The Elementary Education Certification Program is made up of three required components:

1. completion of selected core courses in Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences;
2. an academic major, usually in Human Development;
3. a required sequence of upper-leve Education courses and field experiences.

Consultation with the Coordinator of Elementary Education should be held during the first semester of the freshman year to insure proper scheduling and selection of courses.

The required education courses for students who wish to become certified as elementary teachers are listed under the Human Development major (with certification).

Washington College offers a Maryland State approved teacher education program that leads to teaching certification in grades 1st through 6th. One of the hallmarks of Washington College is our small and intimate residential community, which strives to develop each individual’s unique strengths.

Most future elementary teachers choose to major in Human Development, but they are free to concentrate on their special interest areas by combining their professional preparation with a self-selected major and/or minor. Popular choices are: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, History, and Modern Languages, such as Spanish or French. Students complete a two-semester 100 days teaching internship during the senior year.

Cooperative learning activities are an important part of our on-campus instruction. Throughout their relationship with the Department of Education, our students will work closely together to master content material and to learn to share their knowledge with their peers and future students. They will learn a variety of strategies to meet diverse learning styles and the needs of the students they will teach. Students also will become proficient with technology in their class work and in their field experiences.

Fieldwork and Timeline

Students who wish to become certified as elementary teachers (grades 1-6) must take the coursework listed HERE.

We recommend that you also use this semester plan as your guide for planning which courses to take each semester.

Students should note that the checklist and semseter plan are only guidelines. Consult with your faculty advisor(s) and the Coordinator of the Elementary Education Program to ensure that you complete all program, major, and distribution requirements in a timely fashion.

Apply!

Complete the application form by September 15 of your junior year. Refer to the Teacher Certification page to learn more about program entry testing requirements in the state of Maryland.