ENDORSEMENT
Endorsements indicate you are qualified to
teach a particular topic. Endorsements may be granted in biology, chemistry, earth science,
and in physics. In addition there is an area endorsement
called "Science."
DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC ENDORSEMENT
45 quarter hours of study are generally required in that discipline with specified
subtopics included. The Office of the
State Superintendent of Instruction
establishes minimum criteria for the endorsements. Approved colleges and universities
may then approve endorsements according to institutional standards which must at
least meet those established by the State Board of Education.
In general, WWU will approve endorsement when a student has met the equivalent of the
minimum criteria which it has established for one of its approved majors leading
to that endorsement. For individual disciplines these will be with a very few
credits of the
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
minima.
The area endorsement in Science permits assignment to teach any
of the natural sciences at a secondary school level. It requires,
first, that the individual qualifies for endorsement in one of the
specific sciences. In addition the individual must have studied
each of the other sciences in sufficient depth to teach that science
at the high school level. WWU interprets that to require the approximate
equivalent of one year’s sequence of study in each of the other
sciences. A biology major will commonly have accomplished that,
or nearly, except for earth science in their course of study. Chemistry
majors commonly complete sufficient physics; biochemistry majors
commonly complete sufficient biology as well. Geology majors may
well have sufficient physics and chemistry, depending on the specifics
of their programs. Ideally we prefer something approximating our
" General
Science—Secondary" major.
ASSESSMENT
Endorsement may be granted in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics or Science.
WWU programs designed to earn these
endorsements are described under "Plans of
study." Those with other degrees, from WWU or other colleges or universities,
are strongly advised to consult with
the Director of the Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Program, Professor George Nelson, and/or
with a science education adviser in the relevant department(s), as early as possible,
to assure that your course of study will earn endorsement.
THE ADVISORS
Biology:
Prof. Alejandro
Acevedo-Gutierrez 360-650-3653
Prof. Deborah Donovan
360.650.7251
Chemistry:
Prof. Steve Gammon
You are
encouraged to send a copy of your academic transcripts (this need not be
official for preliminary assessment) to
Dr. Nelson if you are not resident at
Western. He will either assess it
himself or refer it to a discipline specialist, depending on the nature of the
inquiry. Please tell us what
endorsement(s) you want or believe you may qualify for and translate the name of
any course which is to be considered but whose title is not obviously
relevant.
