Advising Resources

General advising

Review the resources below to learn more about entering Woodring programs.

New Student Advising 


 

Program Offerings 


 

Majors vs Endorsements  


 

Admission Tips 


 

Advising Handbook 

Picture of Miller Hall with the works Woodring College of Education, Teacher Education Admissions Handbook, Bellingham Campus

 


 

Woodring College of Education, Program/Major Options, Program/Major Preparation

 

Recommended Reading List

Below is a list of recommended reading for students interested in Woodring programs. These texts are a way for students to engage with education and social justice topics beyond WWU courses.

Recommended GURs

Below is a list of recommended General University Requirement (GUR) courses, not requirements. It is essential for students to check the WWU Catalog Program of Study for possible major courses and/or prerequisite courses that also fulfill GURs. 

Complete Block A (ACOM) and one course from either Block B (BCOM) or Block C (CCOM)

A English composition course with B- or above is a requirement of Woodring Teacher Prep Programs

  • ACOM
    • ENG 101 Writing Your Way Through WWU (5)
  • BCOM
    • ENG 202 Writing about Literature (5)
    • JOUR 207 Newswriting (4)
    • PHIL 107 Logical Thinking (3)
    • EDUC 309 Storytelling (4)
      • This is a ‘WWU Online’ course check with an advisor about additional costs.
  • CCOM
    • ENG 201 Writing in Humanities (5)

Complete 3 courses from the approved WWU GUR list. At least 2 of the courses must include a Lab Science (LSCI)

  • LSCI
    • SCED 201 Matter & Energy in Physical Systems (4)
      • Prerequisite for Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education Programs
    • SCED 202 Matter & Energy in Earth Systems (4)
    • SCED 203 Matter & Energy in Life Systems (4)
    • SCED 204 Matter & Energy in Life Systems (4)
  • SCI
    • ENRG 101 Energy and Society (3)

12 credits minimum; 3 or more approved WWU GUR courses from at least 2 departments

  • HUM
    • HIST 103 American History 1865 (5)
    • HIST 104 American History since 1865 (5)
    • COMM 220 Communication Theory (5)
    • Modern and Classical Languages numbered 200 and above

12 credits minimum; 3 or more approved WWU GUR courses from at least 2 departments

  • SSC
    • EDUC 109 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (4)
    • EDUC 115 Introduction to Education Professions (4)
    • ENVS 202 Intro to Environmental Studies and Sustainability (3)
    • LING 201 Introduction to Language and Linguistics (5)
      • Prerequisite* for the Elementary Education Program
        • *ELL 431 is an equivalent prerequisite and is preferred by the Elementary Education program. ELL 431 is not a GUR.
    • LING 204 Sociolinguistics (4)
    • PLSC 101 Government & Politics in the Modern World (5)
    • PLSC 250 American Political System (5)
    • FAIR 311B The United States Legal System (5)

Complete 2 courses, one from Block A (ACGM) and one from Block B (BCGM)

  • ACGM
    • EXCE 101 Elementary ASL/Culture (5)
      • Prerequisite for Special Education Programs
    • INTL 201 Intro to Global Studies (5)
    • MUS 205 Survey World Musical Cultures (3)
    • Modern and Classical Languages numbered 200 and above
  • BCGM
    • EXCE 205 Disability, Diversity and the Mass Media (4)
    • C2C 203 Mentoring and Social Justice (5)
    • SOC 269 Race and Ethnic Relations (5)
    • COMM 260 Comm. Identity and Difference (5)
    • ELED 310 Education, Culture, and Equity (5)
    • PSY 119 Psychology of Gender (5)
    • AMST 301 Comparative Cultural Studies (4)
      • Other AMST recommendations:
        • AMST 203, 204, 205, 206, 242, 252

Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning GUR

It is highly recommended to take the ALEKS math placement assessment before registering for courses at WWU

