Continuing and College Education

Foundations of Continuing Education

Option I (Thesis) - Students doing a Thesis must add CCE 690 Thesis (6-9) to their program but are not required to take CCE 599 Graduation Seminar (1). 

The Continuing and College Education comprehensive assessment is satisfied by taking CCE 591 Applied Research Proposal (2) and CCE 599 Graduation Seminar (1).  For details about this, check with your advisor.

What is a Field Experience? A field experience is an experiential learning opportunity in which each student designs and implements a learning experience of value to one's professional and academic goals. The structure of the field experience ranges from a structured internship in an organization, to a focused project such as the development of a manual or curriculum, to an in-depth experiential examination of a topic of special interest. Like an independent study, the field experience is self-directed. The learning experience is given direction and clarity through the development of a learning contract at the outset of the field experience. Students work closely with faculty to plan the field experience which is usually done in the latter part of the program.  Students often do more than one field experience, for example choosing to divide 6 credits of field experience between two different quarters and two different experiences. A minimum of 2 credits and a maximum of 8 credits of field experience can be included in the program.

The field experience component of the program has several purposes:

1. to learn about education, training and administration within a work setting, 
2. to augment and give depth to learning gained from coursework by applying it to an actual project,
3. to design and implement a learning project to expand knowledge and skills in a new area, and/or
4. to link theory and practice in order to strengthen oneself as a continuing and college educator.

You may apply your elective credits toward the following optional specialization certificate programs.  There is a separate advising/application process for each of these programs; admission to the Continuing and College Education degree does not guarantee admission to these certificate programs:

• Community and Technical College Teaching (20 credits)
  This program prepares you to teach in the community or technical college setting given a degree or expertise in the subject area to be taught.  Classes are available in Bellingham.  Refer to the CTCT website at:  http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/CTCT/.  For questions, contact Stan.Goto@wwu.edu.
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (26 credits)
  Learn to teach English as a second language at community/technical colleges, community service organizations or overseas.  Classes are available in Bellingham.  Refer to the TESOL website at:  http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Resources/TESOL/.  For questions, contact TESOL@wwu.edu.