Preparation for Secondary Education

To be considered for admission into the Teacher Certification Program (TCP), students must have junior standing or have earned at least a score of 23 on the American College Test (ACT) or have earned a score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of at least 931 if they graduated from high school prior to 1996 or a score of at least 1040 if they graduated in or after 1996. The state of Washington may change minimum scores between bulletin printings. Students may verify minimum acceptable scores with the certification officer of the School of Education and Psychology.

Students applying for admission to the Teacher Certification Program are required by state law to earn a passing score on the Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B) and/or submit official documentation of current Washington State passing scores on the ACT/SATs, or a combination thereof, prior to admission into the program. Test dates and locations are available from the School of Education and Psychology.

To be admitted into the Teacher Certification Program, students must demonstrate satisfactory scholarship, professionalism, and personal fitness for teaching. These terms are defined and explained in the Minimum Competencies document distributed in EDUC 211 Introduction to and Foundations of Education. The document is also available upon request from the certification officer of the School of Education and Psychology.

The secondary certification program requires completion of an approved endorsement (major), passing scores on the Washington Educator Skills Test-Endorsement (WEST-E) and any other Washington State required assessment instrument in the endorsement area, and professional courses as specified. To be recommended for certification, candidates must maintain a grade-point average of not less than 2.75 in professional education/psychology course work and in each endorsement area. No grade lower than C will apply. A total of two repeats are permitted in any course or any combination of courses in Pre-Candidacy courses and the Teacher Certification Program combined.

Practicum experiences in secondary education require a formal application, law enforcement background check, and moral character clearance. Contact the School of Education and Psychology for details.

Student teaching requires formal application to the School of Education and Psychology. Student teaching applications, available from the certification officer, are due by the end of Autumn quarter prior to the year in which the student plans to enroll for the experience. The candidate must spend a minimum of 450 hours in supervised field experience over the course of their student teaching experience.

Secondary Teaching Certification Requirements:

Pre-Candidacy courses must be completed with a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 before a student may proceed to the Teacher Certification Program. Students may apply for admission to the Teacher Certification Program during the last quarter of Pre-Candidacy courses. A minimum of a B- average in the College Writing/Research Writing sequence is required.

Phase 1: Pre-Candidacy Program

Pre-Candidacy Courses:

EDUC 211Introduction to and Foundations of Education

3

PSYC 215Child and Adolescent Development

4

PSYC 220Educational Psychology

3

Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B):

Students must pass all sections of WEST-B and/or submit official documentation of current Washington State passing scores on the ACT/SATs, or a combination thereof, before acceptance into Phase 2.

Pre-Candidacy Cognates:

ENGL 121College Writing I

3

ENGL 122College Writing II

3

MATH 105Finite Mathematics

4

MATH 105: or more advanced math course

ENGL 122: B- average required

Phase 2: Teacher Certification Program

Teacher Certification Courses:

EDUC 315Classroom Technology Tools

2

EDUC 365Instructional Methodology

3

EDUC 367Instructional Methodology Practicum

1

EDUC 390Measurement and Evaluation in Education

4

EDUC 410Philosophy of Education (or PHIL 410)

3

EDUC 421Principals of Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms

3

EDUC 425Legal, and Ethical Aspects of Education

2

EDUC 444Teaching Cultural Diverse Students

2

EDUC 472Introduction to Student Teaching Field Experience

1

EDUC 475Teaching Reading Skills in The Content Areas

3

EDUC 477Secondary Student Teaching Part I

2

EDUC 481Secondary Student Teaching Part II

12

EDUC 493Student Teaching Assessments

3

EDUC 495Colloquium: Child Abuse

0

#### 395
Methods course, major or minor academic field

3

Total Credit Hours:54

Washington Educator Skills Test-Endorsement (WEST-E):

Passing all sections of WEST-E in area of endorsement is a prerequisite for EDUC 481 Secondary Student Teaching Part II

Teacher Certification Program Cognates:

ENGL 223Research Writing

3

SPCH 101Fundamentals of Speech Communication

4

Approved Primary Endorsements:

Endorsement requirements frequently exceed graduation requirements. For example, endorsements typically require a methods class appropriate for secondary teaching (grades 5-12). Additional endorsements in Social Studies and Science are available for students who already have, or are completing, an endorsable major. See the secondary education adviser in the School of Education and Psychology for a current certification checksheet.

Primary Endorsement Majors

Art

Biology

Chemistry

English

French

Health/Fitness

History

Mathematics

Music Education

Physics

Spanish

Additional Requirements for Denominational Certification

Religious studies (Bible) is not an approved Washington state endorsement. However, a religion minor, plus a methods course in religion, remains essential for those desiring a denominational endorsement in Bible.
One course chosen from the following:
HLTH 110Wellness for Living

3

HLTH 205Survey of Health

2

16 Religion credits are required for certification and must include:
RELB
(Selected from courses with RELB prefix)

6-8

RELH 457History of Adventism

3

RELT 202Christian Beliefs

4

RELT 417Inspiration and Revelation

3

18 Religion credits and a secondary religion methods course are required for the Jr. Academy Endorsement.

 

Notes on Washington State Certification

The school attempts to provide current information on certification requirements in this bulletin. Because of frequent changes in state requirements, however, the candidate must consult with the School of Education and Psychology certification officer periodically for updated information that might affect certification status.

Meeting graduation requirements as specified in this bulletin does not guarantee state certification. An application process, including fingerprint clearance and a Dean's Affidavit regarding the candidate's fitness, and passing of the current Washington State assessment instrument is required.

Course credits more than ten years old that are used to meet initial certification standards will be reviewed by the academic department granting the credit to determine acceptability.