Professional Certification

Program Curriculum

The Professional Certification Program consists of a minimum of 15 required credits.

The consecutive Pro Cert Seminars:

Pre-Assessment Seminar (2 credits)
Professional Growth Seminars (a minimum of three) (1 credit each)
Culminating Seminar (1 credit minimum)

and electives in the M.Ed. Program (9 credits).

The 9 credits of M.Ed. electives are taken in conjunction with the Pro Cert Seminars. Pro Cert candidates in the M.Ed. at UW Bothell can apply the 15 Pro Cert credits to their masters' degree.

Pre-assessment Seminar (B EDUC 542 - one seminar, 2 credits) In their initial quarter, Pro Cert candidates enroll in the Pre-Assessment Seminar. In this seminar, they learn about the Pro Cert Process as required by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Schools in Washington State. By reflecting on their teaching strengths and challenges as well as exploring the learning context of their schools and needs of their pupils, candidates create their Professional Growth Plans that will guide their long-term planning during the Pro Cert Program. During this seminar, candidates also identify their Pro Growth Teams, composed of colleagues and administrators in their schools as well as a representative of the UWB Pro Cert Program.

Professional Growth Seminars (B EDUC 546, three seminars, 1-2 each; max. 6 credits) The Professional Seminars are designed to help candidates link their coursework to the Standards and Criteria of the Professional Certificate. In these seminars, candidates write and revise their Pro Cert Portfolio entries.

Culminating Seminar (B EDUC 548, one seminar, 1-2 max. 6 credits) Candidates assemble evidence that documents the knowledge, skills, and performances required for Professional Certification within a portfolio format and present the portfolio to their professional growth team, colleagues, education faculty, and other Pro Cert students.

M.Ed. Electives (9 credits) Candidates enroll in M.Ed. courses while taking Pro Cert seminars. These courses are chosen to align with candidates' Professional Growth Plans and documentation of Pro Cert Standards and Criteria, for example, in the area of curriculum development, assessment, technology, cultural diversity, and/or teacher leadership.