How does one become certificated to teach in the public schools (K-12) in Washington?
1. A Bachelor’s Degree. If you want to teach in Washington, you must earn a Bachelor’s Degree, either before beginning or concurrently with* an approved teacher certification program. (*The concurrent option is only available if the college or university where you’re pursuing your bachelor’s degree has an undergraduate teaching option; UW does not). 2. Teacher Certification. This can be accomplished through any approved four-year college or university in Washington, through an undergraduate program, a “fifth year” (Post Baccalaureate) program, or a graduate (Master’s) program. The University of Washington-Seattle’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) results in a Master’s in Teaching (MIT) degree. There is no undergraduate or “fifth year” certification option available at UW’s Seattle campus, though there are “fifth year” programs in elementary (K-8) education available at UW-Bothell and UW-Tacoma. Other schools in Washington do offer undergraduate and post baccalaureate (i.e. “fifth year”
