The purpose of the Secondary Education major is to prepare prospective teachers (candidates) 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.
This major partially satisfies the criteria for a teaching certificate and must be taken concurrently with an endorsement major. Candidates who successfully complete the Secondary Education major (an alternative to the Professional Education Program) and an endorsement major are eligible to apply for Washington State teacher certification. In addition to completing graduation requirements, candidates must meet all Washington State teacher certification requirements. Please see www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/ for the most updated teacher certification requirements.
Candidates should check the university catalog for course descriptions and pre-requisite information. Some courses must be taken in sequence. See an education advisor as soon as possible to develop an academic plan.
Graduation Requirements
Plan GPA of 3.0. No grade lower than a C in any course applied to the major. Concurrent completion of an endorsement major.
Program Requirements
The designated online only option is available only to candidates enrolled in designated online endorsement majors.
Candidates must be fully admitted to the 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 Teacher Certification Program at www.cwu.edu/teacher-certification/.
Fingerprint Clearance and Liability Insurance- 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.
Enrollment in EFC 330 Field Experience and EFC 480 Student Teaching are by permission only and require advance planning and applications. See deadlines and policies on the Office of Field Experiences Website https://www.cwu.edu/academics/field-experiences/index.php
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; and
- exhibit the dispositions of a professional educator, including their understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, relevant law and policy, and educational foundations.
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