Popular Pathways

Degrees Designed to Prepare Teachers

CWU was established over 130 years ago to train teachers and teacher education is still one of our largest and most important programs. CWU offers over 25 different endorsement areas and multiple pathways tailored to diverse needs.  We continue to innovate with novel programs and a deep emphasis on connecting course material to real life experiences through practicums and student teaching.

School of Education Brochure 

Teacher education can be complicated and overwhelming. Start you exploration using our helpful program tool. 

What program is right for me?

Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Teacher Certification Degrees

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

  • Elementary Education (grades K-8) ◊ This popular program develops outstanding general classroom teachers for elementary schools. 

This major is offered in-person on CWU's main campus in Ellensburg, WA, as well as hybrid for transfer students at co-located community colleges in Des Moines (Highline College), Pierce (Pierce College), Moses Lake (Big Bend Community College), Wenatchee (Wenatchee Valley College), and Yakima (Yakima Valley College).

  • Early Childhood Education (birth - grade 3) ◊ Prepare to make a difference with the youngest learners as an early childhood teacher.  This major requires a double major with Elementary Education or Educational Foundations.

Grades Preschool through 12

These programs all require a double major with Educational Foundations or Elementary Education.

  • Special Education ◊  Support diverse learners in inclusive classrooms as a special education teacher. 
  • Art Education ◊ Nurture creativity in future generations as an art teacher.
  • Physical Education and School Health ◊ This cohorted program provides innovative training to teach PE and health.
  • Music - Instrumental or Choral ◊ Our music education programs have long been leaders in the region.
  • Spanish Teaching ◊ Inspire future generations to love languages and cultures as a Spanish teacher. 

Grades 5 - 12

These programs all require a double major with Educational Foundations.

  • Business and Marketing Education (CTE) ◊ Teach and lead business, management, and marketing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in schools.
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (CTE) ◊ Teach and lead child development, nutrition, housing, and finance Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in schools.
  • English Language Arts ◊ The ELA program embraces your passion for making a difference in the lives of your future students.
  • History and Social Studies ◊ Our History Social Studies teaching program is committed to building community through education.

Our math and science programs combine a major in your field (e.g., math) with the STEM Teaching Program major designed specifically for STEM education students.

  • Mathematics: Secondary Education ◊ Cultivate a love of mathematics in future generations as a math teacher.
  • Sciences ◊ CWU offers secondary science teaching endorsements through combining STEM Teaching Program with a major in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Environmental Studies - Geology, OR Physics

Grades 4-9

These programs also combine STEM Teaching Program with one of these two majors that specializes in teaching math or science a the middle or junior high levels.

Endorsement Minors

Add another teaching endorsement to your major with an endorseable minor degree. These give you more training and experience and make you more marketable for a teaching job. Endorsement programs through minor degrees are:

 

Post Bachelor's Teacher Certification Pathway

Masters of Arts in Teaching - This 5-quarter online program is an ideal fit for students who have already earned a Bachelor's degree and want to teach. This cohorted and supportive program integrates practical coursework and strong mentorship with practice and application through fieldwork.

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

CWU has long been a state leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE).  In addition to the Bachelor's degree pathways in Business and Marketing Education and Family and Consumer Sciences Education listed above, CWU offers a Business and Industry Route (Plan 2) CTE Certificate.  

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