Teacher 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.
Teacher Education (K-8)
The 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.
Title II Report
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
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
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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
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