Language, Literacy and Special Education Department Information
College of Education and Professional Studies
Ellensburg
Black Hall, room 101
Mail Stop 7406
509-963-2049
www.cwu.edu/language-literacy
See website for how these programs may be used for educational and career purposes
Faculty and Staff
Chair
Janet Finke, PhD
Professors
Carol Butterfield, PhD, literacy, TESL
Susan Donahoe, PhD, literacy
Dan Fennerty, EdD, special education
Janet Finke, PhD, literacy
Craig Hughes, PhD, bilingual education, TESL
Terrance McCain, PhD, bilingual education, TESL
Associate Professors
Yukari Amos, PhD, bilingual education, TESL
YiShan Lea, EdD, bilingual education, TESL
Janet Spybrook, EdD, special education
Sharryn Walker, PhD, literacy
Assistant Professors
Cristina Santamaria, PhD, special education
Lecturer
Jennifer Hale, MS, special education
Denise LaRoque, MeD, (ESL), literacy
Staff
Nancy Schnebly, secretary lead
Department Information
Major and/or minor programs in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Education include bilingual education/teaching English as a second language (TESL), literacy, and special education. The courses in these programs are designated by the course prefixes EDBL, EDLT, and EDSE, respectively.
In addition to major and/or minor in LLSE, students must complete the Professional Education Program. Students choosing to complete a major or minor without completing the Professional Education Program must have program approval at the time of declaration.
Students completing a special education major or minor must complete EDCS 424 if they are pursuing a secondary discipline-specific teaching major (or EDLT 308 for those also seeking an elementary-specific teaching major) as part of the Professional Education Program. All students completing a secondary discipline-specific program must complete EDCS 424. All other education department majors or minors do not require the completion of this course. Also, at least 75 percent of the endorsable major or minor must be completed prior to EDCS 442, Student Teaching.
Department Standards
All students completing an educational endorsement must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher for the last 45 graded credits. Students must also earn a minimum grade of C in all required education courses.
Special Education Majors
The special education majors offered are specifically designed to prepare teachers for meeting the diverse competencies required for teaching individuals with disabilities. Students electing special education teaching must follow one of the outlined programs. EDSE 302 must be taken prior to or concurrently with EDSE 311.
College of Education and Professional Studies Information
Administration and Organization
Dean
Paul Ballard, (Black Hall, room 228)
Associate Dean
Ethan Bergman, PhD RDN (Black Hall, room 228)
Associate Dean
VACANT (Black Hall, room 228)
Contact Information
509-963-1411
Fax: 509-963-1049
Mail Stop 7415
www.cwu.edu/education-professional-studies
The mission of the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) is to prepare competent, enlightened citizens who will enhance their respective professions, commit themselves to socially responsible leadership, and help develop the global economy in a spirit of cooperation. Each academic unit of the college has developed specific goals to address this mission.
Graduates of the College of Education and Professional Studies programs are Professionally Prepared and Profession Ready, or P3R. Graduates enter the job force right after graduation and make an immediate positive impact on their profession.
Education
The Education programs at CWU are all about preparing students to enter the greatest profession in the world….Teaching! Our Education programs approach learning in a supportive and positive environment where students and staff share responsibility for knowledge, and where students and staff value working and learning together. Graduates enter their teaching positions after graduation and make an immediate positive impact on the students they teach.
CEPS facilitates communication between and among the respective disciplines that contribute to the preparation of educators, including teachers, school administrators, and school psychologists. Supporting the mission, purpose, and governance structure of CEPS is the constructivist philosophy-a belief that knowledge is actively created by learners and made meaningful when learners relate new information to prior knowledge.
The Teacher Preparation Program is administered through CEPS. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission into the Teacher Preparation Program. Students must apply to the Teacher Preparation Program and meet specific application criteria before being admitted. For more information about the Teacher Certification process, link to www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/.
Professional Studies
The Professional Studies at Central Washington University strives to deliver innovative applied science and technology programs that develop competent globally responsible citizens who contribute to their respective professions. The vision of Professional Studies at CWU is to be recognized as a premier learning community dedicated to providing relevant and authentic learning experiences.
