Secondary Education Professional Program

Woodring College of Education

Why Should I Consider this Major?

Are you looking for a way to have a positive, dynamic impact on the lives of adolescents? Do you have a passion for your academic major? Do you want to share this passion with middle or high school students? Then consider becoming a high school or middle school teacher. The Department of
Secondary Education offers Washington State Residency Teacher Certification for undergraduate, post baccalaureate and Master’s level students. The plan below applies to undergraduate students. For information on the other routes to certification, as well as information on all aspects of the program, consult the Secondary Education website at http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/SEC/
 

How to Declare:

Applying to the Secondary Education

Admission to both Western Washington University and Secondary Education is required before a
teacher candidate may begin taking courses in education. Post-baccalaureate teacher candidates must
apply to WWU and Secondary Education for the same quarter. Requirements include:

  • Undergraduate teacher candidates should have completed all GUR’s and 60-80% of their major endorsement credits. Those with less than 60% should contact a secondary faculty advisor before applying.
  • Post baccalaureate teacher candidates should have a degree in their academic major.
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
  • WEST-B test scores. This test is offered 6 or 7 times a year at various sites in the State. For details on registration and fees refer to the WEST-B website www.west.nesinc.com.
  • Two letters of recommendation addressing your potential for success in teacher education.
  • One letter must be from someone who can attest to your academic ability and knowledge in your academic major (ie: professor).

Completion of an English composition course with a grade of B or higher

Application materials: Printable from www.wce.wwu.edu/Admiss

Teacher education candidates meeting the above criteria are eligible for admission and their
application materials will be reviewed by academic (major) department advisors and secondary
education faculty. Final admission decisions are made on the basis of combined scores.
Transfer students: Most academic departments require teacher education candidates to complete some
of their major coursework at Western before recommending admission. It is in the best interest of
transfer students to meet with an advisor in their major department their first quarter at Western to
discuss the best time to apply to secondary teacher education.

Consideration in admission will be given to candidates with endorsements in academic areas of current critical need.

For information on the application process, contact Teacher Education Admissions at 360-650-3310 or visit their website at www.wce.wwu.edu/Admiss/TeacherEd.shtml
 

Other Information about this Major:

Approved Academic Majors

Secondary Education teacher candidates must earn qualifying endorsement by completing a state-approved program. WWU academic majors designed to prepare teacher candidates to teach at secondary and at all levels are listed below.

Secondary Level (Middle and High School)

  • English- Literature Emphasis, BA
  • Mathematics- Secondary, BAE
  • Anthropology/Social Studies, BA
  • Economics/Social Studies, BA
  • Geography/Social Studies, BA
  • History/Social Studies, BA
  • Political Science/Social Studies, BA
  • Sociology/Social Studies, BA
  • Biology, BS
  • Chemistry, BS
  • Chemistry/Biology- Secondary, BAE
  • Chemistry/Mathematics- Secondary, BAE
  • Chemistry/Physics- Secondary, BAE
  • Earth Science- Secondary, BAE
  • Earth Science/General Science- Secondary, BAE
  • Physics/Mathematics- Secondary, BAE
  • General Science- Secondary, BAE

All Levels (P-12)

  • Art- P-12, BAE
  • Dance, BA or BFA
  • French with a Teaching Endorsement, BA
  • German with a Teaching Endorsement, BA
  • Japanese with a Teaching Endorsement, BA
  • Music Education- P-12, Bmus
  • Physical Education & Health- P-12, BAE
  • Spanish with a Teaching Endorsement, BA
  • Special Education- P-12, BAE
  • Theatre, BA

Coursework

  • EDUC 301 - Educational Psychology I: Development and Individual Differences
  • EDUC 302 - Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning and Assessment
  • EDUC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
  • IT 444 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Secondary)
  • SEC 410 - Dynamics of Teaching
  • SEC 411 - Philosophical Foundations of Education
  • SEC 425 - Developmental Reading, Writing and Learning in Secondary Schools
  • SEC 430 - Secondary School Methods I - Instructional Strategies, Daily Planning, and Standards
  • SEC 431 - Secondary School Methods II-Assessment and Long Term Planning
  • SEC 432 - Secondary School Methods III - Management, Motivation and Discipline
  • SEC 433 - Teaching Laboratory
  • SEC 435 - Middle Level Practicum
  • SEC 436 - Secondary School Practicum
  • SEC 495 - Internship - Secondary
  • SPED 363 - Secondary Students With Special Needs

Academic content methods courses are required for content methods courses are required for all major endorsement areas. For specific course numbers and schedule information, students are advised to contact their academic major department advisor.

Sample Careers

  • High School Teacher
  • Middle School Teacher

Department

Contact

Teacher Education Admissions

MH 150
360-650-3313
www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss

Program Manager:

Janna Cecka
MH 401C; 360-650-3327
Janna.Cecka@wwu.edu

Program Coordinator:

Debbie Gramm
MH 401A; 360-650-3327
Debbie.Gramm@wwu.edu

Department Chairperson:

Bruce Larson
MH 402C; 360-650-3702
Bruce.Larson@wwu.edu