Secondary and K-12 Education

How long will it take to complete the program?

If you are completing certification as part of your undergraduate degree, you should be able to finish in approximately 5-5 ½ years. This can vary depending on the size of your academic major. Post baccalaureate students can expect to take three quarters of full-time education coursework plus a semester of student teaching. This timeframe could be extended if additional coursework is needed to meet department or State endorsement requirements. Students in the Master in Teaching program (MIT) can expect to take 3-4 quarters of full-time coursework, a full semester of student teaching, and a 4-credit research course following successful completion of the internship. This timeframe could be extended if additional coursework is needed to meet department or State endorsement requirements.

What is the difference between a Major and an Endorsement?

While students may complete an academic major, additional courses may be required in order for the student to be “endorsed” to teach that subject. For instance, content methods courses are required in all majors in order to meet endorsement requirements. If you are a post baccalaureate or MIT student, you may also need to take additional courses to meet State or academic department endorsement requirements.

What grade levels can I teach with this certificate?

The Secondary Education program prepares you to teach middle school or high school.  If you are interested in teaching at the upper elementary grades, you are encouraged to contact the Elementary Education Department.

Those choosing a major endorsement in the following specialized areas will be prepared to teach all levels (P-12).:  Health and Fitness, Music, Special Education, Theatre, World Languages, and Visual Arts

Are Secondary Education Program courses offered during summer quarters?

The majority of Secondary Education courses are not offered on a regular basis in summers.  Schedules are usually finalized in February and students are encouraged to contact the department for definite information.  Courses in the Secondary Education program which are offered by other departments (i.e., Instructional Technology, Special Education), may be offered.  Students are encouraged to contact those departments, again in the February preceding each summer quarter.

Are tests required for certification program completion?

All students seeking Washington State Residency Certification are required to take and pass a content (major) competency test called the WEST-E/Praxis II.  Candidates must pass this test for any subject area in which they wish to be endorsed.  Students wishing more information on the test in their academic area can review the website.

Please visit Woodring's WEST-E Praxis Resource Site to view and download resources for planning, preparing and registering for the WEST-E Praxis.

WEST-E Praxis tests are administrated statewide by Educational Testing Service (ETS), six times each year.  The cost is borne by the student.  Details on test requirements, costs, preparation, registration, locations, and dates are available on the ETS Praxis website for Washington State.

Can I do my student teaching internship outside of the Whatcom County area?

Yes. Students may request internships outside of the normal “service areas” for Western. Requests must be submitted to the Office of Field Experiences and approved by the Secondary Education Department. Requests will usually be approved as long as:

1. appropriate supervision can be obtained;

2. the faculty have no concerns about areas of weakness - if so, students are generally required to do their internships in the local area and are supervised by secondary education faculty.

Some opportunities for overseas student teaching are available.  For information, contact the Office of Field Experiences.

Must I complete all coursework prior to student teaching?

You must complete all education sequence courses. Occasionally students may do the internship without completing all endorsement coursework; however, both your academic major endorsement advisor and your secondary education advisor must approve exceptions. Students cannot be certified without all requirements having been completed.

Must I complete a full semester internship?

Yes. Secondary students are required to complete a 24 credit hour, 18-week semester student teaching internship. While Western is on the quarter system the majority of public schools use the semester system. Your internship will coincide with the beginning and end of the school’s semester. Your schedule, including holidays and quarter breaks, will be those of the public school, not Western.  The exception is for students who teach abroad - 16 weeks.

Who approves or signs off on my “major”?

Your major endorsement must be approved by your academic major endorsement advisor. Post baccalaureate and Master students – even though you have a degree, you must still meet department and State requirements for the endorsement and must get written approval. Forms are available at Woodring's Certification Office, Miller Hall 216. There is no secondary education evaluation required prior to student teaching. Woodring's Certification Office does one check of your education coursework prior to the internship and another when reviewing your certification application.

I completed a certification application when admitted to Woodring. Must I complete another one when I apply for certification?

Yes. The form you completed as part of the admission process is the form required by the State of Washington for character fitness clearance purposes. To receive your certificate you must complete the application and submit it to Woodring's Certification Office.

How soon after completion of my internship will I get my Certificate?

Temporary teaching permits will normally be received within 1-2 weeks from the time the Certification Office receives clearance from the Office of Field Experiences that the final student teaching evaluation is completed.  The permanent certificate is usually processed within 2-3 months, mailed from OSPI to the Certification Office, then forwarded to you.  Depending on the program different addresses are used and must be kept current.  For undergraduate and MIT students the "diploma" address is the only address used, for post-bac students the permanent address is the only address used.

This timeline presumes you submitted the application to the Certification Office on time and provided all necessary documentation.  If the application or documentation are turned in late, delays will result.  

NOTE: Fingerprint clearance must be valid through the time you are recommend for your permanent certificate.

In order to sign a contract, you must have the certificate number from either your temporary or permanent certificate. This is required in order to be awarded a teaching contract.

Is Washington State certification valid in other states? How can I find out what states have reciprocity with Washington?

Some states do have reciprocity with Washington; however, there may be stipulations for a given state. If you have a particular state in mind, you should contact the Woodring Teacher Education Certification Officer, Dana Edward, for contact information. The following web site provided links to all states, as well as contacts for most of them: www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html

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