College of Education and Professional Studies

Administration and Organization

Dean
Connie Lambert, PhD (Black Hall, room 228)

Interim Associate Dean
Bill Bender, PhD (Black Hall, room 228)

509-963-1411
Fax: 509-963-1049
www.cwu.edu/education-professional-studies

The primary role of the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) is to support the mission of the university by offering and supporting educational opportunities of the highest quality for students. The mission of the college is to prepare enlightened leaders for the professions and for society-leaders who will commit themselves to socially responsible citizenship in a global society. From the college’s perspective, its role is fulfilled by creating and nurturing an academic environment where quality and excellence are synonymous with achievement. Each academic unit of the college has developed specific goals and objectives to complement this mission.

Departments
Advanced Programs: Henry Williams, EdD (Black Hall, room 241-25)
Aerospace Studies (AFROTC): Jason Densley, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Peterson Hall,
room 203)
Aviation: Amy Hoover, PhD (Black Hall, room 225-1)
Education Foundations & Curriculum: Barry Donahue, EdD (Black Hall, room 101)
Family and Consumer Sciences: Rob Perkins, PhD and Dorothy Chase, PhD (Michaelsen Hall, room 100)
Industrial and Engineering Technology: Lad Holden, PhD (Hogue Hall,
room 107)
Information Technology and Administrative Management: Robert Lupton, PhD (Shaw-Smyser Hall, room 203)
Language, Literacy, and Special Education: Janet Finke, PhD (Black Hall, room 204-6)
Military Science (ROTC): Scott Carpenter, Major (Peterson Hall, room 202G)
Physical Education, School and Public Health: Kenneth Briggs, EdD (Physical Education Bldg., room 114)
Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences: Vincent Nethery, PhD (Physical Education Bldg., room 114)
Teaching Elementary, Adolescent and Young Children: Virginia Erion, PhD (Black Hall, room 101)

Center for Teaching and Learning
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accredited unit that provides oversight for all CWU school personnel preparation programs. The CTL is intended to facilitate communication between and among the respective disciplines that contribute to the preparation of educators. CTL programs include the preparation of teachers, school administrators, school counselors, and school psychologists.
The mission of the center is played out through its theme: Preparing Facilitators of Learning in a Diverse World. To accomplish this mission, private and public school teachers, administrators, counselors, and psychologists from around the state join university faculty who represent the three colleges mentioned above, to establish a professional community. This professional community reaches all corners of CWU and extends to the world of schooling.
Representatives of this professional education community merge under the aegis of the CTL to: (1) design, deliver, and renew candidate recruitment, admission, and retention policies, and procedures; (2) to assess, as an aggregate, candidate knowledge, skills, and dispositions; and (3) to evaluate the efficacy of the CTL for the purpose of maintaining a state approval and national accreditation status.

Conceptual Framework
Supporting the mission, purpose, and governance structure of the CTL is the constructivist philosophy. This philosophy asserts that:

Knowledge is actively created by the learner
Knowledge is constructed or made meaningful when learners relate new information to prior knowledge or existing structures of knowledge
Knowledge constructs are shaped by experience and social interaction
Members of a culture collaboratively establish knowledge.

The CTL director is Connie Lambert. For information about the School Administrator program, contact the Department of Advanced Programs. For information about the school counselor and school psychologist programs, contact the Department of Psychology.

Teacher Certification Program General Information
The Teacher Certification Program is administered through CEPS and the CTL executive board. The provost/vice president for academic and student life in collaboration with the CEPS dean appoints faculty to serve on the advisory council, which advises the CTL executive board on program policies.

Admission Requirements
Admission to the university does not guarantee a student admission into the Teacher Certification Program. Students must be at least conditionally admitted to the Teacher Certification Program prior to enrolling in any courses required in an Education-related Major and/or minor. Students must be fully admitted to the Teacher Certification Program prior to enrolling in any of the Professional Education Program courses housed within the Educational Foundations and Curriculum Department (Black Hall, room 101).

The processing of applications takes time. To insure the thorough review of transcripts, recommendation forms, etc., it is required that all application materials for admission to the Teacher Certification Program be submitted by the following dates: For Ellensburg campus programs-winter, October 1; spring, January 1; summer, April 1; fall, April 1; for university center programs-fall, April 1; for university center programs-fall April 1. For university center programs-please contact the university center.
(All application forms are available online at www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification)

A 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for at least the last 45 graded quarter credits (the total may exceed 45 if an entire quarter is needed to achieve the minimum 45) is required for full admittance into the Teacher Certification Program. A 2.8 GPA for at least the last 45 graded quarter credits will be considered for conditional admittance into the Teacher Certification Program. A 3.0 GPA for at least the last 45 graded quarter credits is required prior to making application to student teaching.

