School of Education

College of Education and Professional Studies
School of Education
Ellensburg
Black Hall, Room 228
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/education/

Administration and Organization

The School of Education (SOE) is located administratively within the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS), and the CEPS Dean has general oversight and responsibility of the SOE. The SOE Director and the CEPS Dean work as leadership partners for matters pertaining to the SOE. SOE programs span CEPS, the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) and the College of the Sciences (COTS). The CEPS, CAH, and COTS Deans provide final approval for SOE policies and procedures and are advised by the SOE Executive Committee made up of representation from all three colleges. The most up to date SOE policies and procedures can be found on the SOE website: https://www.cwu.edu/academics/education/school-of-education-policies.php

CEPS Dean
Sathyanarayanan (Sathy) Rajendran (Black Hall, room 228)

SOE Director
Jennifer Dechaine (Black Hall, room 228-5)

Staff
Jan Case, Field Experience Assistant
Kaitlyn Farr, Administrative Assistant, School of Education and Teacher Academies
Dawn Harry, Director of Teacher Academies, Student Teaching, and Field Supervision
Charles Imperatori, Teacher Certification Program Specialist
Traci Pantano, School of Education Assessment Coordinator and Data Consultant
Danielle Tushkov, Teacher Certification Manager and Certification Officer

School of Education General Information

The purpose of the School of Education (SOE) is to coordinate and oversee all educator preparation programs at Central Washington University. Educator preparation programs are defined as those programs that are overseen by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). The SOE also contributes to the coordination of master’s degree programs that are associated with programs overseen by PESB or offered primarily to graduates of PESB programs. In conformity with Washington State Administrative Code (WACs) and standards published by PESB, CWU shall maintain a separate unit, The School of Education (SOE), is charged with the responsibility for the composition and organization of the educator preparation programs at CWU, as well as data collection and reporting to the PESB.

Teacher Certification Program

Admission to the university, major or minor programs does not guarantee a student admission into the Teacher Certification Program. Students in any teacher preparation program must be fully admitted to the Teacher Certification Program to enroll in “phase 2” education-related courses.

Certification in Washington State is regulated through the Professional Educator Standards Board and the WACs set by the State Legislature. Due to the ever-changing nature of education in Washington, all current requirements to be a certified teacher can be found at the Teacher Certification Program website at https://www.cwu.edu/academics/teacher-certification/.Completion of a School of Education program does not guarantee certification by the state of Washington.

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing any degree in education will need to meet specific course prerequisites, testing, GPA requirements, and be of good moral standing for full program admission. For specific admission requirements and to apply online, please read the Teacher Certification Program Admission website at https://www.cwu.edu/academics/teacher-certification/program-admission.php.

Each applicant for admission to the Teacher Certification Program will be notified in writing, via their CWU e-mail of the status of their application.

Transfer Students

Students entering the university with a transferable associate of arts (AA) or a direct transfer agreement (DTA) from an accredited Washington community college, will need to meet the admission requirements for the Teacher Certification Program. Admissions to the program are separate from the university’s admission requirements. This may include taking a general education course unsatisfied by the AA/DTA. Check your transfer college’s equivalency sheet to make certain your courses are equivalent to CWU’s courses for these requirements.

Endorsement Areas

CWU offers degrees leading to dozens of teaching endorsements. These majors and minors meet the endorsement competencies defined by the Professional Educator Standards Board, and lead to Washington state approved endorsements. Students should contact the departments to request information about program requirements.

For a full list of current endorsements offered please see our Endorsements page on our website at https://www.cwu.edu/academics/teacher-certification/endorsements/endorsement-programs.php.

Add-On Endorsement Program

CWU’s Add-On Program is available to certified teachers who hold a valid Washington State Residency Teaching Certificate or higher. Teachers interested in adding an endorsement from CWU can find the program options and application on the Teacher Certification Program Adding an Endorsement website at https://www.cwu.edu/academics/education/career-advancement/certified-teachers-adding-endorsements.php. Once an application, program fee and transcripts are received, a credit evaluation will be completed and used as the contract for required coursework.

Education courses older than 10 years at the time of graduation/certification will need department approval to be used toward add-on endorsement requirements.

Accreditation and State Compliance

School of Education admission regulations are administered by the College of Education and Professional Studies.

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.

CWU’s School of Education is approved by the state of Washington’s Professional Educators Standards Board and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to offer programs, which lead to teacher certification. To be awarded Washington certificates, candidates must be at least 18 years of age.

CWU maintains out of state teacher license reciprocity and disclosure information on our online programs resources site here: https://www.cwu.edu/about/campus-locations/online/out-state-resources/out-state-teacher-license-disclosure.php. Requirements for licensure can change without notice, therefore it is important to contact your State Department of Education to confirm reciprocity with your state. A list of state contacts and information can be found at the U.S. Department of Education at https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html?src=gu.