Transition to Teaching (BAE)

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About

The Transition to Teaching Program provides formal instruction and certification for individuals who are currently employed in a Washington State K-12 school, or individuals with a degree who desire to become full-time teachers. Our alternative-route program allows you to build upon previous education and work experience to reduce the time and cost of the program. We offer four routes to certification. Coursework depends on the route you choose and your previous studies.

For further information or questions, please contact the Program Coordinator Heather Shelley at altroute@ewu.edu or 509.290.7311.

How to Apply

The Transition to Teaching application is now open for the 2024-2025 cohort! Apply here.

Please note: the application is a combined application for EWU and for the Transition to Teaching program. You must be accepted to EWU to be considered for Transition to Teaching.

Choose Your Route

  • Route 1: For classified instructional employees (e.g., paraeducators) with associate’s degrees or AADTA. Provides K-8 certification with optional SPED, Bilingual, or ELL endorsement available.
  • Route 2: For classified staff with bachelor’s degrees or higher. Provides K-8 certification.
  • Route 3: For “career-changers” with bachelor’s degrees or higher. Provides K-8 certification.
  • Route 4: For district staff with bachelor’s degrees or higher employed on conditional or emergency certificates. Provides K-8 certification.

Application Requirements Based on Route

Routes 1, 2, & 4
  1. If you are employed with either of our partner school districts, ESD 171 or Spokane Public Schools, begin the application process. If you are employed by another district, please begin by contacting us at altroute@ewu.edu.
  2. Discuss the possibilities of participation in our program with your supervisor and district.
  3. Complete the Transition to Teaching application. The application has been combined with the Eastern Washington University general admission application; your submission will be reviewed by both the university admissions office and our program.
Route 3
  1. Please contact us at altroute@ewu.edu. You will be provided with the next steps for applying to the program and securing a field placement.
  2. Contact local K-8 schools in your area and discuss possibilities of participation in our program.
  3. Complete the Transition to Teaching application. The application has been combined with the Eastern Washington University general admission application; your submission will be reviewed by both the university admissions office and our program.

Application Due Dates

  • The Transition to Teaching program accepts yearly admission. The application will be available for the 2024-2025 school year beginning January 1, 2024.
  • All application materials, including official transcripts, must be completed by April 1, 2024.
  • If you plan on applying for financial aid, we recommend submitting all application materials by February 15. 
  • Please see Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

Select Your Route

Route 1 is for classified instructional employees with an associate’s degree or AADTA, looking to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Education as well as certification for Washington State. It can be completed in seven quarters with optional SPED, bilingual or ELL endorsements available.

Route 2 is for classified staff with a bachelor’s degree or higher, looking to receive certification. It can be completed in four quarters.

Route 3 is for “career changers” with a bachelor’s degree or higher, looking to receive certification. It can be completed in four quarters.

Note: It is not necessary to be currently employed for this option.

Route 4 is for district staff with a bachelor’s degree or higher employed on conditional or emergency certificates, looking to receive certification. It can be completed in four quarters.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Transition to Teaching Major, Bachelor of Arts in Education, (BAE)

Transition to Teaching (BAE)-This is an alternative-route program for K-8 certification with an option to add endorsement in Special Education (SpEd), English Language Learner (ELL), or Bilingual Education (BIL). This cohort and residency-based program starts in summer and includes a four to seven quarter sequence with hybrid instruction and weekend class sessions.

Required Courses
EDUC 280FOUNDATIONAL METHODS IN EDUCATION12-18
EDUC 387LITERACY AND SPECIALIST METHODS12-18
EDUC 388ELEMENTARY CORE METHODS12-18
EDUC 404EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS AND CLASSROOM APPLICATION9-12
EDUC 428STUDENT TEACHING MODULE18
Total Credits63-84

Frequently Asked Questions

The estimated cost for four quarters is $18,160.00 for the 2023-2024 academic year ($4,500.00 tuition for 18 credit hours +$40.00 technology fee per quarter).

Currently we offer Elementary, English Language Learners (ELL), Bilingual, and Special Education (SPED).

The new cohort will begin coursework during summer quarter.

The average time is two additional quarters.

This program prepares candidates for recommendation to certification in Washington State, grades K-8 Elementary Education.

Currently, secondary certification is not available within this program.

After obtaining K-8 certification, several endorsement areas are available.

This program follows a hybrid model. Candidates will meet two times per month at a centralized location and all other coursework will be completed online.

Depending upon the location of the school, classes are held either in Spokane or will alternate between Wenatchee and Moses Lake.

A candidate is encouraged to apply for financial aid, however depending upon individual circumstances they may qualify for a scholarship or grant support. If you work for one of our partner districts, please contact us at altroute@ewu.edu.

EWU students may also consider a loan.

Yes, it is necessary in the State of Washington for participants in teacher certification programs to have a background check through the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Fingerprint clearance is valid for two years.

For further information, please see our Certification page.

You are asked to provide the score you received on the West B, or the score you received on the ACT or SAT if any portion of the West B was waived.

If you do not have the scores available, you may leave the test scores blank. You will be contacted by a program administrator for guidance in obtaining your scores and sending the results to Eastern Washington University’s Admission Office.

In addition to the scores provided on the admission application, you are required to provides official results. Please note that the following cannot be considered as official results:

  • The scores entered in your admission application.
  • Photocopies.
  • Screenshots or images.
  • Results sent to you by mail.
  • Results where the designated recipient is not a school counselor.

Official results must be sent to EWU Admission’s Office directly by the testing facility or a school counselor. Please contact the school you attended or the testing facility and request that they send the official results.