Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment
66-73 credits (preparatory courses and major)
Introduction
This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in elementary education. See the Elementary Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements. This program is designed to provide necessary depth as well as breadth to teaching majors who wish to specialize in geography in the public school system.
Students wishing to complete a Geography Elementary Education major should complete the general chemistry series during their freshman year and the general biology series during their sophomore year. Prospective environmental science majors are strongly advised to take additional preparatory course work that provides a strong background in chemistry, biology and mathematics. The preparatory courses may be used to fulfill both Huxley College and GUR requirements.
Admission and Declaration Process
You can declare yourself as an Environmental Studies (ENVS) major at any time, and there are several advantages to declaring during your freshman or sophomore year. Once you are declared as a phase I major you are assigned a Huxley faculty advisor based on your interests at the time of declaration. You can then meet with your faculty advisor to discuss which courses to take and when, how to prepare for graduate school or a future career, or simply to get assistance navigating through the Huxley curriculum. Your email is added to an email distribution list for Huxley majors so you will begin to receive notifications and general announcements, as well as information about jobs, internships, or research opportunities.
Those pursuing the Geography – Elementary BAE degree may begin as Phase I majors. Preparatory and major requirements differ from those of the other ENVS majors as outlined in this catalog. You can declare an ENVS Phase I major at any time by going to the central Huxley College office in Environmental Studies Building 539 and filling out a major declaration card. Those interested in information about elementary education programs may request an appointment through Woodring College of Education in Miller Hall 262, phone 360-650-3336, e-mail address Ellen.Kreider@wwu.edu.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for courses in the elementary education professional program and all courses required for the endorsement.
All preparatory courses required for admission should be completed on a lettered or numeric grading scale, not P/NP, and must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
