Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Education Teacher Certification

Post-Bac Program Description

The Bellingham Post-Bac Program has been certifying elementary and middle school teachers for more than a dozen years. In our intensive, field-based program, a new cohort of qualified candidates begins in summer quarter of each year and spends five consecutive, full-time quarters fulfilling the requirements for the Washington State Residency Teaching Certificate, with a Primary (K-8) endorsement. Our courses and practica meet weekdays and occasional evenings throughout the year, and involve extensive collaboration with the Bellingham School District. This collaboration provides our students a wide range of experiences in local public elementary and middle schools.

Are We Looking for You?

Each year, we seek a small number of outstanding elementary teacher certification candidates with Bachelor's degrees in fields other than Education. Ideally, we look for individuals who possess the following teacher-like qualities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated success working with children in productive ways
• Experience with diverse populations
• Strong academic background to draw upon when teaching
• Enthusiasm for planning and executing interesting lessons in engaging ways
• Ability to monitor children's behavior and performance in learning activities
• Confidence when interacting with children

For more information on our program, please read on.  Or request application materials and/or tell us how you learned about our program.

Scroll down, or follow the links below for additional information:

Admission Requirements
Application Procedures
Tuition and Fees
Program Outline
Frequently Asked Questions
For More Information...

Admission Requirements

• An approved undergraduate major from a regionally accredited university
• Admitted or applied to Western Washington University
• An accumulative grade point average of 2.75 over at least the last 45 credits
• Completion of an English composition course with a grade of B- or higher
• Completion of Math Prerequisite with a grade of C or better (within five years) for Math 381
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum required score on Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B). WEST-B testing is offered a limited number of times each year. For more information and testing dates, visit www.west.nesinc.com.

Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission but does not guarantee admission. Students meeting all criteria are further evaluated to determine the most qualified applicants. Of special importance are experiences with children and special skills helpful in teaching.

Mathematics Requirement

As a WWU elementary teacher education student, you will be required to take Math 381, Teaching K-8 Mathematics I, and Math 382, Teaching K-8 Mathematics II, to satisfy requirements for teacher certification.  You must pass Math 381 with a C or better in order to enroll in Math 382.  Both courses are offered within the curriculum of the extension program, with Math 381 offered as early as the first quarter of the program.

Math 381 has a prerequisite which must be met prior to program entry in one of the following five ways:

1.       Obtain a score of 20 or better on the 35 question Intermediate Mathematics Placement Test.

2.       Obtain a grade of C or better in Math 102 at WWU within the last 5 years.

3.       Obtain a C or better in an Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, or Pre-Calculus course at a college or university within the last 5 years.

4.       Obtain a waiver from the WWU Math Department Chair for receiving a C or better in at least one college level calculus course equivalent to Math 124 at WWU.

5.       Obtain a waiver from the WWU Math Department Chair for scoring three (3) or higher on the CEEB's Advanced Placement Calculus exam.

Computer Competency

A basic competency in computer use is necessary to participate in the program. To meet this requirement, IT 344 (Basic Instructional Technology Skills /1cr) is offered the first 2 weeks of summer quarter within the regular program class schedule.

Child/Human Development Course

Students must have completed a child development course prior to certification at the end of the program. This coursework can be completed at the community college level, at an accredited college or university, through Independent Learning at WWU (by taking Psychology 230), or by completing a Woodring College of Education module. It is recommended that you complete this requirement as soon as possible.

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Application Procedures

Please note that this program will not operate in the 2008-09 academic year. See note above for more details.

The program commences each year in summer.

Applicants must submit both a WWU Extension Undergraduate Application and a Woodring College Extension Program Application. To obtain application materials, use one of the following options:

1.       Download and print the application materials, using the following links...
WWU Extension Undergraduate Application
Woodring College Extension Program Application [176kb PDF]

2.       Request a packet to be mailed to you by contacting Denise Blair at 360-650-2425 or Denise.Blair@wwu.edu.

3.       Pick up a packet from Miller Hall 260 (outside the Elementary Education office) on WWU's campus, 516 High St, Bellingham, WA.

To download and print the forms, you will need the free application, Adobe Acrobat Reader, installed on your computer. It is available from Adobe's download site at www.adobe.com. If this does not produce a clear copy, please call 360-650-2425 or e-mail Denise.Blair@wwu.edu for a packet.

Application Completion Tips

Type or print in ink. Attach additional sheets if necessary. Sign and date the application forms in ALL places indicated.

