Become a teacher
Routes
Alternative routes to teacher certification programs
- Professional Educator Standards Board
- PESB.WA, Alternative routers for teaching cert
- PESB.WA, Find an alternative program
- Routes 3 or 4
Best Options
Teaching MS from state school (in-state tuition)
- pays slightly more than just teaching certification
UW
UW Accelerated Certification for Teachers (U-ACT)
- Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Online, Part-time
- One evening online class per week, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday
- Additional online class is held bimonthly, typically on a Thursday
Year One: Residency Teaching Certificate (31 credits)
- “Summer learning experience” means that courses begin in August
- Foundations coursework
- Methods coursework in your content/endorsement area
Year Two: Master in Teaching Degree (22-25 credits)
- Students opt into this year
- Content and context-specific coursework relevant to you
- Foundations coursework
- Culminating capstone project
Less Scholarships, because program doesn't receive funding from the Washington State legislature, but check site above for them
- Year one: $16,075 (about $5300 per quarter)
- Year two: $12,475 (about $4000 per quarter)
- Total: $28,550
- Monday, Feb 2 2026 | 5 - 6PM
UW 2
Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)
- 1 year
- Field based, On-campus
- Full-time
- October 10, 2025, but ongoing applications
- Washington state residents: $6,912 per quarter, 4 quarters
- $27,648
Seattle U
- Cost 60k for 1 year