Program Details
City University of Seattle is approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board to offer a shorter, alternative route to becoming a teacher. This program is designed for people who have prior experience and want to complete a teaching program in as little as one year.
There are four routes that students can take in this flexible and affordable program — each route has been developed to suit students in unique life circumstances.
- Route 1: for students who are employed by school districts as “classified instructional employees,” or paraprofessionals who have an associate degree. Students taking Route 1 will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Education.
- Route 2: for students currently employed by a school district who have a bachelor’s degree.
- Route 3: for students who have a bachelor’s degree, who are not employed by a school district, but have documented career expertise in a subject-matter shortage area such as Special Education; English Language; or Math.
- Route 4: for students with a bachelor’s degree who are employed by a school district at the time of application and hold a conditional teaching or emergency substitute certificate.
Beginning in summer 2018, an additional graduate level alt. routes program is being offered. This master’s level program is a one year certificate with graduate level courses, which fulfills more than half of the required credits towards a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree.
Program includes…
- Saturday classes
- A mentored internship program within a school district
- Preparation for the edTPA exam
Key Admission Requirements
- Passage of the WEST-B statewide basic skills exams
- Completion of the WEST-E/NES subject matter assessments required by RCW 28A.410.220 (3) for the endorsements being sought
- District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of successful student interaction and leadership as “classified staff” for Routes 1 and 2.
Routes 2, 3 and 4 prepare students to teach and create curriculum in shortage areas such as Math, English Language Learner (ELL) and Special Education.
Speak with a CityU advisor to get started on your route to becoming a teacher today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is this program offered?
CityU’s Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification are offered at our Everett, Tacoma, and Vancouver, Washington, locations.
What is the delivery method?
These programs are offered in a mixed mode (hybrid) format.
When is this program offered?
Onsite portions of these programs start in summer quarter and are offered on the weekends.
What regions or school districts are served?
CityU’s Alternative Route to Teacher Certification programs primarily serve Western Washington, although we are able to accommodate candidates and districts in Eastern Washington.
Who is the coordinator for this program?
Associate Professor Steve Brown
brownsd@cityu.edu
206-239-4853
For questions about the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification programs, or for information on admission, please contact a CityU enrollment advisor.
How long does it take to complete this program?
The estimated time to completion for routes 2, 3 and 4 is one year. The estimated time to completion for route 1 is two years.
How much does this program cost?
Estimated tuition costs for routes 2, 3 and 4 is $8,000-$12,000. Estimated tuition costs for route 1 is $32,000. View more information on tuition.
Does CityU have an State Block Grant?
Yes, if you work in one of five school districts – Bellevue, Lakewood, Marysville, Mukilteo or Seattle – you may be eligible to receive grant funds to help pay your tuition and other expenses. Contact your district’s HR department in addition to a CityU enrollment advisor.
Does CityU have an Alternative Route pathway for world language teachers?
Indirectly, yes. CityU has been awarded a Startalk grant, funded by the National Security Agency (NSA), to assist in increasing the number of fluent speakers of Chinese, Korean and Portuguese earning teacher certificates in the state of Washington, with initial certificates earned through our Alternative Routes program in one of the shortage areas that we regularly offer. Along with matriculating through our program, candidates receive additional instruction in methods and hands-on teaching of Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Portuguese.
Leanna Aker
Q&A with Leanna Aker, Associate Program Director
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: I have a Ph.D. in Education from Seattle Pacific University. My dissertation explored practices that best engage middle school science learners.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I enjoy reading, cooking, and competing my dogs in agility.
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: I’ve taught a variety of courses in teacher preparation here at CityU, including STEM, assessment and internship courses.
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: All through high school, I was known as the person who explains anything to anyone, and thus served a sort of informal “tutoring” role. I found this really satisfying and realized that helping others to succeed could be a long and rewarding career.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: I enjoy helping pre-service teachers navigate the challenges of balancing and integrating field work and coursework. I love watching our students grow throughout the course of their programs.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: I always ask my students to actively shift between two roles in class: that of a learner, and that of a future teacher. I want them to learn from the experiences in class, but also to reflect on how they felt as a learner in the class.
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: Watching students’ capstone presentations is so rewarding… It is amazing to see how much students grow over the course of their programs.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: I would tell a student that they are going to be involved in a class with practical application in the classroom. I try to model evidence-based teaching practices in my courses.
Q: What is something that you have learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: Students want to know that they have spent time on meaningful assignments, and they want meaningful feedback. I keep striving to ensure that my courses have practical application and are relevant to teaching contexts.
Steve Brown
Q&A with Steve Brown, Albright School of Education Chair of Graduate Programs
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: J.D., University of Michigan Law School.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Play soccer, umpire girls’ fastpitch, cook dinner, travel
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: I tend to teach School Law related courses.
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: I’ve always loved kids. Back when I was a lawyer, I found that my favorite activity was volunteer speaking/presenting at schools or training workforces about issues like harassment and discrimination. Then, when I created – and totally enjoyed – an interactive “What does a lawyer do?” half-hour program for my eldest’s pre-school, I began to think about changing professions.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: I particularly like the “alternative” non-straight-line backgrounds of our candidates (and applicants), and delivering instruction which honors and utilizes their varied life experiences.
Q: What's one thing you always tell your students that may or may not relate to your class?
A: There are no wrong questions! I have a sign posted on the wall behind my desk at the Everett site.
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: Many. Here’s one: Going out to a school in Aberdeen to evaluate a candidate’s master’s action research presentation. It was based on work that he had done in a 5th grade class. So he presented in front of his class of 5th graders with other CityU faculty, his parents, and district representatives sitting at the back of the class.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: You won’t be able to be a passive observer. And you’ll have fun while learning!
Q: What is something you've learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: To explain the course goals right up front, and to “unpack” required rubrics in plain language with the class.
Bryan Carter
Q&A with Bryan Carter, Albright School of Education Chair of Undergraduate Programs
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: Ph.D. in History from Oklahoma State University.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I spend time with my dog Ellis and write history.
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: Field Experiences, World History, Diversity, Current Issues in Education
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: My father was a teacher of 41 years, and while I tried to avoid the career, I ended up following in his footsteps.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: I like the flexibility our programs provide students.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: I teach my students to think critically and realize there are no easy answers.
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: Graduation is always exciting!
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: Be confident, be prepared, and have fun!
Q: What is something that you have learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: I’ve worked on responsive feedback to my students so they get more out of my classes.
