Program Description
The Elementary Education major prepares teacher candidates to be outstanding K-8 educational leaders and facilitators of learning. Faculty ensure that teacher candidates demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to educate and work with diverse school populations. Students who complete this major may be eligible for a State of Washington certificate with an endorsement in elementary K-8 teaching. Becoming certified is contingent on meeting all admission and certification requirements for the Teacher Certification Program (cwu.edu/teacher-certification).
We offer a robust and rigorous curriculum in supportive and academically rich environments. Coursework maximizes active, authentic, hands-on learning while seamlessly blending pedagogy and practice. High standards are set and manifest in observable ways, such as: (a) the integration of authentic materials and technology, (b) best practices in pedagogy and assessment, (c) the blending of standards-based instruction and creative expression, and (d) the accentuation of a positive classroom
Likely Career Paths
Teach in a Washington State public elementary school.
Key Considerations
- Cost: University-wide costs (cwu.edu/financial-aid/cost-attendance); state-mandated testing and fingerprinting fees, which are not set by CWU but that typically run $200-500 (at time of publication).
- Location: Ellensburg, CWU-Des Moines, CWU-Moses Lake, CWU-Pierce County, CWU-Wenatchee, CWU-Yakima
- Primary contacts: Ellensburg: CEPSAdvising@cwu.edu | CWU-Des Moines and CWU-Pierce County: Susan.Mayne@cwu.edu | CWU-Moses Lake and CWU-Wenatchee: Monica.Medrano@cwu.edu | CWU-Yakima: Melanie.Palm@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/teaching-learning
Course Planning
| CWU Course # | CWU Course Name | Transfer Course # |
|---|---|---|
| EFC 250 | Introduction to Education (4) | EDUC& 202 (or TES) |
| PSY 314 | Human Development and the Learner (4) | PSYC& 200 (or TES) |
| MATH 164 | Foundations of Arithmetic (5) | MATH& 131 (or TES) |
| MATH 226 | Mathematics for Teachers: Geometry and Measurement (4) | MATH& 132 (or TES) |
Other options may be available, we recommend viewing the Transfer Equivalency Site (TES) for other acceptable equivalences or contacting us.
Advising Notes
- A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required in the program.
- The program typically requires seven quarters to complete.
- All major courses must have a grade of C or higher for major and certification requirements.
- Any Washington state DTA (Direct Transfer Agreement) degree will satisfy all general education requirements, but may not meet the Teacher Certification Program course pre-requisite requirements.Requirements can be found at Teacher Certification Program Admission.
- Major requirements may change over time; students will be expected to meet the catalog requirements in place at the time they are admitted to the major. Furthermore, state teaching requirements sometimes change irrespective of catalog year, so students are advised to maintain regular contact with their advisor while at CWU. Current catalog: https://catalog.acalog.cwu.edu/
Other Resources
Admissions: 509-963-1211 | admissions@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/admissions
Financial Aid: 509-963-1611 | FinancialAid@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/financial-aid
Scholarship Information: 509-963-1611 | Scholarships@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/scholarships/
Transfer Center: 509-963-1390 | transfer@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/transfer
Veterans: 509-963-3028 | VA@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/veterans
International: +1-509-963-3612 | intladm@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/programs/international-student-admissions