What is Secondary Education?

Western’s Secondary Education program is designed for students who want to become teachers at the middle or high school level. The program leads to a recommendation to the State of Washington for a teaching certificate with an endorsement in at least one subject area. Prior to applying to Secondary Education, you will declare one of the majors listed below (or have academic coursework that meets the major requirements).

Secondary Education Qualifying Endorsements

To gain a Teaching Certificate all teacher candidates must complete a teacher preparation program. Woodring offers programs for Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education areas.

An endorsement is the subject area and grade level you are qualified to teach. For example, Earth and Space Science is an endorsement.

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree with teacher certification and an endorsement in elementary education must complete the GURs, an approved academic major, and the professional education course work. 

Endorsements available at Western

Secondary Education at Western

Western’s Secondary Education Department is part of Woodring College of Education. The program requires completion of the Secondary Education professional course sequence, a baccalaureate degree with academic preparation for a qualifying endorsement, and a student teaching internship. The program is firmly backed by current research of effective teaching and promoting student learning and provides multiple field experiences (including service-learning, practica, and student internship). Early advising is highly encouraged to ensure your eligibility to apply.

“Wooding’s small class sizes, dedicated professors, and diverse curriculum made me a better educator, while the student-centered approach means I’ve had a real voice in my education.”

Quinn Reno

Education student

Practicum Placements

The college faculty coordinate a wide range of school and community-based practicum placements strategically placed throughout the program. This provides frequent opportunities to interact with young children while developing your teaching skills.

Professional Development

Candidates may opt to participate in professional development activities outside of the classroom setting. These activities are varied and may include events such as professional development alongside practicing teachers/professionals in the local schools/community or attendance as selected informational talks or workshops.

Compass 2 Campus

The State of Washington mentoring initiative at Western is designed to increase opportunities in higher education by providing mentoring for 5th–12th grade students from traditionally underrepresented and diverse backgrounds in Whatcom and Skagit counties. For more information on the program, visit this website.

What can you do with Secondary Education?

Secondary Education offers two teacher preparation programs for those wishing to teach in middle and/or high school and receive certification in Washington State.

The Secondary Education curriculum is carefully sequenced to provide professional, comprehensive, learning and field-focused experiences.

Woodring College has had a long-standing commitment to preparing teachers and producing highly capable, effective educators who strive for ambitious goals in teaching; teaching that is ambitious both in its intellectual goals and in its concern for the learning and well-being of all students.

Secondary Education Careers

  • Secondary-level teacher (middle or high school)