A candidate majoring in elementary education must satisfactorily complete the general studies program, baccalaureate degree requirements as listed in this bulletin, and the Teacher Certification Program (TCP): Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3. No grade lower than a C applies in any major, minor, or endorsement classes.
Because of the unique nature of the certification requirements for the elementary education degree, Biology, Health, History, Math, Physical Education, and Physics courses taken to meet any requirements for the BS Elementary Education degree are considered cognates and therefore can be simultaneously counted toward major or minor requirements in other areas.
Phase 1: TCP Pre-Candidacy, Provisional Admittance Status
Pre-Candidacy Courses:
EDUC 211 | Introduction to and Foundations of Education | 4 |
PSYC 217 | Psychology of Learning and Development | 4 |
SPED 210 | Introduction to Special Education and Inclusive Classrooms | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Pre-Candidacy Cognates:
A minimum grade of B- is required in each of the following courses:
Phase 2: TCP Core Certification Courses
Formal (full) acceptance into the Teacher Certification Program Phase 2 is required before registering for the courses listed below.
Teacher Certification Courses:
EDUC 360 | Teaching and Learning: Inclusive Literacy I | 4 |
EDUC 361 | Teaching and Learning: Inclusive Literacy II | 4 |
EDUC 373 | Teaching and Learning: Mathematics | 4 |
EDUC 382 | Methods of Teaching K-12 Social Studies and History | 4 |
EDUC 383 | Teaching and Learning: Science and Engineering | 4 |
EDUC 405 | Elementary Classroom Organization and Management | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Elementary Education Endorsement Requirements:
ART 395 | Methods of Teaching Art | 2 |
EDUC 250 | Introduction to the Teaching Practices and Technology | 2 |
EDUC 350/PSYC 350 | Language Development in Young Children | 3 |
EDUC 386 | Seminar in Washington State Social Sciences Resources | 1 |
EDUC 390 | Measurement and Evaluation in Education | 3 |
EDUC 410/PHIL 410 | Philosophy of Education | 3 |
EDUC 425 | Legal and Ethical Aspects of Education | 2 |
EDUC 444/PSYC 444 | Cultural Diversity in Education | 3 |
EDUC 495 | Colloquium: Child Abuse | 0 |
EDUC 497 | Multigrade and Rural Education | 2 |
MUED 394 | Music in the Elementary School | 3 |
PETH 396 | Methods of Teaching K-12 Physical Education and Health | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 28 |
Teacher Certification Cognates
Note: Phase 1 Pre-candidacy courses, cognates, and Teacher Certification Program Phase 2 courses also partially fulfill the endorsement requirements.
Phase 3: TCP Student Teaching Clinical Practice
Taking both sections of the National Evaluation Series (NES) in Elementary Education is a prerequisite for Phase 3.
EDUC 450 | Introduction to Student Teaching: Clinical Practice | 1 |
EDUC 451 | Program Assessment Part 1 | 1 |
EDUC 452 | Program Assessment Part 2 | 1 |
EDUC 453 | Program Assessment Part 3 | 1 |
EDUC 460 | Elementary Student Teaching Part I | 2 |
EDUC 470 | Elementary Student Teaching Part II | 2 |
EDUC 480 | Elementary Student Teaching Part III | 2-12; 12 |
Total Credit Hours: | 20 |
Minor in an Approved Content Area (State and/or Denominational):
According to Washington State Certification guidelines, elementary education majors must complete 30 credit hours from a state-approved minor or non-minor area. If the chosen minor does not have 30 quarter hours, additional courses must be taken to reach at least 30 quarter hours in the area of the minor. Alternatively, they may complete a minimum of 30 quarter hours in one of the three non-minor content areas listed below. Requirements for completion of middle-level endorsements frequently exceed minor requirements. See the certification officer in the School of Education and Psychology for a current endorsement check sheet.
Approved Minor Content Areas
Art
Biology
Chemistry
English/Language Arts
French
German
Health/Fitness
History
Mathematics
Middle Level Mathematics
Music
Physics
Religion* (not state-approved)
Spanish
Special Education
*A religion minor is available as a second minor.
Approved Non-Minor Content Areas
Humanities
Science
Social Studies
Humanities (Completion of 32 credits)
Select 20 credits of Language Arts from the following in consultation with your advisor.
Language Arts:
Choose one of the following:
ENGL 210 | Survey of British and American Literature | 4 |
ENGL 211 | Survey of British and American Literature | 4 |
ENGL 212 | Survey of British and American Literature | 4 |
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following Writing courses:
Choose one of the following:
ENGL 204 | Introduction to Literature | 4 |
ENGL 210 | Survey of British and American Literature | 4 |
ENGL 211 | Survey of British and American Literature | 4 |
ENGL 212 | Survey of British and American Literature | 4 |
ENGL 214 | Themes in Literature | 4;12 |
ENGL 234 | Literary Analysis | 4 |
Complete the following language art courses:
Complete the following social studies courses:
HIST 254 | History of Christianity | 4 |
PLSC 224 | American Government | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 32 |
Science (Completion of 32 credits)
Select 8-12 credits from each of the following sciences in consultation with your advisor.
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Social Studies (Completion of 32 credits)
Select from the following courses in consultation with your advisor.
History - minimum of 16 credits (sequence not required):
HIST 254 | History of Christianity | 4 |
HIST 386 | Cultures of the Pacific Northwest | 4 |
| Upper Division Electives | 8 |
Social Studies Electives - minimum of 16 credits (4 upper-division credits required):
*Note: Other social studies content and competencies included in Elementary Education required cognates such as HIST 221 and GEOG 252.
Additional Requirements for Adventist Education Certification
EDUC 381 | Methods of Teaching K-12 Religion | 3 |
18 Religion credits are required for certification and must include:
| (Selected from courses with RELB prefix) | 8 |
RELH 457 | History of Adventism | 3 |
RELT 202 | Christian Beliefs | 4 |
RELT 417 | Prophetic Inspiration | 3 |
Eighteen Religion credits are required for Junior Academy Religion Endorsement.
Religious studies (Bible) is not an approved Washington state endorsement. However, a religion major or minor, plus a methods course in religion, remains essential for those desiring an Adventist Education endorsement in Bible.