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College in the High School

Instructor Minimum Qualifications

CWU College in the High School instructors are highly qualified school district teachers that meet the same level of education and experience as CWU adjunct faculty. The CWU academic colleges set the minimum qualifications and assess each teacher to ensure educational integrity. The qualifications are reviewed/updated annually. The application review team consist of the specific academic liaison (CWU faculty), the respective department chair and the college dean. Below are the minimum standards arranged by college and subject matter. In most cases, a Master's degree is required.

Applications for new teachers will open October 1, 2026 at this link:  https://cihs.cwu.edu/instructor/#prospects, and we will accept applications to teach starting in 2027-28 academic year. The minimum qualifications below are for applying during the 2026-27 academic year. 

A printable version of the minimum qualifications can be found on the Forms page, under the Instructor tab.

If your qualifications are close but not an exact match to the information below, please reach out to the Academic Liaison for that department for clarification. Liaison Contact Info

The respective college deans, chairs and faculty set the minimum qualifications outlined below. 

The application deadline is April 30, 2027. 

Colleges

See below for each college and subject/major included.
  • College of the Sciences

    Anthropology

    • Master’s degree required.
    • Masters in Anthropology or a related field or Master of Education and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology
    • ANTH 107

    Biology

    • Master’s Required. 
    • BS/BA in Biology or related science field (must include laboratory science), AND 
    • MS/MA in Biology or related science field (must include laboratory science), OR 
    • MEd plus evidence of teaching proficiency in Biology (ex. National credential, most recent TPEP evaluation, letters of recommendation speaking specifically to proficiency in Biology, etc.)
    • 3 years experience teaching Biology
    • BIOL 101 & 201

    ^Chemistry 

    • Master's required
    • BS/BA in Chemistry AND one of the following: 
    • MS in Chemistry or related science field (must include laboratory science),
    • OR MEd plus evidence of teaching proficiency in Chemistry (ex. National credential, most recent TPEP evaluation, letters of recommendation speaking specifically to proficiency in Chemistry, has taught Advanced Placement Chemistry for more than 3 years, etc.)
    • ^Very limited applications will be accepted for Chemistry teachers during this second year of the pilot program.  

    Environmental Science

    • Master's degree required.
    • BS/BA in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, geography, environmental science) or education with STEM focus; MS/MA natural sciences or MEd.
    • 3 years teaching experience in natural sciences; strong support letters documenting candidate's abilities. 
    • ENST 201 & 202

    Geography

    • Masters in Geography or closely allied field, or Masters in Education with subject area knowledge
    • GEOG 101, GEOG 107, GEOG 111, GEOG 208, GEOG 250

    Geology

    • Master's required. 
    • BA/BS in geosciences required, with upper-level coursework in Geology. 
    • MS in geosciences, science education or related field required. 
    • GEOL 101

    Math

    • BS or BA in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, or a related field
    • Master's degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Education, or related field.

    • Department evaluation will consider the strength of the undergraduate degree, number of graduate mathematics courses, number of years of teaching experience, previous teaching experience with College in the High School, previous teaching experience with Advanced Placement courses, and recognition of teaching excellence via National Board Certification.

      A candidate with a master's degree in a field other than mathematics or without prior coursework in statistics can strengthen their application by taking approved graduate courses through the CWU STEM Leadership Program as recommended by the STEM Leadership Director.
    • MATH 101, 102, 130, 152, 153, 154, 172, 173, 211, 272, 273
    • A PhD in Mathematics (not Education) is required to teach Math 265, 272, and 273

    Physics

    PHYS 101, 103

    • Master’s Required (National Board Certification in Physics may substitute)
    • Undergraduate degree in any STEM field. Master’s degree can be in any discipline.

    PHYS 106, 111, 112, 113

    • Master’s Required (National Board Certification in Physics may substitute)
    • PhD or Master’s in any natural science, engineering, or mathematics field;
    • or a Bachelor’s in Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, and a Master’s in Education;
    • or a Bachelor’s in a science related area not listed above and Master’s in Education and successful completion of CWU PHYS 111 online content training course;
    • or a Bachelor’s in Physics, Mathematics or related field and National Board Certification in Physics;
    • or Taught AP Physics for 3+ years with an undergraduate in any STEM field and masters degree in any discipline

    PHYS 181, 182, 183

    • Master’s degree required (National Board Certification in Physics may substitute)
    • PhD or Master’s in any natural science, engineering, or mathematics field; or,
    • Bachelor’s in Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry and a Master’s in Education; or,
    • Bachelor’s in Physics, Mathematics or related field and National Board Certification in Physics.

    Political Science

    POSC 101, 210, 260, 270

    • Masters degree required.

