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School of Education and Movement Studies

Add-On Endorsements for Teachers

soe-logoAdd-On Endorsement

PLU's Add-On Endorsement Program enables practicing teachers to add content area endorsements to their existing valid teaching certificate.

The State of Washington has moved to a standards-based approach for obtaining endorsements. This means that candidates must be able to demonstrate competence on all the knowledge and skill standards within the desired endorsement area. Completing coursework, although one method of demonstrating this competence, is no longer sufficient evidence as in the past. You can obtain a list of standards for each endorsement area(s) by going to the OSPI website.

[ Pathway #1 | Pathway #2 | Pathway #3 | For Which Path Do I Qualify? | Application Process ]
Eligibility may vary. Choose the pathway that is right for you.

Pathway #1

Pathway #1 only requires candidates to pass the PRAXIS II Test in the endorsement area being added.


Eligibility:
  • Verification of 90 days teaching experience in the current endorsement
  • Current endorsement is compatible in instructional methodology and content-related skills to the Pathway #1 endorsement in the table below
Application Process:

Pathway #2

Pathway #2 requires candidates to take the PRAXIS II and complete a site-based demonstration of instructional methodology


Eligibility:
  • Current endorsement is compatible in the instructional methodology and content-related skills to the Pathway #2 endorsement in the table below
  • Have the district submit a letter that states the following:
    • Verification of 90 days experience in current endorsement area
    • They support your adding on this endorsement, and will provide a placement, so that you can pass the state's Pedagogy Assessment
  • Fully contracted teacher or long-term sub in Washington public school or approved private school
Application Process:
  1. Pass the WEST-E first (applicants seeking endorsements in world languages must also complete the verbal and written ACTFL)
  2. Have the district send a letter that states the following:
    1. Verification of 90 days experience in the current endorsement area
    2. They support your adding on this endorsement and will provide a placement so you can pass the state's Pedagogy Assessment
  3. Complete the Add-On Endorsement Application. Once your application is received and complete the School of Education will conduct an evaluation to determine what you have satisfied and what you are still lacking pertaining to the specific endorsement

Tuition: $1,250 minimum

Pathway #3

Pathway #3 allows teachers to add endorsements that are very different in instructional methodology and content-related skills from their current endorsement(s)


Eligbility:
  • Current endorsement is not compatible in the instructional methodology and content-related skills to the Pathway #1 & #2 endorsements in the table below
  • Washington State certified teacher
Application Process:
  1. Complete the Add-On Endorsement Application. Once your application is received and complete the School of Education will conduct an evaluation to determine what you have satisfied and what you are still lacking pertaining to the specific endorsement


Tuition: $1,250 minimum (Pedagogy Assessment).  Candidates going through pathway III are also required to have a minimum of 20 semester credits in the new endorsement area.  With that, previously completed course work will be considered in satisfying this either partially or in-full.  Approved course work will be identified through the formal evaluation process.

For Which Path Do I Qualify?


If you hold an endorsement and have 90 days experience (Waived for unemployed elementary ed teachers seeking endorsements in math and science) (Pathway 1 & 2 ONLY) in:

and you are seeking an endorsement in one of the areas below you qualify for PATHWAY 1

or you are seeking an endorsement in one of the areas below you qualify for PATHWAY 2

or you are seeking an endorsement in one of the areas below you qualify for PATHWAY 3

Biology (W)

Chemistry; Earth and Space Science; Physics; or Science

Middle Level Mathematics; or Middle Level Science

All other endorsements

Chemistry (W)

Biology; Earth and Space Science; Physics; or Science

Mathematics; Middle Level Mathematics; or Middle Level Science

All other endorsements

Early Childhood Education (P)

None

None

All other endorsements

Earth Science

Biology; Chemistry; Physics; or Science

Middle Level Mathematics; or Middle Level Science

All other endorsements

Earth and Space Science (W)

Biology; Chemistry; Physics; or Science

Middle Level Mathematics; or Middle Level Science

All other endorsements

Elementary Education (W)

Early Childhood Education

Middle Level Mathematics; Middle Level Science; Middle Level Humanities; or Reading

All other endorsements

English Language Learners (W/ACTFL)

None

Designated World Language

All other endorsements

English as a Second Language

None

Designated World Language

All other endorsements

English Language Arts (W)

None

Middle Level Humanities; Social Studies; History; or Theatre Arts

All other endorsements

Health/Fitness (W)

None

Dance

All other endorsements

History (W)

