Elementary Education

Teaching the love of teaching

Shaping the Educators of Tomorrow

Do you have a passion for working with children of all ages? Are you creative, caring, and enjoy hands-on learning? Do you want to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life through education? If you answered yes to any of these, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) program at Columbia Basin College (CBC) is the perfect fit for you!

BAS-TE program highlights:

  • Teacher Education certificate endorsment in preschool through third grade.
  • Program length is two years. The first year focusing on course work and the second year focuing on student teaching.
  • New cohorts start each fall.
male teacher with students

At Columbia Basin College, we celebrate diversity and prioritize the education of all learners. By equipping teacher preparation candidates with the skills to support and collaborate with students from all backgrounds, we prepare them for success in their future classrooms. Our program emphasizes strong partnerships with school districts and other institutions, fostering valuable connections to ensure our future educators are well-prepared and deeply rooted in their communities.

Join the Teacher Education program and gain a blend of educational theory and hands-on classroom experience, empowering you to confidently teach and inspire learners of all backgrounds. Contact us today to learn more!

  • 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
    At least 90 college-level credits from an academic transfer or career/technical program(s).

     

    Prerequisite Courses:

    Completed the following Early Childhood Education (ECE)  prerequite courses with a minimum 2.7 GPA:

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

    Completed the following General Education courses with a minimum 2.0 GPA:

      • English: 5 credits (ENGL& 101 or higher)
      • Communications: 5 credits
      • Social Sciences: 10 creditsMathematics: 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.
    • BASTE Application
    • Official college transcripts showing completion of a degree or equivalent number of credits and all prerequisite courses.
  • 3. In addition to the application

    • 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

       
    • Resume
    • Teaching Philosophy Statement (max. 500 words): 
      1. Highlight your professional and personal experience in the early childhood education setting.  
      2. Outline your career goals in the field of education and how this degree will support those goals. 
  • 4. Program Length

    Full-time: The program spans two years.

    • First Year: Three quarters (fall, winter, spring), with no summer quarter.
    • Second Year: Focused on 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.

 

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.
(Optional) [Enter additional tab content here]

contact

teacher helping student with school project