Teacher Certification

The Teacher Certification Program is for candidates in a traditional undergraduate majors. All students must complete a Certification Major (Secondary Education, TeachSTEM, or Elementary Education) and an Endorsement Major (subject you want to teach). Elementary Education is the only major that can stand alone as it combines both of these. 

Step 1: Apply to the Teacher Certification Program

Apply to Teacher Certification Program after acceptance to CWU.

• Introduce yourself to your Education Advisor. They can help you with your graduation plan! Contact CEPSAdvising@cwu.edu for assistance getting an Education Advisor!

Step 2: Complete Academic Courses

Complete all Major and Minor coursework. You will need to be fully admitted to the Teacher Certification Program at some point in your required courses for your certification and some courses may require field placement applications in advance.

• If you would like to schedule an appointment to get help on becoming fully admitted to the Teacher Certification Program, sign up for a TCP 201 appointment to get assistance.

Step 3: Apply to Field Experiences

• Consult the Office of Field Experiences website frequently to meet deadlines for field experience course applications.
• If you need help with your e-cert account or pre-residency clearance application, sign up for the TCP 301 appointments!
• Complete pre-requisites and apply to Student Teaching two quarters before end of program.

Step 4: Student Teaching

Complete Student Teaching, and exit content exams. When your degree is awarded and all requirements are received, the Teacher Certification Program will recommend you to OSPI and e-mail you directions on your next steps.

• Register for the TCP 401 webinar around mid-terms of your student teaching quarter to answer your questions about what happens next.

Step 5: Apply for Certification

• Claim your certificate from e-cert. Change lives!

Teacher Certification Program and CWU

The Teacher Certification Program is here to help keep track of the required steps to certification. The Venn Diagram below shows how your academic majors and minors interact with the Teacher Certification Program to get you to the final goal of a Washington Teaching Certificate. If you have any questions please reach out, we are excited to help you successfully reach this goal!

Other Certificate Options

Alternative Pathways to Teaching

If you are looking for a career change and already have at least a bachelor's degree the Graduate MAT program may be a good fit.

Already a Teacher?

For more information on adding an endorsement to current WA teacher certificate please look at our Endorsement Only Program.

Administrative Certificates

Designed for teachers ready to take on leadership roles in their district. There are pathways to becoming a School Principal or a School Administrator, such as a Special Education Director.

School Psychology

CWU offers an Education Specialist (EdS) degree in school psychology which upon completion leads to eligibility for certification as a School Psychologist in the state of Washington.

 CTE Business and Industry Route

Designed for those with three years of industry experience who are interested in transitioning to CTE (career and technical education) teaching