INDEX
Questions
About Transferring Science Courses to Western
If I'm transferring
from another college what
science courses will address teacher education at Western?
Elementary education students
should have basic science courses equivalent to at least a year’s study in
science, preferably broadly distributed. Some or all should include laboratory
work. Most courses with prefixes like Biol, Chem, Geol, Astron., or Physics
apply.
Acceptable science courses for secondary science include
majors-level introductory sequences. Most upper division science courses are
acceptable. Among common advanced courses which transfer for credit but do not
apply specifically to endorsement requirements are Human Physiology, Human
Ecology,
See also: Endorsement
Assessment
Questions About Declaring a
Major in Science Education
What are the
requirements for declaring a major in Science Education?
There are no
specific prerequisites for declaring a science education major.
In fact it is a good idea to see an adviser as early as possible to assure the
most efficient progress toward completion. See Plans of study and Advising in Science Education.
What GPA requirements
are there in Science Education?
Graduation with certification and
endorsement normally requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and in science
courses. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for admission to the certification
program in the Woodring College of
Education.
What if my GPA
falls below a 2.75 before I am ready
to graduate?
A grace period is
generally permitted regarding courses in science, during which time you may be
retained in the program so long as the trend in grades suggests a return to the
minimum. However, if the overall GPA drops below 2.75, you will be
dropped automatically from the Woodring College. You may reapply when your GPA
recovers to the minimum.
Questions About Registration
and Overrides for Science Education Courses
How can I register
for Science Education courses if I'm not a declared major?
In general, registration in
Science Education Courses is limited to students who have been admitted to the
Woodring College of Education
and who have met specific course prerequisites.
Do I have any
recourse if the computer shows a section filled?
Individual faculty can admit, at
their discretion, students who have demonstrated need for a particular
section.
Questions About T.A. Positions
in Science Education
Who is eligible for
T.A. positions?
Graduate students in the
M.Ed—Natural Science/Science Education program are eligible to apply for
graduate teaching assistantships.
What do T.A.'s do in
the Science Education Program?
In general,TA's assist broadly as
resource personnel in the
SMATE Learning Resource Center. Science Education faculty will have specific
requests for assistance in their teaching methods courses from time to time.
Visiting school groups will often utilize TAs to assist in preparing and
supervising their visits to the Learning Resource Center.
How do I go about
getting a T.A. position?
Contact Prof. George Nelson, indicating your
interest and qualifications.
Questions About
Endorsements
Will my science
courses from another institution apply to endorsement to teach
science?
In general, yes, especially when
they have an astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, or physics prefix and serve
as courses acceptable for science majors at your institution. See endorsement assessment.
I’m seeking
endorsement in science as a post-baccalaureate or graduate student. Does my
undergraduate degree earn me endorsement?
Commonly, if the major was one of
the four natural sciences, but not always. See endorsement assessment.
How do I determine
whether my course record qualifies for endorsement?
See endorsement assessment.
In what cases does
Western Washington University require more than the State established minimum
for endorsement?
Endorsement in
(general) Science requires more than the 15 credit minimum in coursework
complementary to the primary discipline endorsement. Many of Western’s BA and BS
degrees, though not its BA in Education degrees, require more than the 45 credit
minimum in a single discipline.
Why does Western
require more than the State established minimum for endorsement?
See Plans of Study. In the case of endorsement
in (general) Science, we do not believe that a single university course
(potentially even a "101" course, all that is required in the minimum)
adequately prepares a person to teach that discipline in high school as a
general rule. Such a course will almost inevitably be either too elementary or
too limited in scope to do so. Yet the endorsement can be construed to prepare
that person to teach any of the natural sciences at the high school level as
presently defined. We have chosen to observe the recommendation of the committee
advisory to the State Board of Education in this instance. We will listen to
rational arguments in specific cases.
In the BA and BS
cases, these degrees are not designed explicitly for the purpose of preparing
teachers and generally reflect the best professional judgment of the faculty,
consistent with their professional associations’ and university
standards.
In a few instances
composite majors leading to the BA in Education may exceed the minimum, but only
modestly and only to achieve appropriate balance between the disciplines in the
judgment of the faculty in the relevant departments.
Miscellaneous
Questions
What happens if I
complete a BA in Education, less internship, then decide I do not wish to teach
or suppose my internship is not successful?
You may petition for the BA in
Education without certification through the Office of Field Services in the Woodring College of
Education.
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