Mission | Is The APT Program Right For Me? | What Can I Expect?
Program Progression | Program Transitions | Admission Requirements 
Choosing an Alternative Route to Certification | Contact 

Meeting The Need

Washington has a shortage of teachers in the areas of special education, mathematics, and the sciences. While the need for these teachers is widespread across the state, rural districts have the most difficulty recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. Merely preparing more teachers is not the answer to meet current demands. The solution is to address teacher placement and retention in rural schools.

Central Washington University’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers a hybrid online alternative certification program in partnership with school districts in central and southeast Washington (ESD’s 171, 105, and 123).

Mission

Washington has a shortage of teachers in the areas of special education, mathematics, and the sciences. While the need for these teachers is widespread across the state, rural districts have the most difficulty recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. Merely preparing more teachers is not the answer to meet current demands. The solution is to address teacher placement and retention in rural schools.

Central Washington University’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers a hybrid online alternative certification program in partnership with school districts in central and southeast Washington (ESD’s 171, 105, and 123).

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Is The APT Program Right For Me?

Are you an individual with a bachelor’s degree seeking residency teacher certification in a discipline such as science, mathematics, English as a second language, or special education? Are you an individual living in a school district suffering from teacher shortages due to geographic location? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then our online Alternative Pathways to Teaching (APT) program could be the right choice for you.

What Can I Expect?

Ten intensive days of coursework during the summer will be completed on the main CWU campus in Ellensburg prior to placement in a school classroom. You will begin the session with a group of students and then proceed at your own pace.

Program Progression

The online APT program is inquiry-based. Throughout the year, you will complete and implement pieces of evidence for an online portfolio using case studies, chat rooms, and discussion boards. A co-teaching model is used for your internship. You will begin your internship supporting the classroom teacher, and as your skills build, the roles gradually reverse. You will complete a series of transitions that conclude with the submission of a portfolio and passing the teacher performance assessment.

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Program Transitions

Transition I:

• Learn from case studies matching them to state standards and the teacher performance assessment.

Transition II:

• Contribute to cases using actual classroom problems and issues.

Transition III:

• Write case studies.

Transition IV:

• Complete and pass the teacher performance assessment.

Admission Requirements

Thank you for your interest in the Alternative Pathways to Teaching Program at CWU. The following material will be used when reviewing your file:

Click here to download the application to the Alternative Pathways to Teaching-Online program!

• Applicants must complete a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to enrollment in the CWU-Alternative Pathways to Teaching-Online Program. Degrees attained from foreign institutions must be translated and evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an accredited agency.
• Attained a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher from all college coursework.
• Complete the application to the Alternative Pathways to Teaching-Online Program.
• Complete a post-baccalaureate application to Central Washington University.
• Submit official transcript(s) from ALL previous colleges or universities attended. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school to CWU Admissions Office.
• Submit a resume.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Submit passing scores from the Washington Educator Skills Test - Basic (WEST-B).
• Complete an interview. You will be contacted by the Alternative Pathways to Teaching-Online Program Manager to schedule an interview time.
• Submit a passing score on the WEST-E exam in your content area. 
• Submit a completed Character and Fitness Form.
• Have current WSP and FBI fingerprint clearance (verified through the OSPI Fingerprint Database by the CWU Teacher Certification Office).

Information regarding the WEST-B and WEST-E can be found online at www.west.nesinc.com.

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Choosing an Alternative Route to Certification

The state has approved four alternative routes to certification in order to accommodate diverse levels of education and experience.

Route 1:

• Currently not available at CWU.

Route 2:

• Must hold a baccalaureate degree.

Route 3:

• Must be a mid-career professional, not currently employed in the district.

Route 4:

• Must be hired on a conditional or emergency substitute certificate as the teacher of record in the area of need within the district.

Online Program for Prospective Teachers

For additional information contact:
Jesslyn Hollar
Email: hollarje@cwu.edu
Office: 509-963-2433, Fax: 509-963-1049
E-mail: APT@cwu.edu
 

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