CSEL
MAT Routes and Endorsements
Alternative Routes to Teaching
What are alternative routes?
Alternative route programs are designed for career changers and individuals already working in a school system who want to earn a Washington State teaching certificate. Compared to a traditional pathway, where candidates complete their preparation program as part of a bachelor’s degree, alternative routes allow people to obtain their teaching certification through an accelerated program, resulting in both teacher certification and a master's degree. Alternative route programs prepare candidates to meet the same rigorous standards and requirements as traditional bachelor’s degree programs.
The three routes we offer at Central Washington University:
All applicants must pass a background check before their internship begins.
Route 2: For district staff with a bachelor's degree
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Employed by the district in a classroom setting that aligns with the subject content they are seeking to endorse in (for example: A paraeducator working in a special education classroom who wants to endorse in special education).
- District support of the intern completing their internship hours in the classroom in which they are employed.
Route 3: For "career changers" with a bachelor's degree
Designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are not employed in the district at the time of application.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- External validation of qualifications, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers. This includes demonstrated experience with students or children.
- Character references supporting behavior and characteristics of working with adolescents.
Route 4: For district staff with a bachelor’s degree and a limited certificate
Designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are employed full-time in a district on a conditional certificate as the "teacher of record" for one year or more.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Employment full-time at a school district on a conditional certificate when applying to the program
- External validation of qualifications, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers. This includes demonstrated experience with students or children.
- Character references supporting behavior and characteristics of working with adolescents.
Teaching Certificates & Endorsements
Teaching Certificate
Teaching certificates are granted by the state of Washington. Teacher preparation programs recommend candidates to the state upon successful completion of all programmatic coursework, documented internship hours, and state required examinations. At CWU, this process is handled by the Teacher Certification Office.
Endorsements
An endorsement is the specific subject matter or content area(s) listed on a teaching certificate. Earned endorsements appear on the educator’s certificate. All licensed certificates must have at least one endorsement, and some endorsement areas cannot stand alone.
A candidate can obtain up to two endorsements with our MAT program.
As part of the application process – prior to submitting the application – prospective candidates must successfully complete the WEST-E or NES exam for each endorsement area in which they are seeking endorsement. Passing numerical scores must accompany the Graduate School application. Scores must be received by the application deadline.
For additional testing information, and to register for your tests please visit Washington Educator Skills Test.
World Languages Note:
- In addition to the designated world languages WEST-E test above, candidates must complete the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in the specific world language, scoring Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit ACTFL at Language Testing International
Bilingual Education Note:
- Candidates will not only need to complete the WEST-E test in bilingual education but will also need to complete the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at the Advanced-Low level in a world language area. Please visit ACTFL at Language Testing International
English Language Learner & Bilingual Education Note:
- Those seeking either of these endorsements must pair it with a second content area endorsement. The second endorsement cannot be Special Education, Bilingual Education, or English Language Learner.
Science Note:
- Candidates seeking an endorsement in General Science must add an at least one endorsement in the following areas- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Earth & Space Science.
- You may pursue an individual subject endorsement alone. However, we recommend that you add general science or another individual subject endorsement to have a greater chance of finding employment. It is rare that a high school will have the need for a full-time teacher who only teaches physics.
- Which test you take is completely up to you; however, you may have a greater chance of finding employment if you are endorsed in a wider range of subjects.
Middle Level Note:
- We recommend that candidates take the regular endorsement test, and not the middle level tests.
- Middle level tests only endorse for grades 5-8th; whereas the regular secondary ed test endorses for grades 5-12th.
- Which test you take is completely up to you. However, you may have a greater chance of finding employment if you are endorsed in a wider range of grades.
History & Social Studies Note:
- We recommend that if a candidate is only pursuing one endorsement, Social Studies is preferable to History.
- The Social Studies endorsement allows teaching of multiple subject areas: history, civics, geography, and economics.
- The History endorsement allows teaching of only history.
- Which test you take is completely up to you; however, you may have a greater chance of finding employment if you are endorsed in a wider range of subjects.
Theatre Arts Note:
- Those seeking endorsement in Theatre Arts must pair it with a second content area endorsement.
* Program + Test Endorsement Area Note:
- If you plan to endorse in Bilingual Education, English Language Learner, PE/Health, Reading or Library Media - you must have completed coursework from an accredited University in the area in which you plan to endorse prior to applying to the MAT program.
- Please note that completion of an accredited program in your planned endorsement area does not guarantee admission to the MAT program. (posted 10/31/22)
Only one endorsement area test, with a passing score, is required for admittance to the program. You may add a second endorsement at any time before the start of classes for your program.
Additional Endorsements
Once you obtain your initial teaching certificate with your initial endorsement(s) you may add additional endorsements to your certificate.
- Some endorsements can be added through Test ONLY, others require a Program + Test.
- We recommend pursuing Program + Test endorsements through this MAT program.
- If you would like to pursue more than two endorsements, we recommend ensuring that your additional endorsement is listed as Test Only.
- Test Only endorsements can be added to any Teaching Certificate by passing the WEST-E/NES test and submitting an application with fee to OSPI.
- More information from OSPI about adding an endorsement.
Next: Tests
MAT Home | Routes & Endorsements | Tests
Cost | Admission Info | Apply Now
Questions? Contact MATprogram@cwu.edu or 509-963-1448
CWU News
Ellensburg has helped CWU’s Campus Executive Chef reach new heights
September 30, 2026 by David Leder
Comprehensive Healthcare support helps graduate counseling program add faculty
September 23, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
Questions? Contact Us.
Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department
Black Hall 214-25