    • M.A. Poli Sci or similar Dept. preferred but will consider BA in Poli Sci or equivalent with MA in other discipline

    • If MA is not in Poli Sci or similar area:

      POSC 101: Substantial social studies background

      POSC 210:
      Taught AP US Govt, History, International Bacc., or equivalent

      POSC 260:
      Taught AP Comparative Govt or equivalent

    Psychology

    • Master's degree required.
    • Official Transcripts for master’s degree in psychology or master’s degree in related field with at least one graduate level psychology course (prefix PSY) OR master’s degree with at least one psychology relevant course.
    • If no PSY prefix or have taken a psychology course, will review transcripts for any prefix that identifies a psychology course and will then ask for syllabi from that course to determine the breadth of the course.
    • Holds an BA or BS in psychology along with a master’s degree (for example, education or teaching) without a psychology relevant course.
    • Minimum of 2 years’ experience teaching (HS or College level), AP or Honors course preferred. May consider less than two years depending on breadth of teaching experience.
    • PSY 101

    Sociology *

    • Masters' degree required
    • A Master’s degree in any teaching related field will suffice, as long as the instructor has an undergraduate degree, and or extensive course work, in the subject they would like to teach.
    • Teachers with more than 20 years of experience and or National Board Certification in the subject area are encouraged to apply. We may be able to substitute experience for education on a case-by-case basis.
    • 5 years’ experience teaching sociology, social studies or related field.
    • SOC 101, 107, 109
  • College of Arts and Humanities

    Art

    • Master's degree required: Master's in Art Education, Studio Arts, or Art History.
    • Experience teaching art, art appreciation and/or art history.
    • ART 103

    Communications

    Not accepting applications for 2027-28

    • Master's required. MA, MS, or PhD in Communication, Communication Studies, Rhetoric, or closely related field which may include Mass Communication, Media Studies, English, Psychology and other humanities and social science disciplines in connection with experience teaching public speaking - subject to approval by the department chair.
    • Experience teaching public speaking and the high school or college level.
    • COM 250

    English

    Master's in English strongly preferred. Master's in related field acceptable when accompanied by one or more of the following:

    1. Ten (10) graduate-level quarter credits in English Composition/Rhetoric, Literature, or Linguistics/TESOL;
    2. Evidence of excellent professional writing experience through former employment;
    3. Three years of experience teaching college-level English courses (e.g. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Community College, or University).
    • ENG 101, 102, 105

    NEW: English 263 

    (Only accepting 10 new teachers for 2027-28)

    Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, or Master's in English with Creative Writing specialization strongly preferred

    Master's in related field acceptable when accompanied by one or more of the following: 

    • Ten (10) graduate-level quarter credits (or equivalent semster credits) in Creative Writing
    • Three (3) years of experience teaching college level Creative Writing courses at community college or university;
    • Five (5) creative writing publications in past five (5) years in peer-reviewed and nationally recognized literary journals. 

    History

    Masters degree in history required.

    In addition to the MA in History, specialized training or experience appropriate to course being taught. This requirement may be satisfied by one or more of the following:

    • History graduate field in area and chronology of course being taught
    • 15 quarter credits of graduate-level history coursework in area and chronology of course being taught
    • 1 year high school history teaching experience in area and chronology of course being taught

    Additional desired qualifications: experience teaching AP or other college-level history in the high school and/or experience teaching at the post-secondary level. 2 years high school teaching experience.

    The department will consider teachers who have substantial graduate training in history but don't hold the MA. 

    Please also ensure you read the departments expectations here.

    • HIST 143 & 144

    Humanities

    Master's required.

    • MA in either English, History, Humanities, or Philosophy strongly preferred. Masters in related field may be acceptable when accompanied by one or more of the following: 
    • Ten (10) graduate-level quarter credits credits (or equivalent semester credits) in English, History, Humanities, or Philosophy.
    • Three years of experience teaching college-level courses in English, History, Humanities, or Philosophy (e.g. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, community college or university).
    • HUM 101, HUM 102, HUM 103

    Music

    Master’s Required.

    • Master of Music, Master of Music Education, or Master of Arts in Teaching
    • Experience Teaching Music
    • MUS 101, 102, 103, 105

    Theater

    Master's required.

    MA in Theatre, Media & Cultural Studies, Theatre Education, Applied Theatre, Performance Studies or Theatre Arts-related discipline. Master’s in related field may be acceptable only with eighteen graduate-level course credits in a Theatre Arts discipline AND one of the following:

    • Experience teaching theatre at the high school or college level
    • Evidence of three or more years working in the Theatre Arts industry
    • TH 107

    World Languages - Spanish

    Applicants must meet one of the following qualification pathways: 

    Pathway 1: Degree and Endorsement Pathway
    • Bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
    • Master’s degree in Spanish, Education, Second Language Acquisition, or a closely related field; and
    • Current endorsement or certification to teach Spanish

    Teachers who were certified to teach Spanish before ACTFL proficiency requirements were instated will be required to take the ACTFL WPT and OPIc or equivalent (e.g., STAMP) to demonstrate Advanced Low or higher Spanish proficiency.

