Teacher Education

Chairperson:  John Traynor
Elementary Program Director: Deborah Nieding
Secondary Program Director: Anny Case

Directed by our Jesuit mission, Gonzaga University develops socially responsible professionals who serve with care, competence, and commitment.  The department of teacher education offers a thorough preparation in professional teaching at the undergraduate level.  We prepare educational leaders to serve others in need and demonstrate a commitment to social justice.  We provide teacher candidates with the opportunity to become reflective learners and practitioners of elementary or secondary education. Teacher candidates have three field experiences prior to a full semester of student teaching to prepare them as successful practitioners.  Many courses in the program offer a community based service learning activity providing candidates an opportunity to experience servant leadership.

As a community of reflective learners, faculty, staff, and teacher candidates are involved in a supportive relationship which encourages service for others and responsibility to one another.

The Teacher Education program is advised by a Professional Education Advisory Board  (PEAB) composed of area teachers, school administrators, educational staff associates, representatives of professional organizations, teacher candidates, and faculty.

The Teacher Certification program meets standards specified by the Professional Education Standards Board (PESB), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Northwest Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

There are different options to obtain teacher certification. One option is a Bachelor of Education degree in Physical Education or Special Education which includes teacher certification, or teacher candidates can combine certification requirements with a degree from one of the other schools/colleges in the University.

Applicants seeking Elementary Education Certification will receive an Elementary endorsement and can teach grades K-8 as generalists in a self-contained classroom. Secondary Education Certification candidates can teach grades 5-12 and choose a specific content area (endorsement) to teach. The content area must be selected from one of the following approved endorsements offered at Gonzaga: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language Arts, Health and Fitness, Mathematics, Music, Special Education, Social Studies, Theater Arts, and designated World Languages.   Additional endorsements are encouraged.

The teacher candidate is assigned a Teacher Education advisor during the EDTE 101 Foundations of American Education course. The role of this advisor is to guide the teacher candidate through the certification program. The teacher candidate's academic advisor (assigned when admitted to the University) will advise the teacher candidate regarding degree requirements.
Washington State certification requirements may change, so it is the applicant’s responsibility to stay current by checking with their School of Education advisors and the Certification Office.

All teacher candidates are required to have a current Character and Fitness form and FBI/Washington State Patrol fingerprint clearance on file to take part in any Teacher Education Field Experiences.

Admission to Teacher Certification Requirements: Elementary

Admission into the teacher certification program is dependent on completion of the following:

  1. 12 credits of education coursework successfully completed including one field experience.
  2. Minimum GPA of 2.00 in each certification program course.
  3. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher across G.U. courses.
  4. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 across EDTE courses.
  5. Passing score on all three sections of WEST-B test or alternative.
  6. Character and Fitness Form on file.
  7. FBI/Washington State Patrol Fingerprint Clearance on file.
  8. No uncorrected documented disposition concerns.
  9. Reviewed completed Key Assessments to date with candidate.

Please refer to the advising sheets obtained by the Teacher Education Advisor for updated information.


Elementary Education Certification Program Requirements:
EDTE 101 Foundations of American Education 3 credits
*EDSE 150 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities
(Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 315)		 3 credits
EDTE 201 Learning Theories 3 credits
EDTE 221E Elementary Differentiated Instruction and Assessment
(Physical Education majors equivalent course EDPE 311 and EDPE 413)		 3 credits

EDTE 221L Field Experience
(Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 497A OR EDPE 497B)

 1 credit
EDTE 231 Instructional Methods: Reading, Writing, Communications I 3 credits
    (Special Education majors - equivalent course EDSE 451)
EDTE 315 Classroom Assessment
   (Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 413)
   (Special Education majors equivalent EDSE 417)		 3 credits
*ENGL English Composition/Grammar or equivalent 3 credits
*SPCO Speech – Communications or equivalent
*POLS 101 American Politics 3 credits
*HIST 112 Survey of World Civilization 3 credits
*MATH 203 Math for Elementary Teachers or MATH 112, MATH 157 or higher with the Exception of MATH 321 3 credits
*MATH 121 Introductory Statistics 3 credits
    (Special Education majors equivalent EDSE 417)
    (Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 340 and EDPE 413)
*HIST 201 or 202 History of the U.S. I or II 3 credits
*BIOL (Any Life Science with a lab)
   (Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 276 and lab)
    (Special Education majors may opt to take EDPE 276)		 4 credits
EDTE 304 Concepts in Science 3 credits
EDTE 494 Special Topic - NW History for Elementary Teachers 1 credit
EDTE 331 Instructional Methods: Reading, Writing, Communication II
 3 credits
EDTE 331L Field Experience 1 credit
EDTE 400 Elementary Methods: Music
 1 credit
EDTE 401 Elementary Methods: Mathematics (Fall only) 1 credit
EDTE 401L Field Experience 
1 credit
EDTE 402 Elementary Methods: Social Studies 3 credits
EDTE 403 Elementary Methods: Art
 1 credit
EDTE 404 Elementary Methods: Science
 3 credits
EDPE 415 Physical Education Methods
(Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 204)		 1 credit
EDPE 416 Health Education Methods
(Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 312)		 1 credit
EDPE 417 Abuse Prevention 1 credit
EDTE 460E Classroom Management: Elementary
(Special Education majors equivalent EDSE 465)		 3 credits
Admission to Student Teaching Requirements:
1) All certification coursework and endorsement work must be completed.
2) Minimum of 2.0 in each endorsement course.
3) Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all GU courses.
4) Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in al EDTE courses.
5) Passing score on all three sections of WEST B test or alternative.
6) Current Character and Fitness form on file.
7) Current FBI / Washington State Patrol Fingerprint Clearance on file.
8) No documented disposition concerns.
9) Elementary WEST E test taken prior to student teaching.  Passage of Elementary WEST E test is required for Program Completion.
10) Attendance is mandatory at the Student Teacher Application Meeting.


