The STEM Teaching Program prepares students to teach science, mathematics, or computer science at the middle school, junior high, or high school levels. To take the STEM Teaching Program, students must also be enrolled in one of the approved majors listed below. To qualify for the Washington State Residency Teaching Certificate, students must, in addition to successfully completing the STEM Teaching Program and their approved major degree, demonstrate proficiency in student learning outcomes through a program portfolio and pass the NES exam and the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) in their endorsement area. Certification eligibility is monitored by the Teacher Certification Office in the School of Education. See the STEM Teaching Program advisor as soon as possible for more information and to develop a course of study.
Approved major degrees:
Biology Major, BA or BS for endorsement in Biology (5-12)
Chemistry Major, BA or BS for endorsement in Chemistry (5-12)
Computer Science, BS for endorsement in Computer Science (K-12)
Geology Major, BA or BS for endorsement in Earth Science (5-12)
Physics Major, BA or BS for endorsement in Physics (5-12)
Mathematics: Secondary Education, BA for endorsement in Mathematics (5-12)
Mathematics: BS for endorsement in Mathematics (5-12)
Mathematics: Middle Level Education, BA for endorsement in Middle Level Mathematics (4-9)
Science: Middle Level Education, BA for endorsement in Middle Level Science (4-9)
Admission Requirements
Full admittance to the Teacher Certification is required to enroll in STP 303 (Knowing and Learning).
Graduation Requirements
- No grade lower than a C in major, minor and STEM Teaching Program courses
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 in major, minor and STEM Teaching Program 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) or overall CWU/transfer cumulative.
Program Requirements
- Fingerprint Clearance - Candidates must have valid WSP and FBI fingerprint clearance in order to complete any course that requires the candidate to be working with P-12th grade children on or off campus. The fingerprint clearance must be valid through the duration of the course. Fingerprint clearance must appear in the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Fingerprinting Database to be accepted.
- Liability Insurance