The mission of the University of Washington Tacoma Education Program is to prepare ethical and reflective educators who transform learning, contribute to the community, exemplify professionalism and promote diversity.
The Bachelor of Arts in Education focuses on preparing ethical and reflective educators who transform learning, engage families and communities, exemplify professionalism, and promote justice in K-12 education. The program of study includes coursework and fieldwork in partner K-12 districts. The program emphasizes anti-racist/decolonizing, equity-centric, and inclusive pedagogies. This program will prepare students to be recommended for Washington State Residency Teacher Certification in Elementary Education. Students must choose a concentration that will lead to a second endorsement in either Teaching English Language Learners or Special Education. Successful completion of all program and state requirements prepares students to begin a teaching career upon graduation.
Admission to the BA in Education program may be declared following:
To remain in good standing, students must maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA in the major and at least a 2.50 grade for each course that counts toward teacher certification. Students are also held to professional conduct and dispositions standards as articulated by the program and the state’s Professional Educators Standards Board.
The Bachelor of Arts in Education focuses on preparing ethical and reflective educators who transform learning, engage families and communities, exemplify professionalism, and promote justice in K-12 education. The program of study includes coursework and fieldwork in partner K-12 districts. The program emphasizes anti-racist/decolonizing, equity-centric, and inclusive pedagogies. This program will prepare students to be recommended for Washington State Residency Teacher Certification in Elementary Education. Students must choose a concentration that will lead to a second endorsement in either Teaching English Language Learners or Special Education. Successful completion of all program and state requirements prepares students to begin a teaching career upon graduation.
For Education, you need to complete minimum 117 credits to meet the degree requirements. You must earn a total of 180 quarter credits, or 225 quarter credits for a double degree, to earn a bachelor degree in your chosen major.
Completion Requirements (40-41 credits)
Part 1- Documented Academic Breadth* Cognate Requirements. For each subject cognate listed below, applicants must document completed college courses, including the year taken and grades received. A minimum grade of 2.0 (or grade of C) in each cognate course is required.
Mathematics Cognate (15 Credits)
Students must take 1 year of math content courses. See Education Major website for the approved list of Mathematics Cognate courses.
Science Cognate (5-6 Credits)
Students must take 1 science course. See Education Major website for the approved list of Science Cognate courses.
Critical Humanities and Ethnic Studies/Socio-cultural Cognate (10 Credits)
A student must take 10 credits to satisfy this cognate. 5 credits must be from the Critical Humanities cognate and 5 credits from the Ethnic Studies/Socio-cultural cognate. See Education Major website for the approved list of Critical Humanities and Ethnic Studies/Socio-cultural Cognate courses.
Psychology Cognate (10 Credits)
Students must take AT LEAST 1 Developmental Psychology course to fulfill this requirement. See Education Major website for the approved list of Psychology Cognate courses.
Part 2- Documented Core Course List & Specialty Endorsement Requirements. For each area listed below, a minimum grade of 2.0 (or grade of C) in each area is required.
Part A- Education Core Course List (18 Credits) for All Tracks
T EDUC 310 (5)
T EDUC 402 (3)
T EDUC 471 (5)
T EDUC 482 (5)
Part B- Teaching Foundations & K-8 Pedagogy Course List (27 credits for K-8 & TELL/24 credits for K-8 & SPED)
Teaching Foundations & K-8 Pedagogy for K-8 & TELL Track (27 credits)
T EDUC 410 (3)
T EDUC 426 (3)
T EDUC 449 (3)
T EDSP 441 / T EDUC 441 (3)
T EDUC 448 (3)
T EDUC 460 (3)
T EDUC 461 (3)
T EDUC 462 (3)
T EDUC 474 (3)
Teaching Foundations & K-8 Pedagogy for K-8 & SPED Track (24 credits)
T EDUC 410 (3)
T EDUC 426 (3)
T EDUC 449 (3)
T EDUC 460 (3)
T EDUC 461 (3)
T EDUC 464 (3)
T EDUC 462 (3)
T EDUC 474 (3)
Part C- Endorsement Speciality Course List (15 credits for K-8 TELL/21 credits for K-8 SPED)
Teaching English Language Learners Requirement for K-8 & TELL Track (15 credits)
T EDUC 419 (3)
T EDUC 463 (3)
T EDUC 464 (3)
T EDUC 465 (3)
T EDUC 469 (3)
Special Education Requirements for K-8 & SPED Track (21 credits)
T EDSP 441/T EDUC 441 (3)
T EDSP 443 (3)
T EDSP 444 (3)
T EDSP 447 (3)
T EDSP 448 (3)
T EDSP 450 (3)
T EDSP 451 (3)
Part D- Advanced Pedagogy and Field Experience (17 credits)
T EDUC 487 (2)
T EDUC 488 (10)
T EDUC 489 (2)
T EDUC 490 (3)
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Recommendation for State Teacher Certification with an Elementary Education Endorsement and Special Education (SPED) Endorsement or Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) Endorsement requires the following items in addition to the successful completion of coursework and field experiences:
* This major requires demonstrated content knowledge through completion of 45 credits of coursework in other academic disciplines; lower division, transfer courses, and education electives may be used to fulfill these requirements, which overlap with University Area of Knowledge requirements.
