teacher education studentsTeacher Education (K-8)

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BAS-TE) is designed to prepare teachers who are well grounded in education and training, and are prepared to obtain initial teaching certification in grade K-8 in the state of Washington with a primary endorsement in elementary education. There is also an option of adding a special education endorsement.

espanolThe goal of the program is to prepare teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to foster all students’ learning. Individuals enrolled in the BAS-TE program will interact and learn from local teachers and superintendents, who will teach, mentor, and guide students through the program.

Upon completion, graduates will be in the position to affect the future of our communities through educating our youth.

In accordance with the Title II Higher Education Act, the program is required to submit information regarding program requirements, admissions, enrollments, clinical experience, and completion rates. The report is updated on an annual basis. Read the full report (pdf).

Program Details

The classes offered in the BAS-TE program are designed as hybrid courses, which means each class meets once per week with the remaining coursework online.

  • Classes are offered in the evenings from 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • Students will complete between 15-18 credits per quarter.
  • Most students will be able to complete their degree in two years.

 

Program Approval and Certification

This program is approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) in the state of Washington. Upon successful completion of the program and related skills tests (see testing requirements), students are recommended to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Initial teaching certification in Elementary Education. Students who successfully complete extra course work and pass the WESTE exam are also recommended for an second endorsement in Special Education.

Graduates are prepared to be certificated teacher in elementary education or elementary education and special education.

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete the online Centralia College application. Note: After you submit your online application, Enrollment Services will email you additional instructions for completing your admissions packet.
  2. Activate your ctcLink student account.

2024 BAS Admission & Notification Dates

If you apply by: Centralia College will send notification by:
April 1 April 19
May 1 May 17
June 1 June 17

Required Degree

Admission into the BAS-TE program is competitive and merit-based. Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission as the number of qualified applicants may exceed the number of available enrollment spaces. In order to be placed into the admissions pool, applicants must complete or submit the following:

  • Completion of all BAS application materials
  • Submission of test scores from WEST B, SAT or ACT
  • An earned associate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 OR junior-level standing (90+ credits of applicable coursework) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Successful completion of:
    • English Composition I ( 5 credits) with a 2.0 or better
    • A college-level math course for which intermediate algebra is a prerequisite and contains quantitative skills distribution
    • EDUC& 115 Child Development or PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)
    • ECED& 180 Language and Literacy (3 credits)
    • A minimum of three additional credits of education course work (ECED& 100 Child Care Basics does not qualify for this requirement.) Highly recommended courses include: EDUC& 130 - Guiding Behavior, ECED& 170 Environments - Young Child; ECED& 190 - Observation/Assessment; EDUC& 204 - Exceptional Child; EDUC& 205 - Intro to Education w/Field Experience.
  • Optional: Current Paraeducators can receive additional consideration points in the application process by submitting a  letter from the school district(s) verifying years of service. Work experience as a para is not a requirement for program admission.

 

Additional Requirements to Complete After Conditional or Full Acceptance in the Program

  • Completion of FERPA release to share information with OSPI
  • Completion of State of Washington required data sheet 

 

Additional Requirements to Complete After Start of the Program

  • Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) Background Check
  • Pre-residency clearance

 

General Education Degree Required Courses

The following general education courses must be completed prior to bachelor's degree obtainment. The courses can be included in the two-year degree or be completed during the bachelor’s program.

  • 5 credits English 102 - English Composition II
  • 5 credits of Social Sciences (students are highly encouraged to complete a history related social science course to prepare for the NES exam required for teacher certification and to acquire needed content knowledge to teach social studies in an elementary classroom)
  • 10 credits of Humanities (recommended CMST& 220 Public Speaking)
  • 10 credits of Natural Science with one science course containing a lab [students are highly encouraged to complete a physical science (oceanography, geology, chemistry) and a life science (nutrition, environmental science, biology) to assist in preparation for the NES exam required for teacher education and to acquire needed content knowledge to teach science in an elementary classroom]

The BAS in Teacher Education program prepares students to obtain their initial teaching certification. This certification is required to teach in public school classrooms in Washington State. Students must have fingerprints on file and pass an FBI background check in the first quarter of the program and throughout the time of certification as required by RCW.28A.410.010. Students are required to obtain a Pre-Residency Clearance through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) during the first quarter of the program. Prior to student teaching, in year two of the program, students must take the NES I exam. Prior to certification students must also complete the NES II exam for elementary education. Students earning a second endorsement in special education must also complete the WESTE exam.

