Lisa Hoxie (Director)

The Whitworth Teacher Certification Program allows adults who work full time to complete a teacher-certification program in an accelerated evening format. Students can earn a bachelor of professional studies degree in elementary education with teacher certification, while those with a bachelor's degree can complete the requirements for certification only. Post-baccalaureate students can enroll in the 500 level of designated courses and apply up to 12 semester credits as electives if they are accepted into a Whitworth Graduate Studies in Education program within four years of Teacher Certification Program completion.

The Whitworth Teacher Certification Program prepares candidates to become reflective, justice‑oriented educators who create inclusive, equitable PK–12 learning environments. Through coursework, clinical practice, and community‑engaged experiences, candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of novice teachers in Washington State.

The student learning outcomes of this program prepare students to:

• Integrate faith and learning by articulating one’s personal faith tradition or worldview, examining how professional practices align with or challenge that worldview, and evaluating instructional decisions through an ethical, reflective, and values-based frameworks.
• Design and implement standards aligned lessons and assessment that integrates differentiation, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), MTSS supports, multilingual practices to meet the needs of diverse K–12 learners.
• Use assessment literacy, data analysis, and reflective practice to evaluate student learning, strengthen instructional effectiveness, and contribute to continuous improvement aligned with state educator preparation expectations.
• Create and sustain safe, supportive learning environments using evidence-based and relationship-centered practices.
• Demonstrate assessment strategies across the learning cycle to evaluate student learning, provide constructive and responsive feedback, and engage K–12 learners in discourse and self-reflection that amplifies student voice, while continually reflecting on one’s own instructional practice for improvement.
• Apply evidence-based literacy and disciplinary language practices that develop learners’ reading, writing, vocabulary, and academic language across content areas, supporting the needs of multilingual and diverse learners through culturally responsive instruction.
• Apply culturally responsive, equity centered, and developmentally informed frameworks to understand learners; analyze and interpret sociocultural, linguistic, and historical contexts; and make instructional decisions that align with Washington’s standards

• Demonstrate professional ethics, collaboration, and readiness for clinical practice by engaging effectively with families, colleagues, and community partners; 
  practicing reflective and research informed decision-making; and meeting Washington’s expectations for novice educators.

Admission Requirements

Students must first complete all Whitworth Online admission requirements to enroll in needed pre-cohort coursework.

Additional requirements for admission to the School of Education and a Teacher Certification Program cohort include the following:

• Complete a minimum of 60 semester credits (90 quarter hours) of college work with a 2.5 GPA from accredited colleges or universities, or a 3.0 minimum GPA in recent coursework at Whitworth
• Earn at least a "C" in all courses applicable to certification
• Successfully complete EDE 304/504, Foundations of Education: Philosophy, Practice, and Professionalism 
• Receive a positive dispositional evaluation
• Complete an entrance interview
• Earn satisfactory scores on the three subtests of the Washington Educators Skills Test – Basic (WEST-B) or satisfactory scores on a state-approved alternative
• Submit additional documents as requested, such as confidential recommendations and the cohort application form

Certification Requirements

Academic requirements for a Washington state teaching certificate include the following:

• Complete the cohort coursework (totaling 50 credits for elementary and 33 credits for secondary)
• Complete all pre-cohort and content-area requirements (see below)
• Earn at least a “C” in all courses applicable to certification
• Complete all state assessments, including satisfactory completion of basic skills testing, passing endorsement area exams
• Complete Capstone Portfolio

Students earning a bachelor of professional studies degree in elementary education must also complete all Whitworth shared curriculum requirements and all state certification requirements.

Note: An ELL endorsement may be required in certain states, such as California, Florida, and Nevada. Students are responsible for knowing state requirements for ELL endorsements. 

In addition, please see the School of Education catalog page.

Elementary Education

The Whitworth Online Teacher Certification Program allows adults who work full time to earn a bachelor of professional studies degree in elementary education in an online, accelerated format. The program is offered in a cohort-based format in which  students work collaboratively through each of the courses in sequence. Within the final semester, students will complete a full-time, 12-week student-teaching practicum and a two-week intercultural immersion practicum. 

Note: For program completion (teacher certification), students must apply for a Washington State Teaching Certificate, pass their student-teaching practicum, pass state content area exams, and complete a Capstone Portfolio. 

BPS Elementary Education (50 credits)

I. Professional Program: Belief and Professionalism (3)

Admission to the Teacher Certification Cohort is required before taking classes below.

II. Professional Program: Content Courses (18)

 III. Professional Program: Pedagogy and Inquiry (15)

IV. Professional Program: Clinical Experience (14)

Select courses are also listed at the 500 level. See descriptions below. Post-baccalaureate students may apply these as electives upon admission to Graduate Studies in Education, with the exception of Clinical Practicum.

Teacher Certification Program Curriculum

The Teacher Certification Program is offered in a cohort-based format in which a core group of students work collaboratively through each of the courses in sequence. Within the final semester, students will complete a full-time, 12-week student-teaching practicum and a two-week intercultural immersion practicum. Cohorts begin in August and March. 

Note: Application for a Washington State Teaching Certificate, passing student teaching, passing a state content area exam, and completion of a Capstone Portfolio are required for program completion (teacher certification).

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

Courses may be completed at the undergraduate-level for completion of Certification-Only, or they may be completed at the 500-level and apply to the thematic electives for M.Ed. Teaching & Learning.

Teacher candidates pursuing the K-8 Elementary Education endorsement complete the pre-cohort courses, content area requirements, and cohort courses outlined for the Teacher Certification Program Cohort – Elementary Certification. Secondary certification with a content-area endorsement may be pursued by any post-baccalaureate teacher candidate with a bachelor’s degree and significant coursework in the content area in which they intend to teach. Secondary endorsements will be determined through a transcript review by the TCP Director and Assistant Director. The transcript review may identify additional content area courses that must be completed for secondary endorsement eligibility. 

Requirements for TCP - Secondary Certification

Bachelor of Professional Studies in Educational Studies

The Bachelor of Professional Studies in Educational Studies Program is designed for individuals who are interested in the field of education, but who do not plan to become a certified teacher.

The Whitworth Teacher Certification Program views the role of educators as a calling – a commitment to understanding and responding compassionately to the needs of children and youth. Educators are more than classroom teachers. They are involved in every aspect of a child’s life. The Educational Studies Program conceptualizes our graduates as educators of mind and heart who serve as scholars, community members, advocates, effective practitioners and visionary leaders. Courses in this program are structured around this conceptual framework, and students are encouraged to view their future roles as educators through this model.

Admission Requirements

Students must first complete all continuing studies admission requirements. Additional requirements for admission to the School of Education and the Educational Studies Program include the following:

• A minimum of 60 semester credits (90 quarter hours) of college work with a 2.5 GPA from accredited colleges or universities, or a 3.0 minimum GPA in recent coursework at Whitworth
• Successful completion of EDE 304, Foundations of Education

After you apply and are admitted to the Educational Studies Program, you will take Whitworth’s shared curriculum requirements; EDE 304, Foundations of Education; and any required elective courses prior to beginning the Educational Studies Program.