Teacher Certification
To become a certificated teacher in Washington State you must have earned a bachelor's or higher degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited college/university. Woodring College of Education offers several teacher education programs. Please refer to the Teacher Education webpage for program information and locations.
Fingerprinting; Character and Fitness Questionnaire
Information on Character and Fitness Requirements and fingerprinting for educational program purposes: initial or renewal
Bellingham Campus Students: Application Packet
The Residency Teacher Certificate is the name of the first certificate you are issued. On-Campus application for the Residency Teacher Certificate is made to the Woodring College of Education Teacher Certification Office (Miller Hall 250) approximately four months prior to start of the full-time student teaching internship, in accordance with the following schedule.
|
Full-time Student Teaching Start Quarter |
Application Due Date |
| Spring 2010 | December 4, 2009 |
| Summer 2010 | March 12, 2010 |
| Fall 2010 | May 7, 2010 |
| Winter 2011 | August 20, 2010 |
Teacher Outreach Program (TEOP) Students (Bremerton, Everett or Seattle): Application Packet
The Residency Teacher Certificate is the name of the first certificate you are issued. TEOP students will be directed to fill out the Residency Teacher Certification application packet by their program staff or the Certification Office.
Washington State Certification System
View the Washington State Residency-Professional Teacher Certification System graphic display for information on timing and sequence. A description of the certification system and requirements is summarized below.
Residency Certificate
The Residency Certificate is issued to new Washington State teachers when all requirements have been verified. Listed below are the main requirements and assessments needed to qualify for recommendation for a Residency Certificate by Western Washington University.
A baccalaureate or higher-level degree, earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
A WWU performance-based teacher education program with at least one subject endorsement.
Evidence of good moral character and personal fitness.
Passing score on the Washington Educator Skills Test (WEST-E) for each endorsement.
Washington State Performance-based Pedagogy Assessment conducted during the internship.
The first-issue Residency Certificate is valid until completion of two consecutive years of certificated employment and acceptance of a third year contract with a Washington State public school district or a state-approved private school. Application is then made for a reissued Residency Certificate, valid for an additional five-year term. During the five-year term Residency teachers are expected to complete a Professional Certification Program as a contracted teacher in Washington State or earn National Board (NBPTS) certification. See Residency Certificate Extension options and instructions.
Professional Certificate
Washington State teachers move through a continuum of teaching development that involves continuous professional development and lifelong learning. New teachers complete an induction period with their employing school district or private school, then a state-approved Professional Certification Program leading to the second level Professional Certificate. Click on the following links for further information.
Teachers who hold a reissued Residency Certificate with an expiration date, and who are enrolled in a professional certification program, may extend the Residency Certificate an additional two years by applying for a one-time Residency Certificate Renewal.
Western
Washington
University
Woodring
College
of
Education
Teacher
Certification
Office
516
High
Street
/
Miller Hall 250
Bellingham,
Washington
98225-9090
CertOffice@wwu.edu
Telephone:
(360)
650-4930
Facsimile:
(360)
650-6583
