Multilingual Special Education
Last Call for the Summer '25 Admission Cycle!
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!
Teacher Shortage Conditional Scholarship: Application is open 3/19/25-4/30/25 (5pm), for those applying to the program. Awards are up to $8000 per year for Fall 2025 awards.
Questions about program admission requirements, financial aid, or scholarships? Reach out to Miranda Myers Barker (myersbm@wwu.edu).
Become a Multilingual Special Education Scholar!
The Multilingual Special Education program (MSPED) is a Route 1 Alternative Route cohort-based teacher training program that leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Multilingual Special Education with 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 completion program supports employed paraeducators seeking to become certified K-8 teachers.
Program Highlights
- Candidates employed as paraeducators in partner districts
- Maintain regular salary and benefits
- Available to current employees and new applicants
- WWU Renton campus located at Puget Sound Educational Service District
- Most courses held face-to-face weekday evenings
- Full-time, accelerated program
- 8 quarters to completion (2 academic years including summers)
- A new cohort is projected to start each year (summer quarter)
- 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
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?
Special education and multilingual education are areas of significant teacher shortage across the state and nation. This Multilingual Special Education program addresses teacher shortages and trains future teachers in best practices in both special and multilingual education. There is a significant and growing need for educators trained to work with students who are eligible for both special education and multilingual development support/services. Pursuit of a major in Multilingual Special Education can uniquely position you to respond to this need!
Program Structure
This is an 8-quarter, full-time program. Most in-person classes are held on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) 5:00pm-9:00pm at the PSESD in Renton, WA. Generally classes are held face-to-face; occasionally, classes may be taught as hybrid or synchronous online courses. Summer quarter schedules may vary.*
| BTF Cohort 7 (starts summer 2025!) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | Summer* | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| 2025-2026 | Program Start Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| 2026-2027 | Quarter 5 | Quarter 6 | Quarter 7 | Program Finish Quarter 8 |
Extended part time programs are available on an individualized basis. Please reach out for more information!
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!