Academic Programs
Education
Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher Certification Programs

Program Goals

The Department offers teacher certification programs in Elementary Education and Secondary Education. Program requirements are aligned with the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13A.07.06. The Department has established partnerships with local counties to facilitate the implementation of state requirements that each teacher candidate complete a practicum equivalent to a full school year.

Entry Requirements for Certification Programs

cumulative GPA of 3.0 (and a GPA of 3.0 in the teaching field for secondary certification);
recommendation from a professor in the student’s major field of study (secondary only);
a Maryland passing score on one of the following exams (according to the most current Maryland state assessment requirements):
- SAT: composite score (math and reading)
- ACT: composite score
- GRE: composite score or
- Praxis Core: composite score
approval of the Education Department Chair following a formal interview with the Chair and departmental colleagues. The following are some of the personal and professional attributes that are considered for approval: maturity, oral and written communication skills, professional attitude, flexibility, initiative, collaboration, and overall potential to be successful in a teaching internship. (Please note: An interview for the Elementary Education Program will only be granted to students who meet ALL entry requirements.)

Applicants for the Teacher Certification Programs should realize that Education Department faculty may use any and all prior interactions, within the Department and in PDS field experiences, as input for program entry.

Admission Procedures

Admission to the elementary and secondary program generally occurs during the fall semester of the junior year. (Where possible, the Department will make accommodations for “late deciders”).

(Secondary) Complete application form and have a professor in your major department complete the personal recommendation form by September 15 of your junior year.
(Elementary) Complete application form (link sent from the Department Chair) and submit as directed online by September 15th of your junior year.

It should be noted that Washington College Teacher Certification Program requirements may be modified as needed because of evolving state requirements for approved programs in teacher education.

Program Completion

Students will be recommended for Maryland Approved Program teacher certification when they successfully 1) earn an academic degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (and a GPA of 3.0 in their major for secondary certification); 2) complete the Washington College Teacher Certification Program; 3) complete national examinations according to Maryland standards, 4) complete an exit interview with the program Certification Administrator; and 5) earn a grade of “B-” or better in EDU 405. or EDU 413. and 414.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Washington College’s Maryland approved Teacher Certification Programs offer multiple paths that meet state certification requirements designed to prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the state of Maryland. Students who successfully complete the programs and pass all associated state licensure exams are eligible to be recommended for Maryland Educator Licensure. There requirements and other information can be found on the teacher certificate webpage.

Students should be advised that the completion of the Teacher Certification Program offered through Washington College may not qualify a graduate to obtain a teaching license in a state other than Maryland as requirements vary by state and may involve more than a successful degree completion. Therefore, students are advised to consult certification requirements in states of interest early in their study. Students planning to become licensed in another state other than Maryland should contact the licensing agency for that state or jurisdiction to determine the appropriate requirements of the state-specific licensing board. If you have any questions, please contact the director for the program.

Washington College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership allows us to provide distance education programs to individuals located in other states. All states except for California participate in SARA (as a non-public higher education institution that is accredited, degree granting, and non-profit, Washington College is exempt from approval by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education). SARA membership, however, does not grant reciprocity or exempt students from state professional licensure requirements.