Degree Requirements

Elementary Education Option students must complete all university and major requirements listed below.

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Elementary Education Option Requirements – Effective Autumn 2025

UW Bothell Requirements

  • Earn 180 university credits
  • 5 credits – Composition (C)
  • 10 credits – Writing Across the Curriculum (W)
  • 5 credits – Reasoning (RSN)
  • 5 credits – Diversity (DIV) (3 credits for students admitted to the UW prior to Autumn 2023)
  • 15 credits – Arts & Humanities (A&H)
  • 15 credits – Social Sciences (SSc)
  • 15 credits – Natural Sciences (NSc)

Major Requirements

20 credits School of Educational Studies Core Courses

  • B EDUC 205 Education & Equity in the United States (DIV, SSc)
  • B EDUC 210 Teaching & Learning in a Multicultural Society (DIV, SSc)
  • B EDUC 300 Research & Educational Knowledge (W)
  • B EDUC 310 Theories of Learning, Culture & Identity (SSc)

38 credits Academic Breadth Courses

  • B WRIT 134 Composition (C) or B WRIT 133 Composition Stretch II (C)
  • B EDUC 170 Math for Elementary Teachers (NSc)
  • B EDUC 240 Science & Engineering for an Ethical and Just Society with Lab (NSc, DIV) 
  • B EDUC 241 Time in Socio-Ecological Systems: Sun, Moon, Clocks, and Contaminants with Lab (NSc, DIV)
  • B EDUC 242 U.S. History and the Enduring War For Control of K-12 Curriculum: From Invasion to Insurrection (SSc, DIV, W)
  • B EDUC 340 STEAM Education (3 credits)
  • 1 course in Literature | Approved courses
  • 1 course in United States Government or Civics, Geography, or Economics | Approved courses

18 credits Teaching Foundations Courses

  • B EDUC 402 Human Growth & Learning
  • B EDUC 403 Introduction to Special Education
  • B EDUC 423 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Health, Fitness & Issues of Abuse (3 credits)
  • B EDUC 438 Teaching & Learning Tribal Sovereignty
  • B EDUC 441 Second Language Acquisition, Bilingual Education, and the Structure of English

28 credits Cohorted Teaching Methods Courses

  • B EDUC 408 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Multicultural Education & Social Studies (5 credits)
  • B EDUC 409 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Reading, Writing, & Communication I (3 credits)
  • B EDUC 410 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Reading, Writing, & Communication II (4 credits)
  • B EDUC 419 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Mathematics I (3 credits)
  • B EDUC 418 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Intermediate Level Mathematics II (4 credits)
  • B EDUC 421 Knowing, Teaching, and Assessing in Earth, Physical, and Life Sciences (4 credits)
  • B EDUC 438 Teaching & Learning Tribal Sovereignty

15 credits Cohorted Dual Endorsement Courses

If pursuing the english to speakers of other languages endorsement
  • B EDUC 442 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in ESOL
  • B EDUC 443 Practicum in ESOL
  • B EDUC 444 Leadership, Advocacy, & Assessment in ESOL
If pursuing the special Education endorsement
  • B EDUC 482 Assessment in Special & Inclusive Education
  • B EDUC 483 Planning for Student Success in an Inclusive Classroom
  • B EDUC 484 Special Education & Transition

16 credits Cohorted Student Teaching Courses

  • B EDUC 406 Introduction to Field Placement – held late August through September (2 credits)
  • B EDUC 425 Professional Educator Seminar (Winter Quarter, 2 credits)
  • B EDUC 435 Student Teaching (Autumn Quarter, 2 credits)
  • B EDUC 435 Student Teaching (Winter Quarter, Monday through Friday at school placement, 10 credits)

Elementary Education Option Requirements – 2025 Cohort

UW Bothell Requirements

  • Earn 180 university credits
  • 5 credits – Composition (C)
  • 10 credits – Writing Across the Curriculum (W)
  • 5 credits – Reasoning (RSN)
  • 5 credits – Diversity (DIV)
    • For students admitted to the UW prior to Autumn 2023 the DIV requirement is 3 credits
  • 15 credits – Arts & Humanities (A&H)
  • 15 credits – Social Sciences (SSc)
  • 15 credits – Natural Sciences (NSc)

Major Requirements

Teacher Certification Requirements

To be recommended for elementary teacher certification in Washington state, students must also complete certification requirements:

  • Successfully complete student teaching internship
  • Pass the NES I and II Elementary Education exams or receive an approved NES Petition
  • Complete and submit a Professional Growth Plan

Students will receive support and guidance on all certification requirements from academic advisors, field placement coordinators, and field instructors.

Elementary Education Course Fees

Some Elementary Education courses carry course fees. These fees cover the cost of honoraria for cooperating (mentor) teachers.  

Course fees:

B EDUC 435 Student Teaching, Autumn Quarter, $325
B EDUC 435 Student Teaching, Winter Quarter, $325