Read materials carefully to ensure thorough answers in each section. As you provide information under the various headings in the Woodring College Extension Program Application, we encourage you to be specific in your answers. Use additional pages as necessary. For example, in place of phrases like "I worked with children for a quarter," tell us what you really did and for how many days and hours per day. How many weeks? What occupied your time? Did you plan for instruction? Did you help individual students after the teacher provided the introduction? ...and/or did you teach the students using a teacher's plan? How much responsibility did you have for the instructional or recreational program? Did you decide what and how much to teach, or did someone else? The clearer your written materials are, the better opportunity we have to make a complete evaluation.

Application materials, including transcripts, should be postmarked as soon as possible. We encourage early submission to the program to ensure all necessary information is received by the deadline.

Personal and group interviews will be the last step in the application process.

 WWU Extension Undergraduate Application

Woodring College Extension Program Application

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Tuition & Fees

Tuition and registration fees (books not included) will be approximately $17,000 for this certification program. While every effort is made to accurately estimate the costs, tuition and fees may change.  Scholarships may be available if applied for by the end of March each year. Check with the Woodring Scholarship Office, 360/650-4419 or visit the scholarship website:  www.wce.wwu.edu/Resources/Scholarships/.

Applicants may also be eligible for financial aid. For information and details, visit the financial aid website: www.finaid.wwu.edu.

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Program Outline 

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Frequently Asked Questions

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POST-BACCALAUREATE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Which Bellingham schools are in the partnership?

Since 1995, we have established partnerships with six elementary schools and one middle school.  We expect to continue the partnerships for the ensuing school year.

How and when will I be placed in a partner school?

Near the end of your first quarter on campus (summer session runs from late June to mid August), you will meet the principals from each school and hear about their school community. You will be asked to list several choices for your preferred school and grade range, and a school match will be made. You will work full-time from possibly late August to late September with teachers at your school to launch the school year. During this time, you may assist teachers in several classrooms and at several grade levels or be assigned to a single classroom.

What happens when fall quarter begins at WWU in late September?

During fall quarter, your schedule includes approximately one-half course work (13-16 cr) and one-half continuing practicum (4 cr) time at your school. Students should expect permanent placements to be made for the duration of the certification program by mid-October.

What about winter, spring, and summer quarters?

The winter schedule includes one-half course work (13-16 cr) and one-half practicum time (4 cr) in your classroom. Your spring schedule is full-time in the classroom (student teaching internship). The summer schedule brings you back on campus full-time to complete your course work. Successful candidates will receive a Residency Certificate endorsed in Elementary Education in August.

Is it possible to be part of the Post-Bac cohort and complete some of my practicum or internship in another district?

No. We are committed to maintaining a high quality, continuous relationship with the teachers and students in our partner schools. If you are admitted to the program and later decide that the Bellingham model does not meet your needs, you would have to re-apply to be admitted to any other teacher certification program at WWU.

This schedule seems rather rigorous. True?

True. This is an intensive, accelerated version of an elementary education program that usually takes one or two more quarters to complete. Successful students are flexible and energetic in their approach to course work and classroom teaching tasks. They come into the program with efficient time management strategies as learners. They learn to be comfortable working under pressure and under the tutelage of master teachers and enthusiastic, involved principals. They are as interested in learning as teaching. They realize the nature of this intensive, committed approach to becoming a teacher, and are able to postpone many other life experiences while in the program. They have existing support systems and personal lifestyles that keep them mentally and physically healthy. These are characteristic of successful practicing teachers.

Will I receive assistance in job hunting as I near the end of the program?

Yes. WWU operates a Career Services Center (Old Main 280) that provides numerous resources for teacher education students. You will be alerted during the program of opportunities to attend workshops on writing a resume, preparing for an interview, and generally navigating the world of work as a professional teacher. Successful graduates of this program are teaching in and around the Northwest. They report that superintendents, principals, and hiring committees have a favorable impression of such teacher preparation programs involving sustained classroom experience and teaching and mentoring partnerships with local classroom teachers.

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For More Information...

For additional information about the program, please contact:

• Larry Antil, Program Director, 360-650-7505, Larry.Antil@wwu.edu

• Denise Blair, Program Assistant, 360-650-2425, Denise.Blair@wwu.edu

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We look forward to receiving your application when the program recommences!
Please check back for further news...

Western Washington University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all programs and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status, creed, marital status, and sexual orientation.