• Make connections through professors who have collaborative relationships with more than 150 school districts statewide.
• The College of Education sponsors the Future Teachers and Leaders of Color program, designed to address the under-representation of multicultural educators in the state of Washington.
• We offer the most innovative education technologies and the latest classroom facilities.
• The teacher education program is the only one in the state to offer classroom teaching opportunities in every region of Washington, as well as in English-speaking schools in several countries.
• Get the most up-to-date knowledge of effective teaching, student learning, and educational reform.
• Get first-hand experience through 200 practicum hours integrated throughout the program and 16 weeks of student teaching.

To be eligible for the teacher education program, students need to meet the following requirements:

• Have 80 hours of recent educational experience with children or youth
• Complete at least 45 semester hours of course work
• Complete all the prerequisite courses with a C grade or better. 
• Have a personal interview
• Complete a timed writing sample (elementary applicants only)
• Pass the WEST-B exam
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at Washington State University

See the teacher education program's website for full information about requirements, including more about prerequisite courses and the state's WEST-B exam.

The elementary education program yields a BA in education with a teaching certificate in elementary education.

After admission to the elementary education program, you'll take core courses like these, designed to give you the skills and knowledge you'll need to bring into your own elementary classroom:

Classroom Management
Classroom Assessment
Early Literacy
Reading & Writing in Grades 4-8
Teaching Elementary Mathematics
Teaching Elementary Science
Teaching Elementary Social Studies
Music for the Classroom Teacher
Integrating Fine Arts into K-8 Curriculum
Integrating Health & Fitness into K-8 Curriculum
Instructional Practicum (3 semesters)
Social Foundations of Elementary Curriculum
Intro to ESL for K-8 Teachers
Student Teaching
Teaching Inclusive Classrooms
Methods of Educational Technology

See the College of Education website for a full list of elementary education core courses.

Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

Washington State University offers teaching certificates in several subjects.

Teaching certificates

• Agriculture Education
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Space Science
• Elementary Education (K-8 Endorsement)
• English Language Arts
• Family and Consumer Science
• French
• Health and Fitness (Physical Education)
• History
• Mathematics
• Music (General, Choral, or Instrumental Endorsements)
• Physics
• Social Studies
• Spanish

Add-on endorsements

These endorsements are available only in addition to a teaching certificate (not available as stand-alone certificates or degree programs).

• Bilingual Education
• English Language Learners (ELL)
• General Science
• Middle Level Math
• Middle Level Science
• Reading
• Special Education

Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

To teach a specific subject in middle school or high school, you need to:

• Complete a bachelor’s degree in the subject you intend to teach.
• Complete professional education core courses in the teacher education program to earn teacher certification.

After admission to the teacher education program, you'll take core courses like these, designed to give you the skills and knowledge you'll need to bring into your own classroom:

Learning & Development
Secondary Practicum & Seminar
Curriculum Planning & Content
Cultural & Community Contexts
Methods of Secondary Ed. Technology
Classroom Management
Classroom Assessment
Advanced Practicum
ESL/SpEd Methods in Secondary Teaching
Student Teaching
Intro to Psychology
Writing and Research

See the College of Education website for a full list of secondary ed core requirements.

The College of Education works together with programs across the University so that you can complete both your major and the education coursework in good time. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

For teacher education students

The College of Education distributes funds from 13 endowed scholarships to approximately 100 teacher preparation students every semester. Some of the scholarships with multiple recipients include the College of Education Alumni Association Scholarship, the Louise H. Meyer Scholarship, the Don and Julia Lee Scholarship, and the Claude Simpson and Peggy Simpson Yates Scholarship.

For more information about these scholarships, call the College of Education at 509-335-7843 or e-mail beateacher@wsu.edu.

For all students at WSU

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs. Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.

For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.

• Care about people, especially children
• Desire to make a real difference in the world
• Want to have the same impact that your favorite teacher from school had on you

Graduates with teaching certification may teach in public or private schools worldwide. Further study opens up possibilities as a coach, counselor, principal, or other administrative positions in schools.