Social Studies

Middle Level Humanities; or English Language Arts

All other endorsements

Library Media (P)

None

None

All other endorsements

Mathematics (W)

None

Physics; or Middle Level Mathematics

All other endorsements

Middle Level Humanities (W)

English Language Arts; Social Studies; or History

None

All other endorsements

Middle Level Mathematics (W)

None

Mathematics

All other endorsements

Middle Level Science (W)

None

Science; or Middle Level Mathematics

All other endorsements

Middle Level Math/Science

None

Mathematics; or Science

All other endorsements

Music – Choral (W)

None

None

All other endorsements

Music – General (W)

None

None

All other endorsements

Music – Instrumental (W)

None

None

All other endorsements

Physics (W)

Biology; Chemistry; Earth and Space Science; or Science

Mathematics; Middle Level Mathematics; or Middle Level Science

All other endorsements

Reading (W)

None

None

All other endorsements

Science (W)

Biology; Chemistry; Earth and Space Science; or Physics

Middle Level Science

All other endorsements

Social Studies (W)

History

Middle Level Humanities; or English Language Arts

All other endorsements

Special Education (P)

None

Early Childhood Special Education; or Elementary Education

All other endorsements

Designated World Language (P/ACTFL)

None

Designated World Language

All other endorsements

Theater Arts (W)

None

Dance

All other endorsements

Visual Arts (W)

None

None

All other endorsements

(BOTH) English Language Arts (W) and Social Studies (W)

Middle Level Humanities

None

All other endorsements


Note: The following endorsements may only be added through a complete college program (Pathway 3): Designated Arts: Music - Choral, General, Instrumental; Designated CTE: Agriculture Education, Business and Marketing Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Technology Education; Bilingual Education; Health/Fitness; Visual Arts; Special Education; and Traffic Safety Education.

Testing requirements for adding endorsements are currently being phased in. For the latest information on endorsement testing, please visit http://www.pesb.wa.gov/Assessment/WEST-E/WEST-E.asp. As of this writing in March 2009, the current required test is noted by a W (new WEST-E) or P (Praxis).

The Designated World Language Programs approved in Washington state are Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

Application Process


Pathway II
Pathway III
STEP1
Download the Application for Add-On Endorsement from www.plu.edu/educ
OR

Request a packet to be sent to you by calling (253) 535-7272.
Download the Application for Add-On Endorsement from www.plu.edu/educ
OR

Request a packet to be sent to you by calling (253) 535-7272
STEP2
Complete and return the application to the Admissions Office.  Application must include:
  1. 1535 form
  2. 4422 (if contracted with a district) form
  3. Passing score on the WEST-E (applicants seeking endorsements in world languages must also complete the verbal and written ACTFL)
  4. District letter of support
  5. Copy of your valid teaching certificate
  6. Current resume
  7. 2 letters of recommendation
  8. $40 application fee
  9. Additional Fee Information

Complete and return the applciation to the Admissions Office.  Application must include:
  1. 1535 form
  2. 4422 (if contracted with a district) form
  3. Official Transcripts
  4. Copy of valid teaching certificate
  5. Current resume
  6. 2 letters of recommendation
  7. $40 application fee
  8. Additional Fee Information
STEP3
Once the Admissions Office has received your application, you will receive an email confirmation notifying you of what we have and what is still needed to complete your application.
Once the Admissions Office has received your application, you will receive an email confirmation notifying you of what we have and what is still needed to complete your application.
STEP4
Once the application is complete, your file is forwarded to the School of Education where we will conduct a formal evaluation.
Once the application is complete, your file is forwarded to the School of Education where we will conduct a formal evaluation.
STEP5
You will receive a written formal evaluation, including detailed instructions on how to proceed through your personalized program.
You will receive a written formal evaluation, including detailed instructions on how to proceed through your personalized program.


Endorsements offered at PLU

Art
Biology
Chemistry
Drama
Earth Science
English Language Arts
Early Childhood Education
ESL
General Science
Health and Fitness
History
Math
Middle Level Humanities
Middle Level Math/Science
Music
Physics
Reading
Social Studies
Special Education
World Languages: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Norwegian



Program Outline


Students entering the Add-on Endorsement program will, at a minimum, complete the following courses. This does not include any course work needed to attain content specific knowledge in a specific endorsement area.

 

Title

Credit Hours

Pedagogy Assessment

5


Timeline

The pace depends upon your own efforts and results from your formal evaluation that is conducted once we have received a completed application packet.