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Academic Areas & Divisions
Special Education
The Area of Special Education prepares students to effectively identify and solve major problems in the education of children and youth with disabilities.
We offer several options for graduate students interested in working with children and youth with disabilities. Visit the areas below to learn more about each program.
What area would you like to work in?
Working with Young Children with Disabilities
(Infants, Toddlers, Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children)
This course of study offers master-degree level training for those interested in working with very young children with special needs and their families. The program is designed to prepare students to be leaders in the community, working in a variety of early learning programs (e.g., Head Start), early intervention programs, and public schools.
Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities (Learning and Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities)
(Elementary and Secondary-aged students)
The course of study in SEHI-LED offers master-degree level training in special education and initial teacher certification or endorsement in special education. Within this larger program of study, students may choose one of three emphases: (a) initial teaching certification focused on students with disabilities with primarily academic difficulties, (b) initial teacher certification focused on students with disabilities with primarily emotional/behavioral difficulties, or (c) special education endorsement for those individuals who already hold a teaching certificate in the state of Washington.
Teaching Students with Severe or Low-Incidence Disabilities
(Elementary and Secondary-aged students)
The education of learners with low-incidence disabilities is a federal and state priority. Children and youth in this category have traditionally been the most underserved school population--those with intellectual disabilities, multiple handicaps, and autism. The goal of the Master’s program is to prepare teachers to work as members of educational teams to meet the individual needs of such individuals and their families.
Teaching Secondary Students with Disabilities
(Secondary-aged students)
The Secondary Special Education Endorsement Program is the University of Washington’s Graduate Endorsement-Only Program in Special Education. The Secondary Endorsement is designed for certificated teachers desiring to increase their capacity to teach students with disabilities; become special education teachers; or are currently working with special needs students in private settings.
Teaching in Elementary and Special Education
The Special Education-Elementary Teacher Education Program (SPED-TEP) leads to a Master’s degree and dual endorsement in special education and elementary education. Because graduates have the curriculum expertise of elementary and the specialized instructional knowledge of special education, this endorsement prepares teachers who are effective in teaching all types of students and who meet the federal Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) requirements for elementary school special education teachers.
Applied Behavior Analysis as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
The UW Special Education program offers Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) specialty tracks within the Master's Degree in special education, which are approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. These unique program options are the only BCBA approved courses of study in the state of Washington. Students who complete an option track and the approved practicum will qualify to take the BCBA exam. Students completing the practicum will be required to pay a supervision fee in addition to tuition. Students completing Pathway 1 or 3 DO NOT earn teacher certification.
There are three options within this program:
- Pathway 1—Stand Alone ABA Program Option
- Pathway 2—Teacher Certification + ABA Program Option
- Pathway 3—Distance Education ABA Program Option
Leadership in Higher Education or Administration at the Doctoral Level
Do you already have a Master's degree and are you interested in earning a Doctorate in Special Education to pursue research, university teaching, or administration? We offer a Ph.D. and Ed.D. program. Prospective students should contact the faculty member with research and teaching interests that are the closest match to their intended areas of study.
Special Education
Upcoming Events for Prospective Students
No Events Currently Scheduled
