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Spotlights

Special Education - Certification and Minor Information

Required Certification Areas

All Special Education Students must complete coursework in the four certification areas listed below:

1. Elementary Education
   Eligible Certifications:
   
   • Kindergarten-5 in all subjects
   • Kindergarten-8 in all subjects when teaching in a self-contained classroom—one in which the majority of instruction is provided by a single teacher
2. Learning Disabilities
   Eligible Certification: Kindergarten-12 Special Education (Learning Disabilities)
3. Emotional Impairment OR Cognitive Impairment
   Eligible Certification: Kindergarten-12 Special Ed (Emotional Impairment OR Cognitive Impairment)
4. One Content Area Minor selected from the list below:

Eligible Certification: Grades 6-8		Eligible Certification: 6-12
		Biology	Geography	Physics
Elem/Middle Language Arts		Chemistry	German	Political Science
Elem/Middle Mathematics		Earth Science	History	Russian
Elem/Middle Science		English	Latin	Spanish
		French	Mathematics

Additional Optional Certification Areas:
Special Education Students can also choose to complete additional certification requirements for:

• Early Childhood (Eligible Certification: (ZS) Pre-school/young fives programs)
• Health Education (Eligible Certification: Grades 6-12)
• Physical Education (Eligible Certification: Grades 6-12)
• Industrial Technology (Eligible Certification: Grades (6-12)

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN SPECIAL (ADAPTED) PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Undergraduates interested in teaching adapted physical education should complete either 1) a bachelor's degree in Special Education or 2) a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and then complete a master's degree or additional endorsement in Special (Adapted) Physical Education. For more information about Special (Adapted) Physical Education visit: http://www.wmich.edu/coe/hper/special-adapted/

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: Undergraduates interested in teaching children with visual impairments are encouraged to complete a bachelor's degree in regular elementary education and then a master's degree in TCVI. For more information on the MA in TCVI, visit: Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments and Teaching Orientation and Mobility