Admissions

Join the Elementary Education Option

SES students who satisfy the admissions requirements listed below are admitted to the Elementary Education Option. To join the Elementary Education Option, students are required to submit a declaration form. The Elementary Education Option admits once a year for a Spring Quarter cohorted program start.

On this page

• Prepare to join the Elementary Education Option
• How to Declare
• Application Deadlines
• Application Requirements
• Application Information & Resources
• Background Checks Notice

Prepare to join the Elementary Education Option 

First-Year Student Path

• Step 1: Gain admission to UW Bothell as a first-year student.
  • Visit the UW Bothell Office of Admissions for more information.
• Step 2: Meet with a pre-major advisor to develop an academic plan to complete Academic Breadth and Educational Studies major declaration requirements.
• Step 3: Declare the Educational Studies major in Spring Quarter of your first year.
• Step 4: Complete SES Core & Foundation Courses, along with all Elementary Education Option declaration requirements.
• Step 5: Declare the Elementary Education Option!

Transfer Student Path

• Step 1: Gain admission to UW Bothell and to the Educational Studies major as a transfer student.
  • Visit the UW Bothell Office of Admissions for more information.
• Step 2: Meet with an SES advisor develop an academic plan to complete Academic Breadth, SES Core & Foundation Courses, along with all Elementary Education Option declaration requirements.
• Step 3: Declare the Elementary Education Option!

How to Declare 

1. Submit online declaration form
2. Students who meet the admissions requirements listed below are admitted to the Elementary Education Option
3. Admitted students will be invited to Elementary Education Program orientation held in late Winter Quarter

Declaration Deadlines

Key Dates:

• Application Opens: November 1, 2024
• Application Closes: January 10, 2025

Declaration Requirements

• Must be an Educational Studies Major for at least 1 quarter
• Minimum of 80 credits of community college or university coursework
• Advisor-approved plan to complete Elementary Education foundation coursework by the start of the cohorted teaching methods quarter
• Minimum of 2.00 cumulative GPA in all coursework taken at the UW
• Minimum of 2.0 GPA in SES Core Courses: B EDUC 205, B EDUC 210, B EDUC 300, B EDUC 310
• Academic Breadth completed or in-progress, with minimum 2.0 GPA in each course
• Reading, Writing & Math test scores – SAT, ACT, or WEST-B scores
  • Test scores are a state-mandated requirement
  • No minimum score required
  • Scores older than 5 years are accepted
  • Accepted “basic skills” tests:
    • SAT Reading, Math, Writing/Essay sections
    • ACT Reading, Math, & Writing sections
    • WEST-B, Reading, Math, & Writing subtests

Admissions Information & Resources 

• S/NS Grades during COVID-19 Pandemic. For quarters designated as having extenuating circumstances, SES will consider an S (satisfactory) grade as fulfilling an admission requirements. S grades will not negatively impact your application to the Elementary Education Option. 
• WEST-B Resources:
  • Additional information on WEST-B
  • Online proctoring available for WEST-B
  • Free WEST-B practice tests & preparation materials

Background Checks

Students accepted to the Elementary Education Option are legally required to submit their fingerprints to the Washington state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State Patrol and FBI background checks.

Approved background checks are required before a teacher candidate can apply for their Pre-Residency Clearance, a pre-certification legally required for student teaching. 

If students have any questions or concerns about fingerprinting or the implications of state and federal background checks, please contact an Educational Studies advisor.