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Washington State University
College of Education

Teacher Education – The Plan

“A goal without a PLAN is just a wish… “

You have a desire to teach. We can give you the best start possible to being an effective K-12 teacher. Successful completion of our teacher education program leads to Washington teacher certification. Please read our statement on licensure and state reciprocity.

There are a lot of steps to making your dream of becoming a teacher a reality, but we are here to help.

You will first meet with your academic advisor. They can help guide you through the process.

Secondly, review the advising check sheet for either Elementary Education or Secondary Education. Even though you have an advisor, we want you to be aware of your program requirements and how you are progressing towards completing those requirements.

Here is The Plan, for both Elementary and Secondary Education:

Elementary Education

Program Admission
  1. Complete your university core courses and program prerequisites: advising check sheet. (If you are a transfer student, visit our transfer information page)
  2. Meet the basic skills requirement.
  3. Apply to the Teacher Education program.
Semester 1 of program – Block 1
  1. Request placement for pre-internship and student teaching internship area (both experiences are typically completed at the same location).
  2. Complete pre-residency certificate clearance (background check).
  3. Purchase liability insurance.
  4. Complete your first practicum (TCH_LRN 402).
Semester 2 of program – Block 2
  1. Interview for your pre-internship and student teaching internship placement.
  2. Complete your second practicum (TCH_LRN 405).
  3. Register for (or perhaps even attempt) the content knowledge exam.
Semester 3 of program – Block 3
  1. Purchase (renew) liability insurance.
  2. Complete your pre-internship (TCH_LRN 490).
    1. This experience usually takes place in your home town area.
    2. You will complete the experience in the first 4-6 weeks of a semester – you will not attend courses on campus during this time.
    3. You will be in the classroom full-time.
    4. Complete the PDEFE form.
  3. Return to campus for the remaining 10 weeks of normal courses.
  4. Pass the content knowledge exam.
  5. Pass all of your major and teacher education classes with a C or better.
Semester 4 of program – Block 4
  1. Complete your student teaching internship.

Secondary Education

Program Admission
  1. Choose the subject/content area you want to teach – this will be your major.
  2. Complete courses in your major and review the secondary education advising check sheet.
  3. Touch base with an advisor in your major, as well as our secondary education advisor, to determine when you will be ready to apply to the program.
  4. Meet the basic skills requirement.
  5. Apply to the Teacher Education program
  6. Complete the initial practicum experience and seminar (TCH_LRN 317) – not required for admission, but required to proceed to Block II.
Semester 1 of program – Block 1
  1. Enroll in courses for your major as well as teacher education coursework.
  2. Request placement for pre-internship and student teaching internship area (both experiences are typically completed at the same location).
  3. Interview for your pre-internship and student teaching internship placement.
  4. Complete pre-residency certificate clearance (background check).
  5. Register for (or perhaps even attempt) the content knowledge exam.
Semester 2 of program – Block 2
  1. Purchase liability insurance.
  2. Complete pre-internship (TCH_LRN 469).
    1. This experience usually takes place in your home town area.
    2. You will complete the experience in the first 4-6 weeks of a semester – you will not attend courses on campus during this time.
    3. You will be in the classroom full-time.
    4. Complete the PDEFE form.
  3. Return to campus for the remaining 10 weeks of normal courses.
  4. Pass the content knowledge exam.
  5. Pass all of your major and teacher education classes with a C or better.
Semester 3 of program – Block 3
  1. Complete your student teaching internship.