Elementary Education - Advising
Whether you are an elementary education student in our program or a prospective one, we welcome you to our advising page. This page is designed to provide information related to receiving an elementary education teaching certificate (grades K-8). If, after reviewing the information contained on this page, you have questions regarding this program, please feel free to contact Ellen Kreider, Elementary Education Program Manager, at (360) 650-7948 or ellen.kreider@wwu.edu. She will respond to your questions and forward them to the appropriate faculty advisor.
Transfer Students: For those transferring from community colleges seeking information regarding elementary education before transferring to WWU, see "Community College Students--Elementary Education Academic Majors."
Summer Advising: While the Elementary Education Department offers limited courses during the summer, both the department chair and program manager are available to advise students during the summer quarter - usually through the ninth week of the quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions: click on this link to find some generally asked questions and answers that pertain to our program.
Approved Academic Majors: An approved academic major is required to go with elementary education certification although these particular majors will not lead to an additional endorsement. The following majors are currently approved for elementary education certification.
| Anthropology | General Studies | Mathematics |
| Art | Geography | Music |
| Communication | Geology (Earth Science) | Psychology (Human Development) |
| *Elementary Education Studies | German | Social Studies |
| English | History | Sociology |
| Environmental Studies | *Language, Literacy & Cultural Studies | Spanish |
| French | Liberal Studies (Humanities) | *Special Education |
| Student/Faculty Designed Major |
*Admission to Elementary or Special Education is required to declare these three majors. Applicants planning to major in special education to teach elementary education only and applicants planning to receive both elementary and special education endorsements should apply directly to the Special Education Department.
Program Information:
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Elementary Education Undergraduate/Post-Baccalaureate Certification -- This program leads to recommendation to the State of Washington for a teaching certificate with a K-8 Elementary Education Endorsement. The program requires completion of an approved academic major and a year-long internship along with the coursework in the professional sequence.
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Major in Elementary Education Studies -- This departmental major is one of the many approved academic majors that students may choose from to accompany the professional preparation program in Elementary Education (see list of majors in above chart).
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Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies Major -- This departmental major is one of the many approved academic majors that students may choose from to accompany the professional preparation program in Elementary Education (see list of majors in above chart ).
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Reading Endorsement -- This endorsement is offered for students who wish to have the opportunity to further their knowledge and skills for literacy instruction. Students will deepen their knowledge of language and literacy learning, while building their capacity to help all children achieve as readers and writers.
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Early Childhood Education -- This program includes an academic major in Early Childhood Education and a sequence of professional certification courses that lead to teacher licensure PreK-third grade. Upon completion of the program, candidates can work in childcare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and primary grades in public schools.
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M.Ed. - Literacy -- This updated Master's degree is designed for educators who want to deepen their knowledge and practice in literacy instruction. Graduates will leave with a strong understanding of the research and theory behind the development and effective teaching of language, reading, and writing.
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TESOL Endorsement -- This program meets Washington state requirements for a supporting endorsement in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).
