SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Overview:

Preparing future teachers is a critical responsibility, and one that Seattle Pacific University has assumed wholeheartedly for almost 100 years. Students in our teacher education program are provided a variety of experiences through a combination of field and class work. We take advantage of SPU’s rich urban setting and provide students a number of diverse cultural experiences within school settings. Seattle Pacific University has a reputation as one of the premier teacher preparation programs in the state and region because our graduates are well prepared as people of scholarship and character, equipped to make a positive impact on student learning.

School of Education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditations of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Certification Office of the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Upon completion of SPU’s approved teacher preparation program, the School of Education recommends students to the state for a Residency Teaching Certificate. The State of Washington has the ability to change certification requirements at any time; Seattle Pacific University and its students must comply with the requirements in effect at the time the certificate is ordered. Any such requirements override requirements outlined in the Seattle Pacific University catalog.

Undergraduate students must complete all requirements for a bachelor's degree in addition to the certification program.

Post-baccalaureate students must meet all of the prerequisites for the Foundations Quarter, pass the WEST-E test in the specific subject area he/she wishes to teach, pass the WEST-B and be approved by the School of Education.

ACADEMIC MAJOR

SPU students major in a discipline other than education. Special Education is the only major that is housed in the School of Education. Once a student declares a major he/she will have a faculty advisor in their major area to assist in developing an academic plan of study.

Secondary Teachers: Students planning to pursue secondary teacher certification (Middle and High School) should major in the discipline(s) they want to teach so they acquire the necessary content knowledge in the area(s) they want to be endorsed to teach. Selecting a major with content in a student’s desired endorsement area(s) also helps prepare teaching candidates to pass the WEST-E (Washington Educators Skills Test-Endorsement) which Washington State requires in order for a teacher to be endorsed to teach specific content area(s).

Elementary Teachers: School of Education and College of Arts and Science faculty developed the “Integrated Studies Major,” to prepare Elementary School teachers to be well prepared and highly qualified. All students interested in becoming an Elementary Teacher must select this major which is organized around two major components.

• Core Course: All students are required to pass 64 quarter credits of Core Courses in six academic disciplines: The Arts, Health and Fitness, Language Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. These core disciplines were purposely selected because they reflect Washington’s academic competencies for elementary teachers and will help prepare students to pass the Washington Educators Skills Test-Endorsement (WEST-E), a requirement for becoming an Elementary teacher.
• Discipline Concentration: In addition to completing the Core Course requirements, each student selects one of the six Core Disciplines as an area of Concentration and completes an additional 30-35 quarter credits in this discipline.

THE RESIDENCY TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The University and School of Education missions are represented in the goals for the teacher education program. These goals are also directly related to state and national competencies for teacher education. Our mission commitments of service, leadership, competence, and character are developed around the eight teacher education program goals that guide our program at Seattle Pacific University. Each component of the program is carefully crafted to contribute to the development of educators who exhibit service, leadership, competence, and character within a framework of Christian faith and values.

The professional program leading to a residency teaching certificate at Seattle Pacific University consists of three parts:

• The Foundations Unit and Methods - The Foundations/Methods quarters consist of the theory and background of teaching with limited application. Elementary teachers must successfully complete all Core Courses in the Integrated Studies major before enrolling in Methods quarter.
• Skills Courses - The skills courses are specific requirements that support methods and application coursework. There is some flexibility when these courses may be taken, but they are pre-requisites for progression in the certification program.
• The Applications Courses - The application courses in the Integrated and Internship quarters focus on applying the theory and background learned in the Foundations/Methods quarters. Students must pass the WEST-E in their endorsement area at least one quarter prior to Integrated quarter.

Teacher Education Competency Categories

• Establish and maintain a positive student-focused learning environment; demonstrate sensitivity to human diversity in teaching and relationships with students, parents, and the community
• Design and adopt a challenging curriculum that is responsive to a student's cognitive, social, and moral development
• Use effective teaching practices
• Use appropriate assessments to monitor and improve instruction
• Integrate technology into instruction and assessment
• Use information on student performance to advise and involve students and families; inform, involve, and collaborate with families to support student success
• Evaluate effects of his/her teaching through feedback and reflection; establish goals for professional improvement
• Demonstrate skills, knowledge, and attitudes that contribute to professional, ethical behavior

Entering the teacher certification program

The first step a student should take is admission to Seattle Pacific University. Information on admission requirements and financial aid as well as all application materials are available in the Office of Admissions, Demaray Hall 110, or contact 206/281-2021.

• Students entering as freshman or transfers will be admitted as undergraduate students.
• Students who already have a bachelor's degree will be admitted as post-baccalaureate students.
• Students graduating from SPU before completing all requirements for certification will need to reapply as a post-baccalaureate student.

Robert Noyce Scholarship Program

Want up to $10,000 toward your tuition? Already pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or math degree? Ready to make a difference in students’ lives by teaching in a high-need district?

The preferred application deadline for the 2010-2011 year is April 1, 2010. 

Contact us: Please contact the School of Education at soeinfo@spu.edu or 206/281-2274 for additional information or questions about the teacher certification programs.