The purpose of the Secondary Education major is to prepare prospective teachers to become facilitators of learning within the school and community. The Secondary Education major curriculum provides opportunities to acquire the pedagogical knowledge and skills that allow candidates to demonstrate a positive impact on K-12 student learning. To this end, the program offers information about and experience in integrating research and pedagogy constructs for a spectrum of diverse learning situations.
Candidates should check the university catalog for course descriptions and pre-requisite information. Some courses must be taken in sequence. Students should consult their advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan.
Department Information
To be certified in the state of Washington, a teacher candidate must complete the courses required for a major in a secondary teaching endorsement area and the courses in the Secondary Education major (50 quarter credits) or CSEL Department approved alternative. The Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department provides the courses and experiences necessary to complete the Secondary Education major. For information regarding Teacher Certification or the Alternative Pathways to Teaching Program please visit www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/.
Department Standards
All candidates completing an educational teaching endorsement must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher for the last 45 graded credits. Failure to maintain this level of achievement may result in suspension or expulsion from the Teacher Certification Program. Candidates must also earn a minimum grade of C in all required Secondary Education major courses.
Admission Requirements
Candidates may apply to the major at any time, but must be fully admitted to the School of Education Teacher Certification Program to continue enrolling in Secondary Education major courses after successful completion of EFC 250, EFC 320, EDBL 401, EDSE 302, and PSY 314, . Please see the admission requirements for the School of Education Teacher Certification Program at www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/.
Exit Requirements
Candidates admitted into the School of Education Teacher Certification Program are required to pass all courses with a C or higher, maintain a GPA of 3.0, and successfully pass Student Teaching Secondary, EFC 470. Please see the exit requirements for the School of Education Teacher Certification Program at www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/.
Student Teaching
Candidates pursuing the Secondary Education major must complete the 2-credit Pedagogy Capstone course, EFC 460, in which they will begin developing their final Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) in the K-12 class they will be assigned for Student Teaching Secondary. Candidates must complete a minimum of 14-quarter credits of Student Teaching Secondary, EFC 470, on an all-day basis for one quarter. To qualify for certification to teach in more than one specialization, candidates must meet all requirements listed in the catalog for each specialization. All prerequisites in the course description for Student Teaching must be completed.
- One quarter in residence at CWU is required before a candidate may be assigned to Student Teaching Secondary, unless an exception is approved by the chair of the Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Dept.
- Candidates must be approved for Student Teaching Secondary by their endorsement area departments. The endorsement requires completion of 75 percent of the major and minor areas prior to Student Teaching Secondary. Please see major and minor departments for advising.
- Most Student Teaching Secondary assignments will be made at schools outside Kittitas County.
- While candidate requests for choice of Student Teaching Secondary districts, schools, and grade levels will be considered, final responsibility for Student Teaching Secondary placement rests with the Associate Director of the School of Education.
- Student Teachers wishing to enroll in additional coursework during their Student Teaching Secondary experience must obtain the approval of the Associate Director of the School of Education and/or the chair of the Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Dept.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 45 quarter credits is required prior to applying for Student Teaching Secondary.
- Candidates must apply for Student Teaching Secondary and meet all the requirements by the posted deadline for each quarter. Please see DEADLINES at www.cwu.edu/field-experience/student-teaching-information
- Fingerprint clearance from both the Washington State Patrol and the FBI must be on file in the office of the School of Education prior to applying for Student Teaching Secondary. Clearance must be valid for the entire period in which candidates will be in the classroom.
- At the time of Student Teaching Secondary application submission, candidates must have an application for state certification on file in the office of the School of Education.
- At the time of Student Teaching Secondary application submission, candidates must provide proof of purchase of $1M of liability insurance for Student Teaching Secondary, valid for the quarter in which Student Teaching Secondary will occur.
- At the time of Student Teaching Secondary application submission, students must provide West-E or NES results or proof of having registered for a West-E or NES test date that will occur prior to the first day of Student Teaching Secondary.
- Candidates are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete the edTPA during Student Teaching Secondary, which is required for initial teaching certification in Washington state.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Make appropriate instructional choices based on learner characteristics and the context of the school and community.
- Implement, and assess a curriculum that is coherent and aligned with state standards.
- Exhibit the dispositions of a professional educator, including their understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, relevant law and policy, and educational foundations.