Program Overview

Introduction to the Elementary Education Professional Program

The Elementary Education Professional Program at Western Washington University is centered on an anti-bias, anti-racist, social justice philosophy. This program leads to a recommendation to the state of Washington for a teaching certificate with an Elementary Education endorsement. To be eligible for this program, students must complete the General University Requirements (GURs), an approved academic major, and the professional education coursework.

Why Consider the Elementary Education Professional Program?

Elementary teachers have a unique opportunity to influence the lives of their students, families, and communities by laying the foundation for future academic learning and participation in democratic society. The Elementary Education major is designed to foster the dispositions, knowledge, and skills needed to recognize and build on the assets that linguistically and culturally diverse students bring to schools.

Program Requirements

The Elementary Education Professional Program requires 105 credits, which include:

• Professional Studies Core (22 credits)
  • ELED 305 - Development and Learning in a Diverse Classroom (5 credits)
  • ELED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity (5 credits)
  • ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum (1 credit)
  • ELED 460 - Children’s Literature in the Classroom (5 credits)
  • IT 344 - Foundations of Technology in Teaching and Learning (1 credit)
  • MLE 441 - Language, Culture, and Equity: From Global to Local (5 credits)
• Elementary Program Methods and Curriculum Content (32 credits)
  • One course from:
    • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
    • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
    • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
    • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8 (2 credits)
  • IT 442 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators (3 credits)
  • MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4 credits)
  • MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4 credits)
  • MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III (4 credits)
  • PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School (3 credits)
  • SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School (5 credits)
  • SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student (4 credits)
• Preparatory Field Experiences (13 credits)
  • ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators (5 credits)
  • ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators (5 credits)
  • SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science (3 credits)
• Professional Field Experiences & Methods Courses (38 credits)
  • ELED 412 - Seminar on Racial Justice Praxis (5 credits)
  • ELED 427 - Elementary Social Studies Through Counternarratives (5 credits)
  • ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching (4 credits)
  • ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary (2-16 credits, must complete 22 credits toward the major)
  • MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics (2 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must meet the General University Requirements, which include:

• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement

Conclusion

The Elementary Education Professional Program at Western Washington University is designed to prepare students for a career in elementary education, with a focus on anti-bias, anti-racist, social justice philosophy. The program requires 105 credits and includes coursework in professional studies, elementary program methods, preparatory field experiences, and professional field experiences. Graduates of the program will be eligible for a teaching certificate with an Elementary Education endorsement in the state of Washington.