Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Education
Undergraduate initial license and Post-baccalaureate initial license
Link to: Glossary of terms l Advising l Apply | Points of pride l Contact information l
Return to Division of Teacher Education
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Volunteer to help gain required classroom experience:
- Prime Time after school tutoring program - Central School District
- Tutor - Dallas High School
- Early childhood center volunteer - The Teaching Research Institute Child Development Center at WOU - Ingrid Amerson, 503-838-8769 (jump to flyer)
- CHANGES in PRAXIS II test requirements: Only one test is now required for science endorsements--biology, chemistry, physics and integrated science. Available dates for physical education and social studies tests have changed. For PE, you must schedule two tests for one day and the third test for the next test session (two months later). For social studies, test 0085 is given four times a year and test 0081 is given at every test date. IMPORTANT - refer to this PRAXIS II Web site for up-to-date information. Thank you. College of Education, 10/21/08
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Two program entry points each year - Spring and Fall
- Apply two terms in advance!
- Important dates: orientation (mandatory), application, interview, petition
- Application packet
- Early Childhood - age 3 through grade 4
- Early Childhood/Elementary - age 3 through grade 8
- Elementary/Middle Level - grades 3 through 9
- Middle Level/High School - grades 5 through 12
- High School - grades 9 through 12
The undergraduate program includes four terms of teacher education curriculum and leads to a bachelor's degree. Link to chart: Undergraduate licensure curriculum
The post-baccalaureate program is for those who already hold a bachelor's degree but want to earn the first (initial) teaching license without earning a master's degree. The program is made up only of four terms of teacher education curriculum. Link to chart: initial licensure curriculum
Note: If you already hold a bachelor's degree and want both an initial teaching license AND a master's degree, see the WOU Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT).
To apply
Please plan ahead to complete the steps to present all of the required documents and forms to the College of Education. Screening and admission interviews are then arranged as a cooperative effort between faculty in the College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Careful planning is imperative to prepare for, schedule, and participate in an interview.
Prospective candidate checklist:
- Be admitted to Western Oregon University (required prior to scheduling an interview) Links: Online undergraduate application | Undergraduate application | Post-baccalaureate application
- Undergraduate: Meet with an education adviser for transcript evaluation
- Post-baccalaureate: Meet with a content specialist for transcript evaluation
- Complete prescribed coursework, earning a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above
- Pass a basic skills examination
- (CBEST or Praxis PPST or Praxis CBT or NTE:GK and CS if taken before 1996)
- Pass the ORELA exams
- Show documentation of experiences in an instructional setting at appropriate grade levels (at least two letters on official letterhead, and one should be confidential)
- For more information, view our slide show (you must have PowerPoint installed in order to view it)
Interviews occur two terms before the student's anticipated term of entry to the teacher education curriculum. The application packet contains a full list of materials necessary for participation in the screening process. If desired, you can purchase one at low cost through the WOU Bookstore . The WOU Schedule of Classes contains strategic dates for program entry on page 2.
The undergraduate/post-baccalaureate teacher education curriculum may be entered either fall or spring term. Summer term is not utilized for these courses. During the first two terms, candidates may take an additional course outside of the professional program. During the final two terms, the requirements of the professional program require full-time involvement in teacher education.
Adviser information
Undergraduate student seeking initial licensure in any authorization level(s): Contact the Academic Advising and Learning Center.
Post-baccalaureate student seeking initial licensure for Early Childhood only or Early Childhood/Elementary (with emphasis in Early Childhood) authorization(s): Contact Dr. Mary Reynolds, Division of Teacher Education, 503-838-8830. If you have questions, link to: Request more information
Post-baccalaureate student seeking initial licensure for Early Childhood/Elementary or Elementary/Middle Level authorizations: Contact Dr. Mark Girod, Chair, Division of Teacher Education, 503-838-8518.
Post-baccalaureate student seeking initial licensure for Middle Level or High School authorizations: Begin by arranging for evaluation of your college transcript(s) by the faculty specialist in the content area you want to pursue. The specialists are listed here:
| Foreign language-Spanish | Dr. Karie Mize - 503- 838-8724 |
| Health | Dr. Peggy Pedersen - 503-838-8269 |
| Language arts | Dr. Marie LeJeune - 503-838-8450 |
| Mathematics | Dr. Adele Schepige - 503-838-8485 |
| Physical education | Dr. Gay Timken - 503-838-8217
Dr. Marita Cardinal - 503-838-8023 |
| Science | Dr. Adele Schepige - 503-838-8485 |
| Social studies | Dr. Gwenda Rice - 503-838-8832 |
After you get this evaluation, please contact the chair of the Division of Teacher Education, Dr. Mark Girod, 503-838-8518.
- Authorization - The age/grade level a student will teach after receiving an initial teaching license.
- Initial license - The first level of teacher licensure, valid for a limited time. It is followed by continuing licensure, which requires further education.
- Post-baccalaureate - A person who holds a bachelor's degree.
- Undergraduate - A person who does not have a bachelor's degree.
Points of pride in the WOU bachelor's degree in teacher education
- More field experiences are required of prospective education majors, making WOU students stand out early and often
- The WOU curriculum now allows more time in schools prior to full time student teaching
- The College of Education forges strong partnerships with school districts that go beyond student teacher placements
- Pre-education majors spend time with youths in various settings before being fully admitted to the professional core
- We provide strong preparation in literacy in Early Childhood through Elementary/Middle Level authorizations
- Content area literacy in the Middle Level and High School content pedagogy courses was recently strengthened
- Responding to the need in schools, we now offer a course on differentiated instruction for diverse learners
- Advanced integrated pedagogy was added to Middle Level/High School
- Students apply to enter the program twice a year, resolving issues in placement and scheduling
- Each of the four terms is 12 credits, easing the way to also earn Bilingual/ESOL endorsement if desired
Dr. Mark Girod, Chair
education@wou.edu . 503-838-8471
Kris Dalton, Administrative Program Specialist
daltonk@wou.edu . 503-838-8482 . Fax 503-838-8228