WSU Vancouver’s program is designed to prepare you for a teaching career in which you are ready for all the responsibilities of your own classroom. You will be well-versed in critical thinking and culturally responsive practices that will serve you throughout your career.
This is a cohort-style program that begins once a year in mid-June. This full-time program takes two years, including two summers, to complete. There are part-time options available. Classes are offered face-to-face on campus primarily during the day, with some evening courses.
This program is rooted in social justice and emphasizes educating all children equitably. You will learn how to teach content methods, assess student learning and manage a classroom in ways that allow for equal access and success of all children in your class. In addition to coursework, you will learn practical classroom teaching skills through three practicum experiences and one semester of student teaching under the supervision of experienced teachers.
- High-quality proficiency in lesson and unit planning across all elementary and middle school subjects
- Expertise in responding to student needs and interests with a focus on student achievement and well-being
- Knowledge and skills necessary to integrate technology, use classroom and school resources effectively, and incorporate research-based strategies to create engaging student learning experiences
Teacher in grades K-8 (English language learner endorsement included, optional endorsements include special education and middle level math), experiential (museum, zoo, park) educator, tutoring/testing center coordinator/director, curriculum developer, instructional coordinator, recreation supervisor, camp director, professional development educator, teacher/director at a day care/pre-school.
B.A in Education Admission Requirements
Our goal is to prepare the best teachers possible. Meeting the following admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Coursework
- Completion of WSU University Common Core (UCORE) or an approved AA-DTA degree from a community college.
- Specified pre-requisite courses with a C or better. Email Casper Menson at casper.menson@wsu.edu for a transcript evaluation.
- Minimum cumulative 2.5 grade point average overall, as determined by the Admissions Office.
Testing
- Take a basic skills test ACT/SAT/WEST-B (all sections—mathematics, reading and writing) per Washington state teacher certification requirements. There is no preference for one test or another, and no minimum score required; old scores can be submitted. Scores must be on file at WSU Pullman at the time of application.
- If ordering SAT scores, visit the College Board website and use school code: 4705.
- If ordering ACT scores, visit the ACT website and use school code: 4482.
- If registering for the WEST-B, select the State of Washington and WSU Pullman to receive official test scores.
Experience with children
A minimum of 80 hours supervised experience with K-8 children is required. Public school classroom experience is preferred, babysitting/nannying is not acceptable. Email Casper Menson to discuss whether your experiences qualify. Documented experiences must be completed by the time of application and must have occurred within three years of the program start date.
“I chose this program because I heard a lot of wonderful things about it through people from the community. It was also close to home, and I resonated with the focus on multilingual learners and the emphasis on culturally responsive pedagogy. Even though I was a multilingual learner myself, I only attended school in general education classrooms. Being able to observe and teach in a dual-language classroom was an inspiring and enriching experience I'll never forget. I felt like I was where my younger self always wanted to be, a place where my culture and identity was appreciated.”
— Rosalia Lopez-Vidal, B.A. in Education Class of 2023
“You have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. This program will force you to think about topics and situations that push you outside of your comfort zone. Every day you will be met with new perspectives that make you stop and think a little deeper. Having the ability to work through these feelings for the greater good of your students is one of the best things ever. You not only provide a support system for them but an example of how to go through life when things get thrown in your way. You are the model they will constantly see, therefore you have to show them what it means to persevere through anything.”
— Abby Fischer, B.A. in Education Class of 2023