Overview
The Professional Certification program has both a graduate-level option and a continuing education option. The program has been approved by the Washington state Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). Successful completion of this program enables a teacher who holds a Residency Certificate to receive a Professional Certificate from the State of Washington.
Program Design
The program is designed for Residency Certificate teachers who are currently employed and have a teaching contract. It is a personalized, cohort-based program, blending the best in-person and online learning with a focus on praxis integrating coherent and grounded reflection, understanding, and action. Program instruction is delivered on Saturdays on campus and in partner school district locations and has an online component using the web. Teachers may take the Preassessment Seminar prior to completing provisional status.
The program provides Residency Certificate teachers with a sequence for meeting the three standards and 12 criteria required by the state.
The graduate-level program is designed to articulate to several master’s degree programs in the College of Education with 3-6 Professional Certification credits counting toward a master’s degree in the College of Education: Curriculum and Instruction (6 credits); Educational Administration (6 credits); Literacy for Special Needs, including the Reading Endorsement (3 credits); Special Education, including the Special Education Endorsement (6 credits).
Annually, there are two admission opportunities into the program: 1) by Nov. 3 for the Preassessment Seminar (3 credits) which begins each winter quarter, and 2) in April for the remaining 12 credits of the program (this April admissions date is only for those who have taken the Preassessment Seminar at another university).
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission to the Preassessment Seminar only (first course, 3 quarter credits):
- Application for Graduate Admission with non-refundable $55 application fee. (Application fee waived for Seattle University alumni.)
- Official transcript from all colleges/universities where post-secondary degree(s) have been earned
- Copy of valid Washington State Residency teaching certificate
- OSPI form, Provisional Status/Employer Support Verification (WAC 180-78A-505)
- College of Education Self-Evaluation form
Requirements to complete the 15 credit program or to enter the program for the last 12 credits (if the Preassessment Seminar was completed at another college/university):
- Application for Graduate Admission with non-refundable $55 application fee. (Application fee waived for SU alumni.)
- Copy of valid Washington State Residency teaching certificate
- OSPI form, Provisional Status/Employer Support Verification (WAC 180-78A-505)
- Minimum GPA of 3.00 or a graduate degree determined from transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work.
- Evidence of successful completion of the Preassessment Seminar, including a copy of the teacher’s approved Professional Growth Plan.
Program Completion Requirements
- Successful completion of the Preassessment and Culminating Seminars and of 9 core credits approved by the Professional Certification program director.
- A Professional Growth Plan which is produced in EPCT 520 (and is required to pass EPCT 520 ) and which has been approved by the teacher’s Professional Growth Team.
- A portfolio (which is produced in EPCT 540 ) which demonstrates that all required documents and performance-based goals and objectives in the Professional Growth Plan have been met.
- Approval of the performance-based portfolio by the Professional Certification program director.
- Minimum GPA of 3.00 upon completion of the program.