Quarter 8 |
*Extended part-time programs are available on an individualized basis.
Next Steps
Please contact us early so that we can help ensure that you are ready to start. See admission requirements and prerequisites, sample cost breakdowns, and financial resources. Please reach out for more information and next steps.
Contact Us:
- Program Director, Aaron Perzigian, PhD, perziga@wwu.edu; (360) 650-4349
- Program Mentors, Christie McLean mcleanc@wwu.edu & Richard Dunn dunnr4@wwu.edu
Transfer Student Success Specialist, Miranda Myers Barker; myersbm@wwu.edu, (360) 650-6292
We look forward to meeting you!