    Pathway 2: Master’s Degree with Demonstrated Spanish Proficiency
    Applicants who hold a master’s degree in Education, Applied Linguistics, or a closely related field, but do not hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Spanish, must provide evidence of Spanish language proficiency equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Low or higher.

    Pathway 3: Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Without a Master’s Degree
    Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in Spanish or a closely related field but do not yet hold a master’s degree must complete WLC 484 and WLC 485 before applying for approval to teach College in the High School Spanish courses.
    WLC 484 is offered fully online in the winter quarter, and WLC 485 is offered fully online in the spring quarter. Applicants are responsible for completing both courses and submitting documentation when they apply.

     

    World Languages - American Sign Language

    A master’s degree in ASL, Deaf Studies, ASL Linguistics, ASL Literature, Deaf Culture, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.

    Alternative Qualification Pathways
    Applicants who do not hold a master’s degree in ASL may be considered if they meet one of the following conditions:
    1. Hold a current ASLTA certification, either Certified or Master level; or
    2. Hold a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a different field and enroll in CWU coursework in ASL Linguistics, ASL Literature, Deaf Culture, or an equivalent area; or
    3. Receive approval from a full-time CWU ASL faculty member or subject matter expert.

    Applicants Without a Bachelor’s Degree
    Applicants who do not yet hold a bachelor’s degree may be considered on a conditional basis if they work with a full-time CWU ASL faculty member or subject matter expert to develop and follow a plan for completing a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies, ASL, or a closely related field.

    Once the applicant completes the agreed-upon pathway or degree plan, they may reapply and provide updated documentation for review. Applicants are responsible for completing the pathway and submitting the required materials when they reapply.

    • ASL 151 ASL 152, ASL 153
  • College of Education and Professional Studies

    Construction Management

    CMGT 101

    Master's Preferred

    • MS/MA in related field preferred.  Bachelor's in Construction or Industrial Arts related to construction. Extensive industry experience without degrees will be considered.
    • 3 years of teaching and related experience
    • 1 year of field related experience preferred in construction related discipline

    Education

    EFC 250

    EDBL 250

    • Master's Degree and Teaching License. Backgrounds/coursework/experiences in ethnic studies, history, and/or current events. Experience teaching a diverse student population.

    Engineering Technologies

    Masters Preferred.

    Bachelor's in Technology/Engineering or related field

    3 years of teaching and related field experience

    ETSC 101, 145, 160, 265, 277

    • Master's preferred. MS/MA in related field. Bachelor's in Technology/Engineering or related field
    • Three years of teaching and related field experience.

    Family and Consumer Science

    CDFS 232

    Master's Required

    • MS/MA in any field, AND
    • College level education in child development (i.e. passed a course that covered at least prenatal-middle childhood development). 
    • We will provide a pathway for teaching the course if qualifications are not met:  Teachers must either 
      • Pursue (ie. be accepted into the program) either CDFS or FCS Education master's degree through CWU, OR
      • Complete with a grade of B or better both an online CDFS 232 course and virtual CDFS 582 Curriculum Development course through CWU (both can be completed online during a summer quarter).  If a teacher persues this alternate pathway they will receive extra mentorship/visits in the first two years of teaching the CiHS course. 

    Information Technologies

    IT 111
    • Master's strongly preferred.
    • Preferred: Applied experience designing, creating, and maintaining websites and other digital systems.
    • Resume experience in web and digital technologies including experience with HTML and CSS.
    • Resume experience in applying/using MS Office – Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

    IT 202

    • Master's strongly preferred
    • Preferred: MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification and a master’s degree.

    Physical Education

    • Master's required.
    • Master’s degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or Movement Studies.
      MA in Curriculum and Instruction considered with auxiliary coaching or physical education teaching experience.

    Public Health (Health Sciences)

    • Master’s Required. Master’s degree in any Social Science, Education, or Public Health field.
    • 3-years experience teaching at the high school or college level.
    • PUBH 209

    Safety and Health Management

    Master's preferred

    • MS/MA in related field preferred.
    • Bachelor’s in Safety or related field.
    • Extensive industry experience without degrees considered.
    • 3 years of teaching and related field experience
    • SHM 102

     

  • College of Business

    Economics

    Master's strongly preferred.
    • MA in Economics or related field.
      MA in teaching is acceptable with the required experience listed.
    • 3+ years teaching experience in related field.
    • ECON 101, ECON 102, ECON 130
      Note: ECON 101, 102, and 130 require the use of a specific textbook. Contact Econ Liaison Cassandra Koefod with questions cassandra.koefod@cwu.edu 

    Finance and Supply Chain *

    Bachelors with Master’s Strongly Preferred*
    • Experience teaching math, finance, economics, accounting, business or consumer science.
    • FIN 174

* A Master’s degree in any teaching related field will be considered, if the instructor has an undergraduate degree, and/or extensive course work, in the subject they would like to teach. Teachers with more than 20 years of experience and or National Board Certification in the subject area are encouraged to apply. We may be able to substitute experience for education on a case-by-case basis.

 

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