Official or unofficial transcripts for all college/university coursework must be submitted directly to the Teacher Certification office. These transcripts are in addition to transcripts submitted to Registrar Services.

Completed APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Completed Character and Fitness supplement. Answering “YES” to any question on the form will require that you meet with the Certification Officer prior to a decision regarding admission. All court documents should be submitted prior to that meeting. False answers to the questions on the form may result in denial of program admission and/or certification.

Minimum score of 24 on each of two RECOMMENDATION FORMS completed by teachers, employers, or professors (one must be from a professor or teacher). Forms may not be completed by a relative.

Signed FINGERPRINTING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT form.

Pass the WEST-B examination.

Completion of one of the following:

Prerequisite Courses: ENG 101 and 102, and MATH 101, 153, 154, 164, 170, or 172 (with a grade of C or higher in each of the three prerequisite courses): or

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution: or

A Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degree;

Proof of purchase of the College Live Text Edu Solutions software program (i.e., copy of receipt).Software can be purchased directly from livetext.com or from the Wildcat Shop. For those students applying to one of the University Centers, you will not be required to purchase the LiveText software until you have been accepted into the cohort program.

Current WSP and FBI fingerprint clearance is required for at least conditional admittance to the program. Please call 509-963-2662 to schedule an appointment. You may also contact your local Educational Service District (ESD) to schedule an appointment.

Submission of the Dispositional Survey. Once you activate your LiveText account, you are automatically sent the Dispositional Survey. It is located in your Forms box in LiveText. Once you complete the survey, click the submit button. Please call 509-963-2660 if you have any questions.

WEST-B Test
All individuals applying for admission to CWU’s Teacher Certification Program are required to meet the minimum passing score on the WEST-B (Washington Educator Skill Test - Basic). This exam is administered statewide seven times each year. Registration information and test dates can be found online at www.west.nesinc.com.

Note: Failure to begin the program within one year from date of acceptance may result in cancellation of admission.

The completed application packet needs to be submitted to the following address by the appropriate deadline date: Teacher Certification Office, College of Education and Professional Studies, Central Washington University, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7414.

Please be aware that:
No grade lower than a C in major or minor, required English composition courses, and foundation coursework, and no grade lower than a C- in basic and breadth coursework will be accepted for certification.

To remain in the program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA for the last 45 graded credits earned.

Each applicant for admission to the Teacher Certification Program will be notified in writing of the status of his or her application.

Completion of the Teacher Certification Program does not guarantee certification by the state of Washington. In order to be certified, the candidate must demonstrate good moral character and personal fitness as defined by WAC 180-79A-155. Fingerprint clearance from the Washington State Patrol and FBI will be required prior to application for the Teacher Certification Program, practicum, pre-autumn, and/or student teaching. If you have anything from your past that you think may compromise your certification, please seek advisement from the Certification Officer at 509-963-2660 prior to submitting your application.

Teacher Certification Program admission regulations are administered by the CTL. Personal folders are maintained in the Teacher Certification office for each student enrolled in a teaching program at Central.

Transfer Students
Students entering the university with a transferable associate of arts (AA) degree from an accredited Washington community college will need to meet the admission requirements for the Teacher Certification Program prior to enrolling in any education courses. These students are frequently surprised to find that, after finishing two years of community college, they have more than two years left to complete an education degree. This is because the AA degree required 90 credits and, when transferred to CWU, satisfies only the Basic and Breadth requirements, which can generally be completed in 60 credits at CWU. Community college students can make good use of the additional 30 credits required by the AA by selecting courses at the community college which may meet major, minor, or, in some cases, courses in teacher preparation. Check your community college’s equivalency sheet to make certain your courses are equivalent to CWU’s courses for these particular requirements.

WEST-E Test
All teachers wishing to obtain certification must take the WEST-E test in each content area for which they seek endorsement prior to student teaching. Documentation (i.e., registration confirmation, test scores) that the student has registered for a test date that occurs prior to student teaching must be submitted to the Teacher Certification Office prior to applying for student teaching. Final certification will not be awarded until successful completion of the WEST-E is earned. Test information and registration is online at www.west.nesinc.com.

Alternative Admissions Procedures to Teacher Certification
Students who do not have the required grade point average, or who do not pass portions of the WEST-B test may apply for provisional admission to the Teacher Certification Program by alternative means.

