Nov 23, 2024  
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog

Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies, BAE

Location(s): WWU - Bellingham


Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Multilingual Education, Woodring College of Education

44 credits (minimum)

Introduction

The Bachelor of Arts in Education: Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies major responds to the growing diversity in the state’s schools and supports the Woodring College of Education’s efforts to embrace diversity and promote social justice. The major focuses on research-based and experience-validated knowledge to help elementary school teachers reach all students. This includes increasing teacher candidates’ cultural competency and capacity to teach multilingual language learners. Graduates receive WWU’s recommendation for a Residency Teaching Certificate with endorsements in Elementary Education, Reading, and English Language Learners or Bilingual Endorsement.

Why Consider a Language, Literacy and Culture Major?

The LLC major was designed in response to requests from schools for elementary teachers to have the dispositions, knowledge, and skills to work with an increasingly diverse elementary student population and their families. Prior to entering the program, undergraduates will complete most or all of their general university requirements (GURs). After completion of the GURs, it will usually take eight or nine quarters to graduation, given a course load of 15-17 credits.

 Contact Information

Program Manager
Joanna Reynoso
Miller Hall 301D
360-650-2725
reynosj@wwu.edu

Program Director
Steph Strachan
Miller Hall 315A
360-650-3980
strachs@wwu.edu

Teacher Education Admission
Miller Hall 254F
360-650-6161
wce.wwu.edu/admissions/contact

 

 Sample Careers

Elementary Education Teacher

 Major/Career Resources

careercenter.wwu.edu/connectmajorcareer

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admission to Western Washington University and admission to Elementary Education are required before a student may begin taking courses in the Professional Sequence and most courses in the Language, Literacy and Cultural Studies major. Please receive advisement for information about courses that may be taken before admission. See the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements. Requirements for consideration of an application include:

  • completion of a minimum of 75 credits.
  • 2.75 GPA (cumulative or last 45-plus graded credits).
  • Meet the basic skills requirement. This may be met by: a) Taking the West-B exam, b) SAT scores, c) ACT scores. There is no minimum score requirement for admission. See the Woodring admissions website: wce.wwu.edu/admissions/west-b-requirement and the West-B website: www.west.nesinc.com.
  • completion of an English composition course with grade of B- or higher
  • completed application (see web site for dates)

Enrollment restrictions apply in all teacher education programs. Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission. For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, 360-650-6161 or visit the web site at wce.wwu.edu/admissions/contact.

Retention in the program requires continuous demonstration of competence in standard oral and written English in all coursework. Retention also requires maintenance of a 2.75 quarterly GPA for each quarter upon admission to Elementary Education. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement and for the professional education sequence must be completed with a grading of C (2.0) or better.

Student Advisement

Prospective elementary education students are invited to meet with an advisor for more information about the program. The main office is in Miller Hall 300 and the phone number is (360) 650-3336. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor with whom they will stay in contact throughout their program.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Requirements


Additional Requirements


Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements


Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education, Woodring College of Education

105 credits

Introduction

This program centers an anti-bias, anti-racist, social justice philosophy and leads to a recommendation to the state of Washington for a teaching certificate with an Elementary Education endorsement. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree with teacher certification and an endorsement in elementary education must complete the GURs, an approved academic major, and the professional education course work listed below.

Admission and Declaration Process

See the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Professional Field Experiences & Methods Courses (38 credits)