Admission and Registration
Welcome!
So you want to be an elementary teacher?
Applicants must meet the following:
- WWU student or WWU applicant
- Minimum of 75 college level credits completed by the application due date, or anticipated DTA-AA degree by admissions quarter start date. AP and IB credits can count towards the 75 required credits. For a list of acceptable tests and scores, see Western's Transfer Credit Policies.
- 2.75 GPA (cumulative or last 45+ graded credits). Transcripts will be reviewed for purposes of GPA calculation. Email unofficial transcripts to TeacherEd.Admission@wwu.edu.
- Does not include S/U graded credits or a repeated course.
- Does include failing grades.
- GPA is calculated using the WWU grade point system.
- NOTE: Upon request, we will evaluate GPA prior to applying to the program
- West-B requirement (submitted SAT/ACT/West-B scores to WWU); applicants may not be admitted without meeting this requirement.
- English composition course (ENG 101, COMM 101, JOUR 106) with minimum grade of B-. For other courses, check with Teacher Education Admissions. Exams that meet this requirement:
- AP English Literature or Language, minimum score of 4.
- IB English, minimum score of 4
- Completion of program prerequisites
- Math Prerequisite for all programs
- MATH 111 or MATH 112 minimum grade of C
- ALEKS Math Placement Assessment with a minimum score of 45 required
- For non-WWU students this is an intermediate college Algebra course (e.g. MATH 99 at Whatcom CC or Skagit Valley College with minimum grade of C)
- Course more than 5 years old will not be honored
- SCED 201 - Required for all program options
- Minimum grade of C
- WWU students must request an override code for SCED 201 - contact Lori Torres
- WWU students are encouraged to also take SCED 202, 203, and 204 for remaining Natural Science GURs
- Community College equivalents = Skagit CC PHYS 111, Whatcom CC PHYSC 104
- Math Prerequisite for all programs
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 these majors:
Additional Aligned Majors
Students declaring these majors may be able to get started on major coursework prior to admission
- Anthropology
- Art
- Earth Science
- Environmental Studies
- French
- General Science
- German
- History
- Mathematics
- Psychology: Human Development
- Sociology
- Spanish
Additional majors are possible through advisement. Please contact the ELED Department Manager for more information.
Post-Baccalaureate Applicants
Post-baccalaureate will complete the Elementary Education Professional Program.
Post-baccalaureate applicants are not required to complete a new major, but must request a review of their transcripts to determine if previous course work is program aligned. Email unofficial transcripts to TeacherEd.Admission@wwu.edu.
First Quarter Course Requirements
Students 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
Required ELED Program Courses that Meet General University Requirements (GURs)
- MATH 381 and MATH 382 - Completes Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) Requirement
- ELED 310 - Meets Block B (BCGM) Requirement of Comparative, Gender, and Multicultural Studies
- SCED 201 - Meets one LSCI Requirement of Natural Sciences
Application Deadlines:
Fall Admission - March 1
Winter Admission - September 15
Spring Admission - January 15
Submit an Application
- Due Dates:
- Fall Admission - March 1
- Winter Admission - September 15
- Spring Admission - January 15
- If you are not a WWU student, you must also apply to WWU. This is a separate application.
- Before applying, review the Elementary Education Application Checklist to ensure you meet the requirements.
Submit Your Application Here
- The application will include the following essay questions:
- Please describe one or more of your life experiences (within or outside of a school context) that have been significant in helping you understand issues of equity, diversity and social justice.
- From those life experiences, identify specific lessons that you have learned about what it would mean for you to be a teacher committed to equity, diversity and social justice.
- What additional experiences, qualifications or other information relevant to your potential as a teacher do you wish the Admissions Committee to consider?
- The application will include the following essay questions:
- All applications must be submitted digitally, please do not mail in your application.
Teacher Education Admission Contact Information
360.650.6161, phone
Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9090