Program Description

The Master in Teaching Program with Secondary Certification fulfills coursework and field experience requirements for a master's degree and a Residency State of Washington Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in one of the following content areas:

  • Biology
  • English/Language Arts
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies

Students who successfully complete the certification portion of the program and receive a passing score on the state-required Praxis II test will be qualified to teach high school level courses in their content area.

Click on the links below or scroll down for more details about the program.

Program Features

  • The overarching goal of the program is to create a collaborative environment that supports all students and offers a foundation for professional growth.
  • Students are admitted once a year and begin classes in the spring semester (January).
  • The certification portion of the program takes about 18 months to complete.
  • The certification portion of the program extends over 5 consecutive semesters (including 2 summer semesters).
  • Most classes meet in the evening. Exceptions include the pre-internship and student teaching internship, which take place during the public school day, and some summer classes.
  • Students may be admitted to the certification program without pursuing a master's degree. However, courses taken as post-baccalaureate can never be applied towards a master's degree.
  • The certification portion of the program includes 29 semester credit hours of course work and 12 semester credit hours of field experiences.
  • The internships provide rich fieldwork experience that emphasize active approaches to teaching and learning.
  • To obtain their teaching license, students must pass the Praxis II Licensure Test (WEST-E) in their endorsement area after they complete the certification portion of the program. Visit www.ets.org/praxis/prxwa.html for details.
  • Graduate students who complete the certification portion of the program may begin teaching before they complete their master's degree.
  • Graduate students have 6 years to complete the Master in Teaching degree (from the date they began the program).
  • Many certification courses count towards the master's degree. For specific degree requirements, visit our Master in Teaching web site.

Certification Requirements:

Admission Requirements

Our goal is to prepare the best teachers possible. Therefore, we reserve the right to admit only the most highly qualified
candidates. Meeting the following admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in most recent 60 semester credit hours of course work
  • Content area prerequisite requirements fulfilled and eligibility to apply confirmed through formal transcript evaluation
  • Complete application materials submitted in accordance with WSU Vancouver College of Education guidelines
    • The deadline to apply for 2008 admission: October 1, 2007
  • Passing score on the Washington Educator Skills Test - Basic (WEST-B) in mathematics, reading, and writing
    • Required for admission to all teacher preparation programs in the state of Washington
    • Register online at www.west.nesinc.com
    • Copies of test registration bulletin available on campus
    • Online study guide available online at www.west.nesinc.com
  • Passing score on the Praxis II (WEST-E) test for your content area.
Click here to download informational flyer about the Praxis II and WEST B in MS Word format.

Certification Coursework

1st SPRING SEMESTER (10 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Ed Ad 510

Improvement of Instruction *

3

Ed Psy 502

Theoretical Foundations of Learning and Instruction *

3

T&L 521

Computer Technology I

1

T&L 580

Multicultural Education in a Global Society *

3

1st SUMMER# 1 SEMESTER (6 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

SpEd 522

Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms

3

T&L 528

Content Area Reading *

3

1st FALL SEMESTER (11 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

EdPsy 510

Assessment of Learning *

3

T&L 525

Classroom Management *

3

T&L 593

Pre-Internship & Seminar

2

TBA

Content Area Methods Class

3

2nd SPRING SEMESTER (10 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

T&L 595

Internship & Seminar

10

2nd SUMMER SEMESTER (5 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

EdAd 507

Social Foundations of Education*

3

T&L 521

Computer Technology II **

1

TBA

Capstone/E-Portfolio **

2

2nd FALL SEMESTER (3 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

EdPsy 505

Research Methods ***

3

3rd SPRING SEMESTER (3 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

T&L 588 OR T&L 536

Action Research for Teachers OR Qualitative Research

3

3rd SUMMER SEMESTER (3 credits)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

T&L 702

Master's Examination

3

 

*    Courses be applied towards the Master in Teaching degree.
**   Courses are taught in a combined "block"
***  Courses are not required for Secondary Certification

Application Instructions

Step One: Contact an advisor.

  • Contact Academic Coordinator Julie Miller at 360-546-9673 or millerj@vancouver.wsu.edu to schedule an advising appointment to discuss your educational background and career goals.
  • You will be advised of endorsement requirements, testing requirements, and your progress towards completing your content area prerequisites.
  • The Program Coordinator will determine if an official evaluation is appropriate. Proceed to Step 2 only if you are advised to do so by the Program Coordinator.

Step Two: Request a formal evaluation.

  • If the Program Coordinator determines that an official evaluation is appropriate, submit your transcripts with a cover letter requesting a formal evaluation. Be sure to indicate your content area. Please provide complete contact information.
  • Address your evaluation request to:
    Washington State University Vancouver
    Secondary Certification Program
    14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
    Vancouver, WA 98686

Step Three: Review your evaluation summary.

  • You will receive a summary of your evaluation and a letter with instructions on how to proceed with the application process.
  • The summary will identify the prerequisites you still need to complete and will provide information about courses offered at WSU Vancouver that fulfill these requirements.
  • If you have more than 6 semester credits of content area prerequisites remaining, you must complete these courses before you can apply to the program.
    • Contact the advisor indicated in your summary for help in developing a plan to complete the remaining courses.
    • You may take missing content area courses at WSU Vancouver or, with the help of an advisor, arrange to take lower or upper division course equivalents at other institutions.
    • When you have completed your missing content area courses, repeat Step 1.
  • If you have completed all content area prerequisites or have no more than 6 semester credits to fulfill, you are eligible to apply to the program. Your letter will include an application portfolio and an invitation to apply.

Step Four: Apply to the Master in Teaching with Secondary Certification program.

  • Submit completed application materials according to the instructions provided. Applications must be post-marked by the application deadline.The deadline to apply for January 2008 admission is October 1, 2007.
  • Application materials will be reviewed by an admissions committee of WSU Vancouver College of Education faculty.
  • Qualified candidates will be invited to campus for a personal interview with the admissions committee.
  • Applicants will be notified by mail in mid-November of the committee's decision.

Click the appropriate link below to download or open document in Adobe Acrobat.

2008 Secondary Certification Student Handbook

2007 Secondary Certification Student Handbook

2006 Secondary Certification Student Handbook

Performance-Based Pedagogy Assessment of Teacher Candidates

(Click above link to download 59-page MS Word document)

Return to Education Department Home Page
For student advising or information about our Secondary Certification Program, contact: 

Julie Miller, Academic Coordinator
   Library Building Room 210-Y
Phone 360-546-9673
Email millerj@vancouver.wsu.edu
Updated April 4, 2008 by WSUV College of Education Webmaster Debra Barnett

 

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