**Note that some program requirements are subject to change due to state/federal regulations.
Student Learning Outcomes:
In the South Puget Sound region, many educators find themselves in positions requiring not only teaching expertise, but also leadership skills, policy knowledge, and the ability to affect positive organizational change, often without the background and experience to be successful and confident in such roles. These individuals are frequently experts in their professional disciplines; however, today's leaders are required to use skill sets and knowledge that extend beyond that acquired in a master’s degree. Today's leaders must possess experience and expertise to employ evidence to improve organizational outcomes, ensure quality teaching for diverse learners, effectively assess programs, and lead local and national accreditation and accountability processes. These leaders must be effective political advocates, and informed fiscal and human resource managers. They must demonstrate emotional intelligence necessary to successfully lead a diverse workforce, as well as possess professional expertise and high standards of legal, moral and ethical behavior. The University of Washington Tacoma addresses these needs with the practice doctoral degree, the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership (EdD).
Applicants must:
123 total credits
GPA of 3.0 overall and no less than 2.7 in any one course
*Students earning the P-12 Superintendent certificate must complete these six additional credits in order to meet all state competencies.
123 total credits
GPA of 3.0 overall and no less than 2.7 in any one course
*Students earning the P-12 Superintendent certificate must complete these six additional credits in order to meet all state competencies.
Program Design
This is a three-year, 123-credit cohort-based program. For those who wish to earn the P-12 Superintendent/Program Administrator Certificate, six additional credits are required in order to meet all state competencies; therefore, 129 credits will be required. Courses are offered two full days, Fridays and Saturdays (for education/community-focused leadership) or Saturday and Sundays (for tribal/indigenous-focused leadership), approximately once per month, 12 months out of the year (four quarters). Students will participate electronically in critical discussions and community connected work throughout the month, in addition to monthly class sessions.
Interdisciplinary Learning
The program is designed for interdisciplinary learning in the field of educational leadership. Students will work collaboratively in leadership courses focused on systemic change, anti-racism and instructional leadership. Students can benefit from cross-disciplinary scholarly discussions. For more discipline-specific knowledge, students will choose study areas along disciplinary interests.
Muckleshoot Tribal College & UW Tacoma Indigenous-Focused Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) The University of Washington Tacoma in a joint partnership with the Muckleshoot Tribal College are offering Indigenous leaders the opportunity to apply to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership (EdD). This specific cohort will be Indigenous-centered in the curriculum and approaches in the program. This program is appropriate for students holding a Master's degree and who are in the educational field (and allied areas) working with Tribal communities. This a tribally based cohort and classes will be held at the Muckleshoot Tribal College.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
The master of education (M.Ed.) degree is organized under the umbrella of the School of Education at UW Tacoma. Within that framework, we offer the following M.Ed. credentials: • K-8 Teacher Certification with Special Education • K-8 Teacher Certification with English Language Learners • Secondary Teacher Certification in the Sciences or Mathematics • Master of Education for Practicing Educators • Educational Administration Programs vary in length, focus and requirements. Some are part-time and some are full-time. Upon acceptance, all students are assigned an advisor to find the most reasonable and efficient means of reaching their desired goal.
The program is a full-time course of study for potential school leaders. Admitted students progress as a cohort community through four quarters of full-time study beginning in summer quarter. Upon successful completion of all certificate requirements, students will earn a Residency Administrator's Certificate Leadership, management and instruction are three distinct components that are emphasized in each of the four quarters. Coursework is taught in synchrony with the school's administrative calendar. The curriculum is grounded in best practice as determined by theory and research.
Please visit this program's Graduate Admissions page for current requirements.
61 credits
The Master of Education Program with a focus on Teacher Education features an introduction to teaching in all areas of the elementary and middle school curriculum, preparation for non-curricular aspects of the teacher's role, reflection on contemporary issues in education and frequent supervision. Mentor teachers and university faculty work together to provide students with a program that ensures integration of course content with hands-on experience. Student candidates will begin their Autumn Quarter Clinical Practice the first day of public schools, or earlier to attend building orientations or professional development days. Please note you may need to start your clinical practice as early as mid to late August.
Please visit this program's Graduate Admissions page for current requirements.
77 credits
This graduate degree program is designed to build upon the skills, knowledge and commitment of practicing educators and other professionals working in educational settings. This graduate degree program offers five areas of emphasis that you can select to best fit your professional learning and development needs. With this high-quality graduate degree from UW, you will be prepared to meet the needs of 21st century learners. Our UW Tacoma professors are skilled instructors who are actively engaged in schools and produce quality research. As our students complete this graduate program, they typically earn higher salaries and promotions, realize exciting new career opportunities, and advance the lives of their students in truly meaningful ways.
Please visit this program's Graduate Admissions Page for current requirements.
36-39 credits, depending on track
The Master of Education Program with a focus on Secondary Certification partners with local schools to prepare future teachers to help students in middle and high school gain knowledge and success in the sciences or mathematics. The preparation of secondary teachers in the sciences or mathematics education addresses among the most significant gaps in the teacher corps today. The Secondary Certification program begins in summer quarter only and is four quarters of full-time (mostly evening) study and clinical practice (or approx. two years part-time) for the certificate only. Students wishing to also obtain a master’s degree can usually complete this in an additional year of part-time evening study which is conducive to a working teacher’s schedule. This program is based on the most current educational research and theory. Our goal is to ensure that our graduates have a positive impact on student learning.
Please visit this program's Graduate Admissions Page for current requirements.
57 credits