Already have an undergraduate degree?

You've graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and have decided to bring your passion for your STEM discipline to teaching. Congratulations!

To become a secondary teacher (middle or high school), you will need to enroll in one of two program options available through Western’s teaching college, Woodring. The programs are described below. For either option, completion of requirements for content area endorsement and teaching certificate is necessary.

An endorsement designates the subject and grade level teachers are prepared to teach. Endorsements for most STEM disciplines can be earned through passing a NES test. When you apply to Woodring, Western STEM faculty will review your undergraduate transcripts and may suggest extra courses to gain sufficient content knowledge to be successful on the NES. When endorsement requirements and teaching certificate coursework have been completed, the Woodring Certification Office will recommend you for a 5-12 Teaching Certificate.

Woodring Program Options:

To get your Teaching Certificate you will need to complete one of two Woodring programs:

Post Baccalaureate

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Program requires 4 quarters total at Western Washington University (3 quarters of classes and 1 quarter of student teaching) beginning in either Fall or Winter Quarter.
  • If unable to pass NES endorsement test, can take content courses in College of Science and Engineering prior to admission to Wooding.
  • Tuition costs are lower.
  • Program has more spots for applicants than Master’s in teaching program.

Cons:

  • Program cannot be completed in one year, because there are limited classes and student teaching opportunities during summer quarter.
  • Necessary to apply and be accepted to both Western and Woodring.
  • Starting teaching salary will be lower but years on the job, course work, and workshops attendance will all move you up the pay scale.
  • Completion of the program will provide you with a credential and not an additional, graduate degree.

Masters in Teaching

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Completion of program will provide an additional, graduate level degree, a Master’s in teaching.
  • Program begins in Fall or Spring quarter, providing an opportunity for students who graduate from their undergraduate program mid year.
  • Starting teacher salary higher.

Cons:

  • Program requires an additional quarter of course work (4 quarters of classes and 1 quarter of student teaching) and cannot be completed in one year.
  • Tuition costs per class are higher.
  • Program spots are limited