Testing fees are established by a third party vendor. Estimated fees are:

  • WEST B (prior to starting the program) - approximate cost $155
  • Fingerprint and background check (prior to starting the program) - approximate cost $65
  • WEST E (special education endorsement test) - approximately $95
  • NES I & II (elementary education endorsement tests) - approximate cost $155
  • State Certification Fee - approximate cost $118

Tuition

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) sets the tuition rate.

For the current year's tuition rate, see Tuition & Fees - Bachelor of Applied Science.

The cost of room and board would be additional.

Financial Aid

For information on applying for financial aid, see Financial Aid.

Scholarships

Students can apply for scholarships online from Dec. 1-March 1. Visit the scholarships page for information and a link to the online application.

Will this degree prepare me to teach in a high school? 
No, the BAS-TE degree is designed to provide certification in kindergarten through eighth grade.

What are the characteristics (disposition) of successful teachers? 
Throughout the BAS-TE program, students will be guided on the characteristics and behaviors needed to be a successful teacher. Successful teachers:

  • Demonstrates professional self-regulation (on-time, present, stays for entire time, and is engaged in learning)
  • Works productively with faculty, staff, and peers both in and out of class
  • Demonstrates understanding about others’ teaching perspectives (open and nonjudgmental)
  • Accepts and acts upon constructive criticism
  • Separates personal and professional issues
  • Speaks in a manner appropriate to the learning environment
  • Demonstrates appropriate social skills in professional and social interactions
  • Demonstrates a commitment to teaching
  • Demonstrates appropriate command of both oral and written communication
  • Relationships with students, peers, supervisors, family members, staff, and faculty are emotionally, verbally, and physically appropriate
  • Demonstrates an ability to work with ethnically diverse populations
  • Demonstrates an ability to work with exceptional learners
  • Demonstrates initiative
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm for his/her content area
  • Exhibits a belief that all children can learn
  • Treats all students fairly according to their needs
  • Holds all students to high expectations
  • Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning
  • Demonstrates commitment to professional growth
  • Demonstrates scholastic integrity
  • Demonstrates respect for the teacher’s role and school environment

Do I need to be available during school hours to complete this program? 
Yes, every quarter, students in BAS-TE complete practicum courses that require hands-on work in a school setting. Also, the last two quarters of the program require full-time student teaching during the school district’s hours.

What are the requirements for receiving an initial teaching certification?
The following tests are Washington State requirements and are NOT administered by Centralia College. Students must pay for the associated costs out-of-pocket.

  • Successful completion of the West B (prior to starting the program) - approximate cost $155
  • Successful completion of the West E (elementary education endorsement tests) - approximate cost $95
  • Successful completion of the NES (special education endorsement test) - approximate cost $155
  • Successful completion of program portfolio
  • Successful completion of the BAS-TE requirements
  • Fingerprint and background check - approximate cost $65
  • State Certification Fee - approximate cost $118

Name of Program: Bachelor of Applied Science Teacher Education

Route(s) Offered: Route 1 for classified instructional employees (paraeducators with an associate degree)

Endorsement(s) Offered: Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12)

Main Address: Centralia College main campus in Centralia

Delivery Method: Hybrid with in-person and online coursework

Delivery Format: Full-time evening program with classes two nights a week beginning at 5pm

Regions/School Districts Served: all school districts in Lewis and Thurston counties

Brief Program Description: The program is designed to prepare teachers who are well grounded in education and training, and are prepared to obtain initial teaching certification in grades K-8 in the state of Washington with a primary endorsement in elementary education. There is also an option for adding an additional special education endorsement. Upon completion, graduates will be in the position to affect the future of our communities through educating our youth.