College of Education and Professional Studies programs value:
- Students
- Excellence in teaching
- A rigorous academic and learning environment
- The preparation of students for successful careers
- Accreditation and industry standards
- Applied research
- Creative, diverse and innovative ideas
- Open, collaborative environments
- Partnerships with external constituents
- The use of current technology
- Professionalism, integrity, and responsible citizenship
- Life balance
For more information about the Departments and Programs, go to the departments listed below.
The Department of Aerospace Students (AFROTC). CWU’s Air Force ROTC detachment is designed to recruit, educate and commission officer candidates with a mission of developing quality leaders for the Air Force.
The Department of Aviation is a regional leader in professional aviation education, attracting individuals with a passion for the combined art and science of flight. Established in 1975, it is the only fully accredited public university aviation program in the Pacific Northwest. The Department offers B.S. degrees in Aviation Management and Professional Pilot and has a stellar reputation for preparing students for the demands of the industry.
The Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum houses the Professional Education Program (PEP), Field Experiences, Instructional Foundations undergraduate degree, and Master Teacher Graduate Program.
The Department of Engineering Technologies, Safety and Construction Management offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in Construction Management, Safety and Health Management, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technologies, and Technology Education. The department also offers a Master’s of Science Degree in Engineering Technology.
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers degree programs in: Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising; Business and Marketing Education; Family and Consumer Sciences Education; Family Studies; Global Wine Studies; and Recreation, Tourism and Event Management. The department offers a graduate Master of Science with specializations in Family Studies and Career and Technical Education, and is the home of the International Sustainable Development Institute.
The Department of Health, Educational Administration and Movement Studies. Graduates in this department are prepared to enter careers as physical education and school health teachers or in a wide variety of public health/community settings. They also have master level degrees in School Administration, Instructional Leadership, Higher Education, Health, and Physical Education with a specialization in Athletic Administration.
The Department of Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM) offers high demand undergraduate and graduate programs blending technical skills with soft skills in the areas of Administrative Management, Information Technology, Web and Database Management, Retail Management Technology, Network Management, Project Management, and Cybersecurity. Degree programs are offered on campus, hybrid, 100% online, and self-paced competency based. Find out more: www.cwu.edu/it-management
The Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Education (LLSE) offers programs for teacher candidates interested in developing educational pK-12 specialties in Bilingual Education/Teaching English as a Second Language; Literacy (reading, writing, speaking, and listening); and Special Education. Each program leads to an endorsement for the Washington State teaching certificate.
The Department of Military Science (AROTC) houses the Army ROTC program at CWU. The mission of the Wildcat Battalion is to recruit, educate, coach, mentor and commission outstanding scholars, athletes and leaders inspired for service in our nation’s Army.
The Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences prepares students in a variety of professions that focus on the physical and functional abilities of humans including clinical physiology, exercise science, nutrition and dietetics, and paramedicine.
The Department of Teaching Elementary, Adolescent and Young Children (TEACH) is committed to ensuring graduates are prepared to be outstanding educational leaders and facilitators of learning who demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to educate and work within a diverse school population.
Department Chairs
Aerospace Studies (AFROTC): Richard Warr, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Peterson Hall, room 203)
Aviation: Sundaram Nataraja, PhD (Black Hall, room 225-1)
Educational Foundations and Curriculum: Ian Loverro, PhD (Black Hall, room 101)
Engineering Technologies, Safety and Construction: Lad Holden, Master of Technology (Hogue Hall, room 107)
Family and Consumer Sciences: Rob Perkins, EdD and Duane Dowd, PhD (Michaelsen Hall, room 100)
Health, Educational Administration, and Movement Studies: Heidi Henschel-Pellett, EdD (Dorothy Purser Hall, room 114)
Information Technology and Administrative Management: Robert Lupton, PhD (Shaw-Smyser Hall, room 203)
Language, Literacy, and Special Education: Janet Finke, PhD (Black Hall, room 204-6)
Military Science (AROTC): Jonathan Ackiss, Lt. Colonel (Peterson Hall, room 202G)
Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences: Keith Monosky, PhD (Dorothy Purser Hall, room 114)
Teaching Elementary, Adolescent and Young Children: Keith Salyer, PhD (Black Hall, room 101)