SPLS
SPLS Admissions
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 assure 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.
Minimum criteria for admission include:
- Completion of 56 hours (winter semester hours may be counted)
- Completion of all Western Michigan University Intellectual Skills Development requirements (e.g. MATH 1090, ED 1040, ENG 1000, if required)
- Completion of an approved college level writing course
- Completion of ED 2500, Human Development, or an approved course with a grade of "C" or better
- Achievement of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or better at the time of application
- Achievement of acceptable scores on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) - Basic Skills section at the time of application
- Documentation of thirty clock hours of experience with person(s) with a disability
- Documentation of current TB test
- Completion and submission of College of Education application for admission by January 15 to the College of Education Office of Admissions and Advising, 2504 Sangren Hall.
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, under-represented group membership, 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 curriculum guide.