  • Science and Mathematics majors/endorsements
    • Start early on the math requirements for your major/endorsement area
    • Review the 5 QSR options to ensure the math requirements of your major/endorsement meet the requirements of the QSR GUR
  • Designated Arts, World Languages and Humanities majors/endorsements
    • Check your major/endorsement carefully for math requirements
    • For majors/endorsements with no math requirements take these recommended courses to complete the QSR GUR:
      • Math 107 Math Reasoning & Applications (4)
      • Math 108 Math Applications & Reasoning (4)
  • A score of 45+ on the ALEKS math placement assessment OR completion of Math 112 or Math 111 (C or above) fulfills the prerequisite for Math 381. Math 381 alone does not fulfill the QSR GUR.
  • Take the ALEKS math assessment
    • For scores above 45, take:
      • Math required for endorsement area OR
      • Math 107 Math Reasoning & Applications (4) AND Math 108 Math Applications & Reasoning (4)
    • For scores between 44-36, take:
      • Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math required for endorsement area OR
      • Math 107 Math Reasoning & Applications (4)
    • For scores below 35, take:
      • Math 099 Introductory Algebra (5)
      • Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math required for endorsement area OR Math 107 Math Reasoning & Applications (4)
  • A score of 45+ on the ALEKS math placement assessment OR completion of Math 112 or Math 111 (C or above) fulfills the prerequisite for Math 381. Math 381 and 382 together fulfill the QSR GUR. These Math sequences will be completed after admission to Woodring programs.
  • Check your program aligned major for any additional math requirements
  • Take the ALEKS math assessment
    • For scores above 45, take:
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-30, take:
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5)
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-36, take:
      • Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores below 29, take:
      • Math 099 Introductory Algebra (5)
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5) OR Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
  • A score of 45+ on the ALEKS math placement assessment OR completion of Math 112 or Math 111 (C or above) fulfills the prerequisite for Math 381. Math 381 and 382 together fulfill the QSR GUR. These Math sequences will be completed after admission to Woodring programs.
  • Take the ALEKS math assessment
    • For scores above 45, take:
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-30, take:
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5)
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-36, take:
      • Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores below 29, take:
      • Math 099 Introductory Algebra (5)
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5) OR Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 381 Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 382 Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4)
  • A score of 45+ on the ALEKS math placement assessment OR completion of Math 112 or Math 111 (C or above) fulfills the prerequisite for Math 371. Math 371 and 372 together fulfills the QSR GUR.
  • Take the ALEKS math assessment
    • For scores above 45, take:
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-30, take:
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5)
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-36, take:
      • Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores below 29, take:
      • Math 099 Introductory Algebra (5)
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5) OR Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
  • A score of 45+ on the ALEKS math placement assessment OR completion of Math 112 or Math 111 (C or above) fulfills the prerequisite for Math 371. Math 371 and 372 together fulfills the QSR GUR.
  • Students may take Math 381 and 382 if they wish to pursue the Special Education P-12th grade endorsement as part of their program.
  • Take the ALEKS math assessment
    • For scores above 45, take:
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-30, take:
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5)
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores between 44-36, take:
      • Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)
    • For scores below 29, take:
      • Math 099 Introductory Algebra (5)
      • Math 111 Functions and Algebraic Methods for Teachers (5) OR Math 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (5)
      • Math 371 Teaching P-3 Mathematics I (4)
      • Math 372 Teaching P-3 Mathematics II (4)

Gain Experience and Prepare

It's highly recommended for prospective students to gain experience working with the community they are interested in serving. For example it’s recommended for  a prospective high school science teacher to gain experience in a high school science classroom or in a science based after school program. Having experience in the field will help prepare students to be successful in Woodring programs and future careers. We also recommend students engage with education and social justice topics and participate in cross cultural experiences in preparation for Woodring programs.

  • Compass 2 Campus is the mentoring program at Western Washington University. It is designed to increase opportunities toward higher education by providing mentoring for 5th-12th grade students from traditionally underrepresented and diverse backgrounds in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
  • Consider taking one of the following courses at WWU to participate in this program
    • C2C 201 (3-credits)
    • C2C 202 (3-credits)
    • C2C 203 (5-credit BCGM, GUR)
  • Compass 2 Campus also has several volunteer and employment opportunities for WWU students. 

The Education and Social Justice (ESJ) Minor integrates theory and practice (praxis) to equip students with the skills and knowledge for understanding the complex relations of culture, power, systems of oppression, and movements for social justice, particularly as it connects to children, youth, and schooling. As an interdisciplinary program, the ESJ Minor draws on a range of critical theories (both scholarly and grassroots-movement based) to frame and address economic inequality and poverty; corporate and state power; settler colonialism and imperialism; war and state violence; environmental harm; consumerism and commodification; and struggles over space, place, and territory. 

The reading tutor program is a Work Study position. WWU students tutor elementary age students at local elementary schools. Look for openings at WWU Student Employment Center

Woodring College of Education is committed to transformational change that supports increased understanding and respect for all people and cultures.  One of the ways the College fulfills this commitment is through the work of its Equity and Diversity Committee. The Equity and Diversity Committee strives to promote equity among all people with attention to those who have experienced systemic social injustice based on their ethnicity, race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, language, socio-economic status, or religion.

Contact Woodring.advising@wwu.edu for a zoom link and meeting times.

At times community members reach out to Woodring with opportunities for education interested students. Check this page each quarter for updates.

  • Behavioral Intervention Specialist Assistant:
    • About 30 hours a week, awesome direct experience in the classroom, flexible schedule, and a foot very firmly in the door for those hoping to teach. A nice opportunity for students with classes grouped early or late, or recently former students currently engaged in employment unrelated to their vocation. Experience not required, training provided.
    • Contact: Adam Phillips, Adam.Phillips@ferndalesd.org

Financial resources

There are several financial resources available to students. We encourage students to review all options to support their success in Woodring programs.