Teacher Certification

Flexible Options to Become a Teacher in Washington

Answer your long-held calling to teach with Whitworth’s Teacher Certification Program. Built for paraprofessionals or those who hold a bachelor’s, A.A. or A.A.S degree in any field, this 100 percent online, cohort-based program doesn’t require you to pause your life while preparing for Washington state certification. You will learn in a vibrant, nurturing environment that inspires you to seek your purpose, guided by experienced scholars invested in your success.

Choose to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, or earn an Elementary or Secondary Teaching certification at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Graduate credits can be applied to Whitworth’s Masters of Arts in Education.

What Will I Study in the Teacher Certification Program?

Prepare for a Purpose-Driven, Meaningful Career in Education

Whitworth has created a Washington teacher certification program designed for working paraprofessionals and career-changers. You will join a supportive community of faculty and peers at a university known for graduating the region’s most-prepared and sought-after educators. Teacher certification students learn how to:

  • Effectively instruct and assess K-12 learning.
  • Lead classrooms with an understanding of the diversity of learners.
  • Identify and describe the roles that social, cultural, linguistic, physical and community contexts play in the classroom.

The online program features six-week courses and five start dates per year. You move through the program with a small cohort of peers who share your passion for education. The program is mostly asynchronous, but you have the opportunity for real-time connection with select live class sessions throughout. You also benefit from one-on-one coaching, live office hours and professional growth seminars.

Choose Your Pathway to the Classroom

Advance Your Career, Your Way

Whitworth Online’s Teacher Certification Program offers three pathways.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.

You earn both your bachelor’s degree and your Washington state teacher certificate.

Certification only.

If you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can earn an elementary teaching certification or a secondary certification in an endorsable content area such as math, science, English, language arts and history.

Certification only with graduate credits.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you can complete your Washington state teacher certificate at the graduate level via Whitworth Online and then transfer those credits into Whitworth’s M.Ed. degree program.

Online Teaching Endorsements

Whitworth Online’s Teacher Certification Program offers classes that prepare students to take these endorsement tests after graduation:

  • Reading
  • English Language Learners (ELL)
  • Mid-Level Math
  • Mid-Level Science
  • Mid-Level Humanities

  • Whitworth Offers Excellence in Teacher Education

    Find Your Purpose in a Respected Program

    Schools recruit Whitworth graduates knowing our program prepares you to excel in the classroom and lead with integrity and commitment. You graduate with a degree that will open doors. Recent Whitworth Teacher Certification Program graduates have also passed certification tests and been employed in school districts in Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Montana, Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, South Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin, China and Oman.

  • Credit for Previous Education and Experience

    Whitworth’s Generous Transfer Policy

    Our goal is to empower students to achieve their academic goals and find a career that matches their ambitions. Part of that commitment involves giving you transfer credit for the college courses you have completed as well as your professional experience. Our teacher certification pathways are ideal for paraprofessionals and teacher assistants, by accepting up to 64 transfer credits from A.A./A.A.S. degrees and up to 32 credits for your professional experience.

    Learn More About Transfer Credits

  • A Quality Program at an Affordable Cost

    Making Teacher Certification Attainable for Working Adults

    Whitworth Online offers an affordable education for working adults who aspire to lead classrooms. In addition to a generous credit transfer policy, we include textbooks in your tuition and offer a $1,000 discount for your final student-teaching semester. Financial aid, scholarships and grants are also available.

    Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships

Whitworth’s Teacher Certification Program

Learn to Lead Classrooms With Integrity and Purpose

As a Whitworth Online student, you control how you earn teacher certification. We meet you where you are in your educational journey.

The average completion time is two and a half years with an A.A. or applied associate degree (A.A.S. or other) or five years with no transfer credits. The average completion time for the master’s-level certification is three years, while the certification-only option is two and half years for those who hold a bachelor’s degree.

The Whitworth Teacher Certification Program is fully accredited by NWCCU and meets all standards for the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

In this program, you will learn how to:

  • Plan for instruction and assessment using research-proven strategies.
  • Effectively engage in self-reflection to support continued improvement in instructional practices.
  • Employ effective assessment strategies throughout the planning, instruction and reflection cycle.
  • Engage K-12 learners in academic and reflective discourse for the purposes of eliciting student voice and providing opportunity for student self­-assessment/progress monitoring.
  • Identify and describe the role that human development and social, cultural, linguistic, physical and community context plays as related to the learner
  • Apply theories and concepts/strategies for culturally responsive pedagogy to promote inclusive communities

Courses in the Teacher Certification Program

The minimum credits needed for graduation are 126. The number of credits required from Whitworth Online vary depending on credits transferred from other institutions or earned for prior learning.