Contact Information: BAS Programs - 360-623-8927, bachelors@centralia.edu

Estimated Time to Complete Program: 2 years

Prerequisites:

  • An earned associate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 OR junior-level standing (90+ credits of applicable coursework) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Successful completion of:
  • English Composition I ( 5credits) with a 2.0 or better
  • A college-level math course for which intermediate algebra is a prerequisite and contains quantitative skills distribution
  • EDUC& 115 Child Development or PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)
  • ECED& 180 Language and Literacy (3 credits)
  • A minimum of three additional credits of education course work (ECED& 100 Child Care Basics) does not qualify for this requirement. Highly recommended courses include: EDUC& 130 - Guiding Behavior, ECED& 170 Environments - Young Child; ECED& 190 - Observation/Assessment; EDUC& 204 - Exceptional Child; EDUC& 205 - Intro to Education w/Field Experience
  • Passing scored form the WEST B Test (2 of 3 sections) or SAT or ACT scores

Sample cost breakdowns:

  • $2,239-2,268 per quarter for 6 quarters (elementary endorsement only)
  • $2,239-2,238 per quarter for 7 quarters (elementary and special education endorsements)

BAS-TE Education Plan

Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science
Emphasis: Teacher Education - Elementary Education
Credits: 93-103

Junior Year  
Fall Quarter
  • EDUC 300 Intro to Special Ed (++) - 3-5 credits
  • EDUC 330 Technology and Teaching - 2 credits
  • EDUC 350 Diversity in Students - 3 credits
  • EDUC 420 Curriculum and Instruction - 5 credits
  • EDUC 370 Support: Child & Family ** - 3 credits
Winter Quarter
  • EDUC 315 Teaching Science - 5 credits
  • EDUC 355 Emergent Reading - 5 credits
  • EDUC 360 Assessment & Evaluation - 5 credits
  • EDUC 482 Practicum 2 - 2 credits
Spring Quarter
  • EDUC 345 Teaching Lang. Arts & Dev - 3 credits
  • EDUC 365 Intermediate Reading - 3 credits OR EDUC 380 Typical & Atypical Child Development** - 5 credits
  • EDUC 400 Education and the Law - 3 credits OR EDUC 410 Exceptional Learners** - 5 credits
  • EDUC 421 Classroom Management - 5 credits
  • EDUC 483 Practicum 3 - 2 credits
Senior Year  
Fall Quarter
  • EDUC 320 Social Emotional Teaching & Learning - 5 credits
  • EDUC 484 Practicum 4 - 2 credits
  • MATH 315 Teaching Math - 5 credits
  • SST 365 Teaching Social Studies - 5 credits
Winter Quarter
  • EDUC 385 SPED Assessment** - 3 credits
  • EDUC 351 Issues of Abuse - 3 credits
  • EDUC 497 Student Teaching Elem 1 - 10 credits
Spring Quarter
  • EDUC 335 Teaching Art and Movement - 3 credits
  • EDUC 480 SPED Seminar** - 1-2 credits
  • EDUC 490 Student Teaching SPED** OR EDUC 498 Student Teaching Elem 2 - 10 credits

Note - **Courses are only required for students completing both the elementary education and special education endorsements. ++Only currently certified teachers will completed reducted credits in Intro to Special Education and SPED Seminar.

This certificate is available for currently certificated K-12 instructors seeking to add a special education endorsement to their teaching certification. Please contact the BAS Programs at 360-623-8927 or bachelors@centralia.edu for information on class availability and registration.

Special Education Certificate Ed Plan

Degree: Special Education Certificate
Credits: 20-23

Fall Quarter
  • EDUC 300 Intro to Special Ed - 3-5 credits
  • EDUC 370 Support: Child & Family - 3 credits
Winter Quarter
  • EDUC 385 SPED Assessment - 3 credits
Spring Quarter
  • EDUC 480 SPED Seminar - 1-2 credits
  • EDUC 410 Exceptional Learners - 5 credits
  • EDUC 380 Development of Differently Abled - 5 credits

CONTACT

For Questions about the Program

Bachelor's Degree Programs
360-623-8927
bachelors@centralia.edu

For Questions about Applications and Credit Transfers

Kelly Worthey
Director of Enrollment Services
360-623-8664
Email Kelly Worthey