Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 Graduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Language, Literacy, and Special Education Department


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Ellensburg
Black Hall, room 205

509-963-2049
Fax: 509-963-1162

The Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Education prepares socially responsible practitioner scholars to work and learn within diverse contexts; fostering language, literacy, and learning for all.

Faculty and Staff
Chair

Craig Hughes, PhD

Professors
Carol Butterfield, PhD, elementary education, reading, bilingual education, TESL
Dan Fennerty, EdD, special education
Gail Goss, EdD, reading
Connie Lambert, PhD, special education
David Majsterek, EdD, special education, early childhood education
Alberta Thyfault, PhD, special education

Associate Professors
Janet Finke, PhD, literacy
Craig Hughes, PhD, bilingual education, TESL
Terrance McCain, PhD, bilingual education, TESL
Andrea C. Sledge, PhD, literacy

Assistant Professors
Yukari Amos, PhD, bilingual education
YiShan Lea, EdD, bilingual education, TESL
Cristina Santamaria, PhD, special education
Janet Spybrook, EdD, special education
Sharryn Walker, PhD, literacy
Sandra Wentworth, PhD, special education

Staff
Nancy Schnebly

General Information
The master of education degree programs are designed primarily for elementary and secondary school teachers and school service personnel. Since the program may also prepare the student for community college teaching and for advanced study, the student should seek advice from the program advisors. For advice regarding specializations, contact the department.

Admission Requirements
In addition to general requirements for admission to master’s programs, students desiring admission to programs in education must meet departmental requirements. Members of the appropriate program will review the student’s application materials from the Office of Admissions and, if deemed necessary, may meet with the student before a recommendation for admission can be made.

Required Educational Foundations and Research Courses
EDF 510 is required of all students earning the MEd degree. The candidate further must choose at least six credits from the following: EDF 501, Educational Foundations, EDF 502, History of Education, EDF 503, Philosophy of Education, EDF 504, Advanced Educational Statistics, EDF 505, Educational Measurement for Teachers, EDF 506, Education Futurism, EDF 507, Studies and Problems in Intercultural Education, EDF 508, Comparative Education, EDF 567, Educational Change, PSY 552, Advanced Human Growth and Development, PSY 559, Advanced Educational Psychology (only one of PSY 552 or PSY 559 may be included to meet the foundations requirement), SOC 525, Society and Education, as approved by the student’s graduate advisor or committee chair. Related courses may be substituted with permission of the student’s graduate advisor or committee chair, the chair of the appropriate department and the dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Master of Education: Reading Specialist
The following college-level courses should be taken prior to enrollment in the specialization courses and may not be counted as part of the required credits in the reading specialist program:
Basic Reading Course
Basic Language Arts Course
Basic Children’s Literature Course

Prerequisite: A minimum of one year of successful, contracted teaching experience in a K-12 classroom setting is required for admission to the Reading Specialist Program. One of the three required recommendation forms for admission to the Reading Specialist Program must come from the applicant’s current or most recent principal or designee.
Program: The student will complete at least 45 credits as outlined in an approved course of study filed with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The development of a course of study most appropriate to the professional goals and purposes of each individual student must be completed and approved by a program advisor or committee chair upon the completion of 15 credits.

Master of Education: Special Education
The master of education with specialization in special education is designed to allow students to pursue graduate-level study in the various areas of special education.

Prerequisites: Students must have an institutional endorsement in special education. Students without an institutional endorsement will be required to complete the endorsement prior to the final exam for their master’s degree. Anyone wanting to complete a master’s degree without a special education teaching certificate must have special education faculty permission.
Program: Students will complete at least 45 credits of approved graduate level coursework. The course of study will be developed in consultation with their major advisor from special education and filed with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

Post-baccalaureate University Certificate: Teaching and Linguistic Diversity
Students entering the public school setting speaking little or no English are the fastest growing segment of the school population. Most mainstream teachers have received little or no special training in preparing them for these students. This program will provide the opportunity for practicing teachers to receive this needed training. This training will take place through the development and implementation of four courses. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to explain how programs have come to exist as they are found today, document the theories upon which sound educational practices are based, develop and implement quality instruction, organize and use appropriate assessment procedures, and use paraprofessional and community members as quality assets in the classroom. While the program itself does not constitute a state of Washington endorsement, all courses could be applied to the completion of endorsement requirements at Central.

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