Elementary Education

Welcome!

Schedule an advising appointment or reach out via email to Megan.Brown@wwu.edu with questions.  

Whether you’re already part of our program or simply exploring your options, we invite you to take some time to review the resources on our website. The path to earning a teaching certificate can feel complex, but understanding the forms, deadlines, requirements, and materials will help set you up for success.

Our elementary education programs are thoughtfully designed to prepare knowledgeable, reflective, and effective educators who are ready to make a difference in a diverse society. Guided by state and national standards, our carefully sequenced curriculum is grounded in current research on effective teaching and learning. Along the way, we encourage our students to think critically, solve problems, make informed decisions, and demonstrate respect for others.

Woodring College of Education fosters community relationships and a culture of learning that advance knowledge, honor diversities, and promote social justice. We are dedicated to preparing thoughtful, knowledgeable, and effective educators for a diverse society. 

Prospective elementary education students are invited to meet with an advisor for more information about the program. 

We look forward to supporting you on your journey to becoming an educator!

Program-Aligned Majors

The undergraduate Elementary Professional Program is a teacher preparation program that leads to certification and an endorsement to teach Elementary Education. Students who desire to pursue this program can choose from the following majors: 

Woodring Majors

Students must be admitted to the Elementary Education Program to declare this major:

• Elementary Education, BAE 

 Additional Aligned Majors

Students seeking to teach in a specialized content area and/or at the middle school level may want to pursue a content-specific major below. Students declaring these majors may be able to get started on major coursework prior to admission.

• Anthropology — Elementary, BAE
• Art — Elementary, BAE
• Earth Science — Elementary, BAE
• Environmental Studies — Elementary, BAE
• French — Elementary, BAE
• General Science — Elementary, BAE
• German — Elementary, BAE
• Mathematics — Elementary, BAE
• Sociology — Elementary, BAE
• Spanish — Elementary, BAE 

Additional majors are possible through advisement. Please contact the ELED Department Manager for more information.

First Quarter Course Requirements

Students accepted to the major are required to take the following courses during their first quarter in the program unless already completed:

• ELED 311 – 1 credit
• ELED 305 – 5 credits
• ELED 460 – 5 credits
• MLE 441 – 5 credits