Washington State University at Vancouver

What you'll study

The curriculum includes a minimum of 40 semester hours of certification courses plus a year-long field experience. Students develop classroom management, instructional design, differentiated instruction and clinical practice skills. The sequence moves from initial daytime/late-afternoon classes to evening classes paired with a pre-internship, then a full-time internship (five days per week) and ends with a final master’s project course culminating in an in-person presentation.

Entry requirements

Admission is selective. Applicants must hold a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and must satisfy coursework prerequisites for an approved endorsement area. Standard endorsement subjects supported are Biology, English Language Arts, History or Social Studies, and Mathematics; other endorsement subjects may be evaluated on request. Applicants must submit basic skills test scores (ACT, SAT or WEST-B) and pass the required content knowledge test for their endorsement (NES or WEST-E). Documented supervised experience working with K–12 children is required (preferably grades 5–12 in a public school); babysitting or nannying is not accepted and approved experience must be completed within three years of program start. Transcript evaluations of prerequisites take approximately four to six weeks, and applicants must be within two courses (about six semester credits) of completing prerequisites to apply.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for full-time teaching roles in middle school (grades 5–8) and high school (grades 9–12), with subject-matter specialization in Biology, Mathematics, English, History or Social Studies. Additional pathways include curriculum development and institutional instructional coaching within school systems.

Scholarships & funding angle

While the program page does not list specific scholarships, applicants should explore university graduate funding, state or district hiring incentives for residency teachers, and scholarships or grants tied to educator preparation. Consult the program academic coordinator or WSU Vancouver financial aid resources for targeted funding options and advice on balancing the program’s full-time, daytime placement schedule with finances.