Elementary Education

• 1. Applicant Eligibility

  Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  Education Requirements:

  Completed Associate Degree: An associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a closely related field, OR​
  Completed 96–98 College-Level Credits: From an academic transfer or career/technical program(s).​
  Prerequisite Courses:

  Completion of the following Early Childhood Education (ECE) prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.7 GPA:​

  • ECED 103: Art​
  • EDUC& 105: Introduction to Early Childhood Education​
  • EDUC& 107: Health, Safety, & Nutrition
  • EDUC& 115: Child Development​
  • ECED& 120: Practicum – Nurturing Relationships​
  • ECED 122: Math & Science​
  • ECED 124: Children's Literature
  • EDUC& 130: Guiding Behavior​
  • ECED& 132: Infants & Toddlers Care​
  • EDUC& 150: Child, Family, & Community
  • ECED 151: Supervised Practicum​
  • ECED 152: Supervised Practicum Lab​
  • ECED& 160: Curriculum Development
  • ECED& 170: Environments – Young Child
  • ECED& 180: Language & Literacy Development​
  • ECED& 190: Observation & Assessment
  • EDUC& 203: Exceptional Child​

  Completion of the following General Education courses with a minimum 2.0 GPA:​

  • English: 5 credits (e.g., ENGL& 101 or higher)​
  • Communications: 5 credits (e.g., CMST& 101, CMST& 210, CMST& 220, or CMST 260)
  • Social Sciences: 10 credits (e.g., PSYC& 100, PSYC 201, or SOC& 101)​
  • Mathematics: 5 credits (MATH& 171 is required for the BAS-TE pathway)

• 2. Application Requirement

  All applicants are required to submit an application packet which includes:

  • Completed CBC Application for Admission: (Not required if already a CBC student)
  • BASTE Application: Specific to the Teacher Education program.

  BASTE Application

  • Official College Transcripts: Showing completion of a degree or equivalent number of credits and all prerequisite courses.​
  • Resume: One-page maximum.​
  • Teaching Philosophy Statement: Maximum 500 words, highlighting:​
    • Your professional and personal experience in the early childhood education setting.
    • Your career goals in the field of education and how this degree will support those goals.

• 3. Required Exam

  • WEST–B (Washington Educator Skills Test–Basic®): To meet program requirements, students must take the WEST–B exam, which includes the following subtests:

  • Reading - Test Code: 095

  • Writing - Test Code: 096

  • Mathematics - Test Code: 097

    Learn more about the WEST–B exam

• 4. Program Length

  Full-Time: The program spans two years.​

  • First Year: Three quarters (fall, winter, spring), focusing on coursework with no summer quarter.​
  • Second Year: Dedicated to the student teaching experience, with three pathway options available. Specific details will be provided upon acceptance into the program

• 5. Program Modalities

  • First Year: Evening classes delivered in a face-to-face hybrid format, structured in a cohort model to provide peer support.
  • Second Year: Includes a required weekly course and 450 hours of field experience through student teaching.

The following are requirements for individuals wishing to obtain a teaching certificate in the state of Washington: For educators currently completing their teacher preparation program.

• Pre-Residency Clearance
• Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required, if a valid certificate is not already on record.
• Completion of a basic skills test (WEST-B) and a content area test (See the Washington Educator Skills Test for more information)
• Out-of-state applicants need the institution to complete Form 4050E
• Teacher College Recommendation

This applies to those who have completed Washington State program requirements and have been recommended for certification by their institution:

• Completion of a state of Washington approved Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education preparation program
• Completion of the National Evaluation Series™ (NES®) Early Childhood Education Test (See the Washington Educator Skills Test for more information)
• Recommendation for Residency First Issue Certificate by a state of Washington approved teacher preparation program
  Program approval (education@columbiabasin.edu)
• For more information see the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Teacher Certification instructions. 

Note for students who are located outside of Washington state: Each state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. protectorates vary in what professions they require to be licensed and the educational requirements for those licenses. It’s important to understand whether the degree or certificate you obtain from CBC will meet the educational eligibility requirements for a license in the state in which you plan to practice. 
View educational licensure requirements by state.

Faculty

Program Learning Outcomes for the BAS in Teacher Education

Program learning outcomes are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that students will achieve before they graduate. The outcomes below were developed by the faculty in Teacher Education with input from accrediting bodies, advisory committees, employers, etc. This collaboration ensures that the outcomes are relevant for careers that this degree leads to.

Students who graduate with the BAS in Teacher Education will be able to:

1. Apply academic and pedagogical theory to learning experiences.
2. Design developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a variety of settings.
3. Articulate how learners grow and develop across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains.
4. Plan and deliver meaningful learning experiences with a professional disposition.
5. Create equitable access to learning opportunities that utilize inclusive classroom practices.
6. Reflect on and refine pedagogical approaches, enhancing instructional practices.