Join the International Year One program at Western Washington University! Prepare for a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a focus on exceptionality and disability. Apply now!
Program Description The International Year program will provide you with the solid foundation you need to be successful in your university degree. Offered as a one, two, or three quarter program, you will study a range of subjects to develop your language and study skills, while focusing on your chosen field. After successfully completing your International Year, you will be able to progress to your undergraduate degree at Western. Many professionals work with persons with disabilities in a variety of venues other than schools and do not require the same pedagogical knowledge base expected of special education teachers. However, to effectively advocate for and work with individuals with disabilities, it is imperative that professionals have a solid background in a variety of topics central to the provision of supports for individuals with disabilities. Completion of the Exceptionality and Disability major results in a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) but graduates do not qualify for a teaching certificate. Students who complete this major typically want to work with individuals with disabilities in a variety of non-school settings, such as health and human services, behavioral support clinics, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The college faculty coordinate a wide range of school and community based practicum placements strategically placed throughout the program. This provides frequent opportunities to interact with young children while developing your teaching skills. A major in Exceptionality and Disability provides foundational knowledge to professionals who interface across a variety of settings, including non-certified school programs, homes, agencies, and community. Career options include working in behavioral support clinics, advocacy law agencies, adaptive recreation settings, community engagement, and government agencies supporting individuals with disabilities. Graduate studies include certification as a BCBA, a Master's of Special Education, a Master's of Applied Behavior Analysis, Pre-Law, etc.