EDTE 496E Elementary Student Teaching 12 credits
EDSE 450 Special Education Seminar 1 credit

EDTE 495 Student Teaching Professional Seminar

 2 credits
Refer to the Certification Advisement Handbook and the Student Teaching Handbook for additional requirements and information.
Please note the (*) courses fulfill Gonzaga core requirement in the  College of Arts and Sciences providing the candidate graduates with teacher certification.
94 credits are required in the College of Arts and Science


Admission To Teacher Certification Requirements: Secondary
Admission into the Teacher Certification Program is Dependent on Completion of the Following:
1) 12 credits of education coursework successfully completed including one field experience.
2) Minimum GPA of 2.00 in each certification program course.
3) Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher across G.U. courses.
4) Cumulative GPA of 3.0 across EDTE courses.
5) Passing score on all three sections of the WEST-B test or alternative.
6) Character and Fitness Form on File.
7) FBI/Washington State Patrol Fingerprint Clearance on file.
8) No documented disposition concerns.
9) English Composition/Grammar or equivalent.
10) Speech Communications or equivalent.
11)  Review completed Key Assessments with candidate.

Secondary Education Certification Program Requirements:
EDTE 101 Foundations of American Education 3 credits
*EDSE 150 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities
(Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 315)		 3 credits
EDTE 201 Learning Theories 3 credits
EDTE 221S Differentiated Instruction and Assessment
  (Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 311 and EDPE 413)		 3 credits
EDTE 221L Field Experience
   (Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 497A or EDPE 497B)		 3 credits

EDTE 241 Teaching in the Middle School

 3 credits
* ENGL English Composition /Grammar or equivalent 3 credits
* SPCO Speech Communication or equivalent
EDTE 315, EDtE 418 and EDTE 418L must be taken as a block and are Spring only.
EDTE 315 Classroom Assessment
(Special Education majors equivalent EDSE 417)
(Physical Education majors equivalent EDPE 413)		 3 credits
EDPE 417 Abuse Prevention 1 credit
EDTE 418 Discipline Specific Literacy 3 credits

EDTE 418L Field Experience

 1 credit
Secondary Specific Methods
One methods course is required for each endorsement area (Fall Only)
EDTE 454, EDTE 454L and EDTE 460S must be taken as a block and are Fall only.
EDTE 454D Secondary Methods-Theater Arts 3 credits
EDTE 454E Secondary Methods-English 3 credits
EDTE 454F Secondary Methods-Social Studies 3 credits
EDTE 454M Secondary Methods-Mathematics 3 credits
EDTE 454S Secondary Methods-Science 3 credits
EDTE 454T Secondary Methods-World Language 3 credits
(Music Education and Physical Education majors will take methods in their degree program)
EDTE 454L Secondary Field Experience
(Physical Education Major equivalent EDPE 497C).		 1 credit
EDTE 455L Field Experience: Additional Endorsement
(Required for additional endorsements)		 1 credit
EDTE 460S Classroom Management: Secondary 3 credits
Admission To Student Teaching Requirements:
1) All endorsement and certification course work must be completed.
2) Minimum of 2.0 in each endorsement course.
3) Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all GU courses.
4) Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all EDTE courses.
5) Passing score in all three sections of the West B test or alternative.
6) Current Character and Fitness Form on file.
7) Current FBI/Washington State Patrol Fingerprint Clearance on file.
8) No documented disposition concerns.
9) WEST E taken prior to Student Teaching.  Passage of WEST E endorsement test is required for program completion.
10) Attendance is mandatory at the Student Teacher Application Meeting.

EDTE 496S Secondary Student Teaching 12 credits
EDSE 450 Special Education Seminar 1 credit
EDTE 495 Student Teaching Professional Seminar 2 credits
Please refer to the Certification Advisement Handbook and the Student Teaching Handbook for additional requirements and information.
Please note these (*) courses will fulfill Gonzaga core requirements in the College of Arts and Sciences providing the candidate graduates with teacher certification.
94 credits are required in the College of Arts and Science
Complete Course List - EDTE
Core Curriculum of the School of Education

Core Curriculum of the School of Education The core curriculum or common body of knowledge of the School of Education consists of 47 credits which are common to and required of all undergraduate degree programs: the first 31 credits are from the University core; the remaining 16 credits are specific to the School of Education. Transfer students should consult the General Degree Requirements and Procedures section of this catalogue for possible modifications to the philosophy and religious studies core requirements.

University Core
  1. Thought and Expression (7 credits): ENGL 101, SPCO 101, and PHIL 101 (preferably taken in the same semester)
  2. Philosophy (9 credits): PHIL 201, PHIL 301, and PHIL elective
  3. Religious Studies (9 credits): RELI 100, RELI 200, and RELI 300 levels: one course from each level
  4. Mathematics (3 credits): MATH 100 level or above. Students pursuing teaching certification should consult their education advisor for a math course that will count toward certification and satisfy this core requirement.
  5. English Literature (3 credits): ENGL 102, ENGL 103H, ENGL 105 or ENGL 106 School of Education Core
School of Education Core
  1. Fine Arts (3 credits): at least a total three credits in VART, MUSC, or THEA
  2. Laboratory Science (4 credits): one course with laboratory in either BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, EXSC, or EDPE (Physical Education majors must take EDPE 376/EDPE 376L)
  3. Social Science (6 credits): A History course plus an elective from the following: ECON, SOCI, POLS, PSYC, HIST: as recommended by your education advisor
  4. Social Justice: Social Justice is a common component of all education coursework. This requirement can only be met by completing any course designated by the College of Arts & Sciences as a social justice course on Zagweb.