SPLS
SPLS Admissions
Special Education Undergraduate
Admissions
Bachelor of Science in Special Education
All students declaring a preference for a curriculum leading to a teaching certificate (including Special Education majors) will be assigned a pre-education (PED) designator at the time of admission to the University. This status, however, does not ensure admission to the Professional Education Curriculum in the Special Education Program. The selection of a set number of students into the Professional Education Curriculum in Special Education occurs each January after a program faculty committee reviews all applications.
Pre-special education students are advised in the College of Education and Human Development Office of Admissions and Advising 2504 Sangren Hall, (269) 387-3474
Application Deadline: February 1
The following must be completed prior to the application deadline:
- Ability to complete 56 credits by the end of Spring semester
- All Western Michigan University Intellectual Skills Development requirements (e.g. MATH 1090, ED 1040, ENG 1000) if required
- An approved college level writing course
- ED 2500: Human Development, or an approved course, with a grade of "C" or better
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5
- Thirty clock hours of experience with person(s) with a disability
- A current TB test
- Passing scores on the Basic Skills Test of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)**
- Livescan Background Check ***
- College of Education and Human Development Admissions Application
**Students who take the Basic Skills Test in January, must e-mail their unofficial test results by February 8.
***Students must present proof of completion of the livescan background check with their application if the Office of Admissions and Advising has not received their results by February 1.
Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted by February 1 to:
Office of Admissions and Advising
College of Education and Human Development
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
2504 Sangren Hall
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5275
All completed applications are evaluated using the following criteria:
- 40 percent weighting based on grade point average at the time of application.
- 30 percent weighting based on performance on the Michigan Basic Skills Test (state required literacy test in Reading, Writing and Mathematics)
- 10 percent weighting each for semester hours completed and other criteria
Students selected for admission comprise a cohort that begins taking courses in the Special Education sequence the following fall semester. The four semesters of Special Education coursework must be taken in the prescribed sequence. For special course requirements, see the undergraduate catalog and the special education program guide.
