BAS degrees are designed to build on Associate degrees that provide workplace skills. BAS degrees build on a practical career training degree and provide a path to the baccalaureate level without requiring the student to earn another two-year degree. LCC's program will prepare teacher candidates with content and subject knowledge required in PreK-8 classrooms, while integrating an in-depth residency experience. Completion of the program will result in the award of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education.

In Washington, educators must obtain a Washington certificate in order to serve in the public schools. The residency certificate enables the holder to teach in endorsed subject areas. Certificates are issued by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Washington issues the Residency Teacher Certificate to most first-time and out-of-state applicants for a regular teaching certificate.

An endorsement defines the content area on the Washington Teaching Certificate. In the LCC Teacher Education program, you may earn endorsements in Elementary Education (K-8) and Early Childhood Education (P-3).

The BAS-TE degree will prepare graduates to work across the spectrum of early childhood education from birth through eighth grade in a variety of early education and general education programs such as early intervention, Head Start, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and primary schools. Classroom teachers with an elementary education endorsement may be assigned to teach any subject in grades K-8.

Although teachers who graduate from the Teacher Education program are approved by the state to teach K-8, they must also meet state requirements in order to teach grades 6-8. These requirements vary from district to district. For more information, contact the BAS-TE manager.

Candidates enrolled in the full-time cohort complete residency certification requirements in two years. This is a total of 6 academic quarters. (approximately 15 credits per quarter).

Candidates enrolled in the part-time cohort complete degree and residency certification requirements in 2 ½ years including 3 summer quarters. This is a total of 9 academic quarters (approximately 10 credits per quarter).

The 2020 part-time cohort (group of students going through the program together) begins courses summer quarter 2020. The next full-time cohort will begin fall 2021.

An application has two parts: Students need to apply to Lower Columbia College through the Office of Admissions and after that, to the Teacher Education Program through the Bachelor of Applied Science – Teacher Education (BAS-TE). BAS-TE admissions are competitive: there is one application deadline each year.

Student applicants will be screened through a process with clearly-defined minimum qualifications and prerequisites. Students will be expected to have cumulative 2.7 GPA in all college level coursework.

No, but you must take the WEST-B (Washington Educator Skills Test–Basic) prior to full acceptance into BAS-TE. The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) has established exemptions and alternatives to the WEST-B requirement. See the PESB website for details.

Washington has two testing requirements: basic skills, WEST-B and Approved Alternatives, (no passing score required) and content knowledge area testing NES. For details see the OSPI website.

Up to 30 candidates will be admitted to each cohort. LCC will admit students based on a weighted application process based on the following criteria: degree type, relevant work experience, GPA, and a personal statement.

We will work with all students who are interested in the BAS-TE program. You may need to retake some courses to improve your GPA, obtain more volunteer hours, or complete prerequisite courses. We will meet with interested students individually to develop a plan.

Please stay posted for application information for the 2021 full-time cohort.

Besides taking the WEST-B test (or equivalent), applicants will need:

• Associate degree or completion of 90 credits from a regionally accredited college
• Minimum cumulative (overall) college level GPA of 2.7
• Official college transcripts (excluding LCC)

No, previous and current LCC students do NOT need to submit official LCC transcripts.

No, high school transcripts are not required for the BAS-TE application.

The WEST-B test is the Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic which covers reading writing and mathematics. There is no required passing score for the WEST-B.

See the PESB website for details.

Applicants who can provide documentation of one of the following are exempt from taking the WEST–B:

• A National Board Teaching Certificate
• Washington passing scores on all three tests (Reading, Mathematics, and Writing) of the Praxis I
• A passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test™ (CBEST®)
• A passing score on the NES Essential Academic Skills Test
• SAT
• ACT

You may include a copy of your scores with your BAS-TE application or have scores sent directly to LCC.

Your test scores are reported to you and to any institution that you indicated as a score recipient when you registered. Your scores are also reported directly to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Office of Certification, and are automatically added to your certification application file. Your score report is for your records only; do not submit it with your application for certification or with the LCC or BAS-TE applications.

It can take up to six weeks to receive scores for the writing portion of the WEST-B. We advise taking the WEST-B as soon as possible.

Currently there is no expiration of the validity period for WEST-B test results.

You should not delay your application if you are waiting for your WEST-B results. Please submit all required application forms and indicate “waiting for your results” on the application.

Yes, undergraduate students in the Teacher Education Program are assigned to academic advisors in the BAS-TE program.

LCC has partnerships with the following school districts: Castle Rock, Longview, Kalama, Kelso, Toutle Lake, Wahkiakum, and Woodland.

All Placements will be assigned through collaboration with school building principals, mentor teachers, and BAS-TE Faculty.