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.

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.