Pre-cohort

  • Foundations of Education: Philosophy, Practice & Professionalism

Cohort Courses

  • Structure of Elementary Mathematics
  • Child & Adolescent Development
  • Social Studies/JMLSTI Content & Methods
  • Exceptional Learners & UDL: Meeting the Needs of All Students
  • Math Practicum
  • K-9 Natural Science Content & Methods for Educators
  • K-8 STEAM Methods – Arts, Movement & Health Integration
  • K-9 Primary & Intermediate Mathematics in the Classroom
  • Lesson Design & Differentiation for Diverse & Multilingual Learners
  • Introduction to Intercultural Education
  • Intercultural Immersion Experience
  • Literacy Practicum
  • Emergent Reading & Intermediate Literacy Methods
  • Foundations for Student Success: Assessment & Classroom Management
  • Capstone Seminar
  • Clinical Practicum

For secondary certification, an academic major or sufficient coursework in an approved content area is required. 

Pre-cohort

  • Foundations of Education: Philosophy, Practice & Professionalism 
  • Secondary content area endorsement exams must be passed prior to beginning the cohort. 

Cohort Courses

  • Child & Adolescent Development
  • Foundations of Education & Critical Issues in Education
  • Exceptional Learners and UDL: Meeting the Needs of All Students
  • Lesson Design & Differentiation for Diverse & Multilingual Learners
  • Practicum I – Differentiation & Classroom Management Focus
  • Practicum 2 – Instruction & Assessment
  • Introduction to Intercultural Education
  • Intercultural Immersion Experience
  • Capstone Seminar
  • Secondary Content Area Reading, Writing & Assessment
  • Foundations for Student Success: Assessments & Classroom Management
  • Clinical Practicum

Potential Careers With Teacher Certification

The Whitworth Teacher Certification Program gets you ready for roles in a variety of areas, depending on which pathway you choose.

Bachelor’s Level K-12

  • Elementary School Teacher (K-8)
  • Middle School Teacher (with Secondary Certification/Endorsement)
  • High School Teacher (in a specific content area)
  • Reading Specialist (with Reading Endorsement)
  • English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher (with ELL Endorsement)
  • Interventionist (reading/math support)
  • Family Engagement Coordinator
  • Community Schools Coordinator
  • Outdoor/Environmental Education Coordinator

Bachelor’s Level College/University

  • Early Childhood Director
  • Program Coordinator for Teacher Preparation
  • Field Placement Coordinator
  • Online Learning Coordinator
  • Boys & Girls Club Program Coordinator
  • Literacy Tutoring Organizations
  • Homeless Student Support Programs
  • Educational Foundations
  • Tribal Education Departments
  • Environmental Education Centers
  • Museums (Education Coordinator)

Master’s Level College/University

  • Community College or University Instructor
  • Student Teaching Supervisor
  • Instructor or Adjunct Faculty in Education
  • Instructional Designer
  • Course Developer
  • Assessment Developer

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

All Whitworth Online applicants must meet the following requirements. There is no application fee.

You should be a working adult, defined as 23 years or older, with two years of professional work experience. (If you are under the age of 23, review the Supplemental Requirements on the Admissions page).

Unofficial transcripts are allowed for application submission. To register you as a student and for you to qualify for financial aid, we require official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have previously attended. Missing Transcripts?

Because Whitworth’s adult education programs are offered part time, international students are ineligible to apply. We hope you’ll explore Whitworth’s full-time program admissions.

These can be completed after admission, but are required before moving forward through the program.

  • Successfully complete Basic Skills Testing (WEST-B Reading, Writing and Mathematics; or SAT/ACT alternatives)
  • Earn a 3.0 GPA at Whitworth with at least a C in all pre-cohort certification courses
  • Successfully complete Foundations of Education
  • Receive a positive dispositional evaluation
  • Complete a written interview
  • Submit professional recommendations
  • Obtain pre-residency clearance (during first semester of the cohort)

Whitworth University is exploring a new model to enhance this program’s accessibility and efficiency. As part of our commitment to innovation, we have proposed a condensed curriculum to our accreditor. Pending approval, this revised structure will significantly streamline degree requirements — allowing you to reach your academic goals faster and at a lower cost, without sacrificing quality. Continue to check here in the future for updates.

The Whitworth Difference

Seek Your Purpose in Education

Receive the personal support you need from Whitworth to become the teacher principals hire and students admire. We’re here to help you along every step of your online journey.

Contact Our Team at Whitworth Online

Schedule an Appointment