Special Education Endorsement Program
The Special Education Endorsement Program (SPED) prepares educators who are ethical, reflective, student-centered, technologically-adept, collaborative and sensitive to issues of diversity and culture, to teach and manage the education of students with special needs. All of these attributes align with Willamette University Conceptual Framework and uphold TSPC, INTASC, and NCATE standards of excellence in specialty preparation areas. Designed with educators in mind, participants in this program will enhance their ability to respond positively, creatively and proactively to increasing achievement demands placed on students with special needs.
The program consists of graduate-level credits, which will be taken over 14 months (starting one summer and going through the following summer). The program is a cohort model thus laying the groundwork for candidates for develop networks and supportive, collaborative relationships with peers also pursing this complex and demanding specialty area of instructions. It is recommended that applications are completed by February 1.
Program Highlights
- Mixed format (face-to-face and online course delivery) with night and weekend classes
- Typical completion in 14 months
- Extensive hands-on practicum
- $595/credit (starting summer 2013)
Program Completion
- 14 required courses for a total of 28 semester credits
- Passing of ORELA Special Education exam
- Two practicum/internships in schools with endorsed Special Education professional, on-site and University supervisor
Course Requirements
- Students must take all required courses in sequence starting in the summer
- The two required practicum/internships in schools are during the fall and spring semesters
- Development of a professional portfolio of Special Education methods and administration ideas and plans
- Click here to see the current course schedule
- Click here to see the 2013-14 course schedule
Course Calendar
| Semester | Course Number and Title | Credits |
| Summer 1 | SPED 554: Language Development and Language Disorders | 2 |
| SPED 562: Diagnosis and Curriculum (Functional) | 2 | |
| SPED 563: Diagnosis and Curriculum (Academic) | 2 | |
| SPED 591A: Port. Dev: Classroom Methods | 1 | |
| SPED 591B: Port. Dev: Program Development | 1 | |
| Fall | SPED 556: Ed of Except: LD/SED/ADHD/Sever/Low Incidence | 2 |
| SPED 564: Special Education Law | 2 | |
| SPED 565: Tech: Special Ed Instruction | 1 | |
| SPED 580A: Supervised Teaching/Internship: Research Techniques | 2 | |
| Spring | SPED 555: Basic Skills for Students with Disabilities | 2 |
| SPED 559: Medical Aspects | 2 | |
| SPED 567: Tech: Assistive Devices | 1 | |
| SPED 580B: Supervised Teaching/Internship: Action/Summary/Reflection | 2 | |
| SPED 557: Parents, Community & School Collaboration | 2 | |
| SPED 561: Managing Difficult Behaviors | 2 | |
| SPED 568: Collaboration/Consultation Skills for Special Educations | 2 |
Please contact Sue Crothers, scrother@willamette.edu, 503-370-6575, for questions.