Special Education Endorsement FAQ's

The Special Education Endorsement Program for Certified Teachers is available at WWU's Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett and Renton locations. Contact the advisor listed for your preferred location for program information.

It is possible to complete the SPED Endorsement Program in four quarters if you attend full-time. However, you have flexibility in deciding how many credits you wish to enroll in each quarter. The number of courses you complete per quarter will impact the overall length and cost of your program.

SPED Endorsement Program courses in Bremerton and Everett are scheduled Monday – Thursday, one course per day, beginning at 5pm and lasting as late as 9pm. Summer coursework scheduled in the evenings over a 6-week term is required to complete the program.

Courses in Bellingham are primarily offered during daytime hours with some evening courses.

Contact the Renton location for information on course offerings.

It is possible to complete the SPED Endorsement Program in Bremerton and Everett while working full-time. You have flexibility in how many credits you enroll in each quarter to help with work/life/school balance.

As Bellingham courses are typically scheduled during daytime hours, modification to a full-time work schedule will likely be necessary.

Contact the advisor for the Renton location for information on completing the program while working full-time.

Special Education Endorsement students are enrolled in their selected courses on a space-available basis with priority enrollment given to degree-seeking students.

Each quarter the advisor for your location will reach out to confirm which courses you plan to enroll in. If you are a non-matriculated/non-degree seeking student you will complete a Schedule Adjustment Request form and submit it to your advisor who will complete the registration process on your behalf.

If you are a post-baccalaureate matriculated student, you may self-register for courses at your location using course information provided by your advisor.

If you are eligible to use the Washington State Tuition Waiver Program, you will submit a new form each quarter that is completed by your district and will be enrolled in your courses on a space available basis on the second day of the quarter.

The total cost of the SPED Endorsement Program is determined by the number of credits you select to enroll in each quarter. Western Washington University lists current rates on the Tuition and Fee Schedule page.

For Bremerton and Everett see the Location Programs and Self-Sutaining Tuition and Fee Rates > Location Programs State-Supported section of the page.

WWU typically adjusts tuition rates effective Fall quarter, announcing changes during  Summer quarter.

The Washington Student Achievement Council administers an Educator Retooling Conditional Scholarship of up to $3,000 per endorsement. This conditional scholarship supports Washington State certified educators seeking to add a shortage area endorsement to their certificate. See their website for complete details.

Permanent state employees who are employed half-time or more and who meet WWU admission requirements may be eligible for WWU’s State Employee Tuition/Fee Waiver Program. The complete guidelines and application are available from your advisor. A form must be submitted each quarter, Fall through Spring, during which your enroll in up to 6 quarter credits. The tuition waiver program is not available for Summer courses.

Students typically register to take the state required West-E Special Education (70) content test during the last quarter of the program or after completing all required courses in the program. See the Washington Educator Skills Tests site for details on registering for, scheduling, and preparing to take your test.

While you are taking courses at WWU you may be eligible to self-enroll in a Mometrix Test Preparation course that includes West-E materials at no cost. Contact your advisor for details.

Under specific conditions, the Office of Superintendent of Instruction allows districts who are unable to recruit and hire individuals with a special education endorsement to hire candidates who have begun a special education endorsement program.

This Special Education Pre-Endorsement process must be initiated by the hiring district and is available to certified teachers who have completed 240 clock hours or 24 quarter credits directly related to special education endorsement. All remaining clock hours or credits and passing of the West-E Special Education (70) content test must be completed within three years.

Candidates who have completed all coursework and have passed the West-E may begin to apply for positions while WWU and the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Instruction recommend and process the addition of the Special Education Endorsement to their existing Washington teaching certificate.