PROCEDURE

1. Applications will be made in writing to the candidate admissions, recruitment, and retention committee in care of the Certification Officer. The deadline for application will be the first Friday of the quarter preceding the quarter admission is desired (fall quarter applicants deadline will be the first Friday of spring quarter.) The written application will include the following:

a. A letter from the applicant’s major advisor that supports the following:

Applicant’s academic ability, service experience, growth, commitment, and motivation
Potential for graduate study (following graduation from the undergraduate program)
Potential for success in working with diverse groups
Other criteria appropriate to the applicant’s potential as a teacher
Other extenuating circumstances that may have affected the applicant’s grades and test scores

     b.   One supporting letter from a former employer, supervisor, or other individual knowledgeable of the applicant’s experiences in working with young people

      c.   A personal essay by the applicant that describes his or her educational goals and objectives

2.   An interview with the Candidate Admissions, Recruitment, and Retention committee (CARR) may be required.

3.   Those admitted will be monitored on a quarterly basis by the CARR committee, and will meet all admission requirements prior to student teaching.

4.   Students who have been admitted to the Teacher Certification Program via the CARR committee will receive personal guidance to facilitate completion of their undergraduate degrees and receipt of their certificates.

5.   For further information, contact the Certification Officer at 509-963-2660.

Graduation/Certification Requirements for the Teacher Certification Program

No grade lower than a C in major, minor, composition courses, and professional education foundation courses
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in major, minor, and professional education foundation courses
Minimum GPA of 3.0 for last 45 graded quarter credits (the total may exceed 45 if an entire quarter is needed to achieve the minimum 45)

Major and Minor Concentrations

To achieve certification, students must select a major, which leads to a university endorsement for teaching in schools in Washington. The following majors are endorsements offered at CWU. Students should contact the departments to request information about major requirements.

Endorsable Majors
Biology: Teaching Major
Chemistry: Teaching Major
Early Childhood Education Major
Earth Science Teaching Major
Elementary Education Major
English/Language Arts: Teaching Major
Family and Consumer Sciences Career and Technical Education Teaching Major
Foreign Languages: Teaching Foreign Languages: Teaching Broad Area: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Russian Major
General Science Teaching Major
History: Social Studies Teaching Major
Mathematics: Teaching Secondary Major
Middle Level Math and Science Teaching Major
Music: Broad Area Specialization
Music: Choral Music Specialization
Music: Instrumental Music Specialization
Physical Education and School Health
Physics Major (BA)
Spanish Teaching Major
Spanish Teaching Broad Area Major
Special Education P-12 Major
Special Education P-12 Broad Area Major
Technology Education Broad Area Major
Technology Education Major
Theatre Arts: Teaching K-12 Major
Visual Art: Teaching Major

A major endorsement will be required to obtain a teaching certificate. Minor endorsements are optional. The following minors are endorsements offered at CWU. Students should contact the departments to request information about requirements.

Endorsable Minors
Bilingual Education/Teaching English as a Second Language Minor
Biology Teaching Secondary Minor
Chemistry Teaching Minor
Dance Teaching Minor
Early Childhood Education Minor
Literacy Minor
Mathematics: Teaching Secondary Minor
*(Math minor will not be endorsed if combined with Elementary Education major, unless student teaching is also done in the math area.)
Middle Level Mathematics Minor
Middle Level Science Teaching Minor
Physics Minor
Science Education: Broad Area Science Teaching Minor
Teaching English as a Second Language Minor

Certification
Central is in compliance with the No Child Left Behind federal legislation. It is a public institution that is accredited both regionally and nationally.

CWU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). NWCCU is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Additionally, CTL, the unit that oversees all CWU Teacher Certification Programs, is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE accreditation recognizes CTL as meeting national standards for the content and operation of the unit and ensures performance of a teacher candidate in the program has been thoroughly assessed before he or she is recommended for licensure. It also ensures that programs meet standards set by the teaching profession at large.

CWU’s Teacher Certification Program is approved by the Washington State Board of Education to offer programs, which lead to teacher certification. To be awarded Washington certificates, candidates must be at least 18 years of age.

Graduates of the Teacher Certification Program are legally qualified for certification in states, which are party to the interstate certification compact.

Residency Certificate
The residency-teaching certificate is normally awarded simultaneously with the bachelor’s degree. Individuals who hold, or have held a residency-teaching certificate and are enrolled in a professional certificate program, may have the certificate renewed for an additional two years upon verification the individual is enrolled in a professional certificate program.

