Certified teachers in Washington State wishing to add an endorsement to their teaching certification may do so one of two ways:

Test Only

Test Only - Must pass a WEST-E/NES test or an alternative approved through the PESB (Professional Educator Standards Board) for the desired endorsement. OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) maintains a list of endorsements eligible to be added through testing only:

Teacher Certification: Endorsements -Office of Superintendent of Public Instructions Website

Program + Test

Program + Test - Must complete a college preparation program in addition to passing the approved WEST-E/NES content knowledge test. UW Tacoma's School of Education offers the following to endorsements via this pathway:

English Language Learner

This endorsement is designed as a fully online, part-time program of study that can be completed in one year while teaching. Each course has been carefully designed to prepare practicing educators to meet the diverse needs of English language learners by providing clear instructions and scaffolded assignments within a supportive online learning environment. We employ best practices to help ensure course content is accessible, memorable, and directly applicable in the classroom

 

Special Education

Our program incorporates Direct Instruction as well as other research-based practices that produce positive academic and social outcomes for students in poverty and with high-incidence disabilities. Upon certification, program graduates are ready to provide systematic and explicit instruction in high-needs schools. Upon successful completion of the Special Education Endorsement program (including passing score on the Special Education WEST-E), teachers will be recommended to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for an endorsement in Special Education.

 

Eligibility criteria:

Must be a Washington State Certified Teacher

Steps:

  1. Contact the School of Education at uwted@uw.edu for information regarding admission criteria.
  2. Complete required courses in your new endorsement area (subject to transcript evaluation). For deadlines, admissions and how to apply please visit the Master of Education for Practicing Educators website.
  3. Pass the Washington Educator Skills Test - Endorsement (WEST-E) / National Evaluation Series (NES) test. NOTE: Test completion is required prior to earning an endorsement. Candidates are encouraged to wait and take their endorsement test after completing the related coursework.

Website Resources

Office of Superintendent of Public Instructions Website

Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST) and National Evaluation Series (NES)