Specialized
Professional Associations

Specialized Professional Associations (SPA) are national organizations representing teachers, professional education faculty, and other school personnel who teach a specific subject matter (e.g., mathematics or social studies), teach students at a specific developmental level (i.e., early childhood, elementary, middle level, or secondary), teach students with specific needs (e.g., bilingual education or special education), administer schools (e.g., principals or superintendents), or provide services to students (e.g., school counselors or school psychologists). Standards developed by SPAs describe what professionals in the field should know and be able to do.

Programs at WCU are either accredited or nationally recognized by their SPAs.