Professional Certificate (Pro Teach Program)
The Pro Teach Portfolio is an evidence-based assessment designed for teachers seeking the Washington professional certificate. Teachers who hold a residency certificate must meet the passing score set on the Pro Teach Portfolio (determined by the Professional Educators Standards Board) in order to earn their professional certificate. The Pro Teach Portfolio evaluates teachers on their ability to impact student learning as stated in the 3 standards–effective teaching, professional development and professional contributions– and 12 criteria for the professional certificate approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). Visit www.waproteach.org/index.html for more information.

To maintain the continuing (professional) certificate, each person must complete 150 clock hours of approved in-service education and/or 15 college or university credits every five years.

Information regarding CWU’s Pro Teach Support Program can be found online at www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/preparing-pro-teach or you may contact the Director of the Professional Certificate Program at 509-963-1425.

Endorsement-only Program
CWU’s endorsement-only program is available to certified teachers who hold the Washington State initial, residency, or continuing teaching certificate and who wish to add a teaching endorsement to their certificate. Teachers interested in obtaining an endorsement from CWU should obtain an application online at www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/endorsement-programs. Once an application and transcripts are submitted, a credit evaluation will be completed.

To qualify for an endorsement to teach in more than one specialization, students must meet the requirements for each specialization.

Certification Only
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree who desire certification must follow the guidelines for admission to Teacher Certification. Certification-only students may earn the residency-teaching certificate by satisfactorily completing the professional foundation courses and at least one college endorsement program. Final approval of the college endorsement program lies with the individual’s content area.

Alternative Pathway to Teaching Regional Consortia Program

General Information
CWU is the lead/recommending institution for this program, which includes Pacific Lutheran University, Heritage University, and Western Washington University as partners. The goal of the consortia program is to prepare teachers in state-identified shortage areas for jobs in communities where they currently live. The minimum number of interns accepted into the program shall be 10; the maximum to be accepted shall be 25.

All courses, regardless of offering institution, will be completed, in-person, at CWU-Yakima, which is located at Yakima Valley Community College, Deccio Higher Education Building, 1000 S. 12th Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902. Distance education, K-20, or internet/hybrid classes will not be available for this program. Please go to www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification for more information.

Admission Requirements
Students with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in subject matter shortage areas (special education, mathematics, general science, middle school mathematics and science, chemistry, physics, biology, English as a Second Language, bilingual, Mandarin and/or Japanese) and/or areas of shortage due to geographic location as documented by the partnership districts,

AND

District validation of qualifications, including one year of successful student interaction and leadership as classified staff; and
Who meet the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements for teachers (all candidates must have fingerprint clearance prior to assignment to a classroom); and
Who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the most recent degree conferred.
Who have successfully passed the statewide basic skills exam (WEST-B*) and content area test (WEST-E*) for the endorsement area(s) for which certification is sought. Information about the tests and testing schedules may be accessed at www.pesb.wa.gov/.

Mid-career professionals with a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution who are not employed in the district, or who hold an emergency substitute certificate. Priority shall be given to individuals with degrees that qualify them for endorsements in the subject matter shortage areas noted above or identified by partnership districts within the consortia programs,
AND

Who have, at a minimum, one-year career work experience;
Who provide external validation of qualifications, including demonstrated successful experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers;
Who meet the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements for all teachers (all candidates must have fingerprint clearance prior to assignment to a classroom); and
Who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the most recent degree conferred.
Who have successfully passed the statewide basic skills exam (WEST-B) and content area test (WEST-E*) for the endorsement area(s) for which certification is sought. Information about the tests and testing schedules can be accessed at www.pesb.wa.gov/.

Mid-career professionals with a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution who are employed in a school district under an emergency substitute certificate in a content shortage area and who meet the qualifications listed immediately above.
For additional admission requirements, please contact program director.

Program Requirements:
The total number of credits for successful completion of the program is 24.5, with 8 of these being completed through CWU. The courses to be completed at CWU are:

ECTL 470 - Alternative Pathways to Teaching: Seminar Series (2)
ECTL 480 - Alternative Pathways to Teaching: Curriculum Planning (3)
ECTL 490 - Alternative Pathways to Teaching: Internship (3)

The remaining 16.5 credits will be completed through the three partner universities.

Full descriptions can be reviewed in the Undergraduate course section under Center for Teaching and Learning.

Recency of Coursework
Education courses may not be older than 10 years at the time of graduation/ certification.