Washington State University at Vancouver

What you'll study

The curriculum covers core content methods for elementary and middle levels, classroom management, assessment, culturally responsive practices and educational technology. Courses are organised across summer, fall and spring terms, concluding with an intensive student-teaching semester.

• Summer Semester I (second six-week session): TCH_LRN 301 Learning and Development; TCH_LRN 385 Teaching Elementary Social Studies; SPEC_ED 420 Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms (Total 8 credits)
• Fall Semester I: TCH_LRN 305 Fundamentals of Instruction; TCH_LRN 307 Children’s Literature; TCH_LRN 330 Diversity in Education; TCH_LRN 333 Intro to English as a Second Language; TCH_LRN 402 Instructional Practicum & Seminar (Middle Level) I; TCH_LRN 445 Educational Technology (Total 14 credits)
• Spring Semester I: TCH_LRN 321 Early Literacy; TCH_LRN 352 Teaching Elementary Mathematics; TCH_LRN 371 Teaching Elementary Science; TCH_LRN 401 Practicum in Bilingual/ESL Ed. & Seminar (Elementary Level) II; TCH_LRN 414 Methods and Materials for Bilingual/ESL (Total 15 credits)
• Summer Semester II (first six-week session): TCH_LRN 390 Integrating Fine Arts into K-8 Curriculum; TCH_LRN 409 Fundamentals of Curriculum and Assessment for Bilingual/ESL Ed; TCH_LRN 483 Integrating Health and Fitness (Total 9 credits)
• Fall Semester II: ED_PSYCH 401 Classroom Assessment, Elementary; TCH_LRN 310 Classroom Management; TCH_LRN 322 Reading & Writing in Grades 4-8; TCH_LRN 339 Communicating in Diverse Classrooms; TCH_LRN 490 Advanced Practicum (Total 13 credits)
• Spring Semester II: TCH_LRN 415 Student Teaching (16 credits)
• Total program credits shown in published plan: 75

Entry requirements

Applicants must complete the WSU University Common Core (UCORE) or hold an approved AA-DTA from an accredited community college, finish all specified prerequisite courses with grades of C or better, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as determined by Admissions. A basic skills test (ACT, SAT, or WEST-B) covering mathematics, reading and writing is required for Washington state teacher certification; no specific test or minimum score is preferred, but official scores must be on file when applying. Candidates must document at least 80 hours of supervised experience with K–8 children (public school classroom experience preferred; babysitting/nannying do not qualify); those hours must be completed within three years of the program start and verified with the Academic Coordinator. Admission requires an official transcript evaluation and a College of Education application; contact Academic Coordinator Jordan Jackson (jordan.e.jackson@wsu.edu) to request the application link. Admission notifications are delivered between late April and mid-May and classes begin during the second six-week summer session.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for certified teaching roles in grades K–8 and leave the program with an English language learner endorsement. Optional additional endorsements can include special education or middle-level mathematics. The program also supports alternative education careers such as experiential educator at museums/zoos/parks, tutoring or testing-center management, curriculum developer or instructional coordinator, recreation supervisor or camp director, professional development educator, and roles in early childhood education centers or preschools.

Scholarships & funding angle

The published programme text does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult WSU Vancouver financial aid and contact the Academic Coordinator (van.education@wsu.edu) or an academic advisor to explore institutional scholarships, federal aid, and other funding opportunities.