WHEN CAN I APPLY?
Teachers may begin the program once they have a Residency Certificate and are employed in a Washington state school and have one year of experience as a contracted teacher.  Cohorts begin Autumn and Winter quarters.  For registration deadlines, please check with Partner Districts (for site-based) or with SPU (for online) cohorts.

HOW DO I APPLY?
Call 800-589-4038 or email profcert@spu.edu

WHAT DOES THE SPU ONLINE PROGRAM ENTAIL?
Combining cohort support with an individually designed program, SPU's program is ideal. Students take approximately 15 credits beginning with the Pre-Assessment Seminar and concluding with a culminating seminar and a portfolio presentation.  Each Candidate must satisfactorily address 3 standards and 12 criteria.

CAN I APPLY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSES TOWARD MY MASTER'S DEGREE?
Yes, all 15 credits may apply – based on the individualized Professional Growth Plan (PGP).

WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE?
Teachers with a master's degree may take continuing education and district staff development courses or other workshops for their 9 core credits.

WHAT IF I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN ANOTHER STATE?
The Advanced program is for certified teachers with 5 years or more of out of state teaching experience.  This is a condensed version of the Professional Certificate program which is designed to educate teachers in the Washington State standards for Professional Certification and help create a portfolio of evidence demonstrating competency of said standards. 

At the end of the course, if they have demonstrated competence in all areas, SPU will recommend them to the state for approval of a Professional Certificate. In some cases, additional coursework may be required to meet the criteria.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS ASSOCIATED?
An initial $25 application fee applies. If a master's degree is selected, an additional $50 master's application fee is required. Total costs for the 15 credits vary from as little as $2,000 for the continuing education option to approximately $4,200 for the master's option.

WHAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE?
Loan options are available through CitiBank.  Check online at www.studentloan.com or 800/745-5473 and look for City Assist Loan under 'Loan Products.'

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE AT THE STATE LEVEL?

Click here for information from the Office of the Superintendant of Public Instruction (OSPI).