Endorsement Advising and Exams

The elementary endorsement prepares students to teach students K-8.

Since the elementary endorsement covers a broad range of coursework, many applicants need to take additional courses to meet the prerequisite coursework requirements listed on the elementary endorsement form. The MIT program makes it easy to meet the course requirements by offering Elementary Content Modules.

The Secondary Endorsement option allows you to teach grades 6-12.

Below are the specific secondary endorsement areas offered at Seattle University. 

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Designated World Languages Endorsement Form: French, Japanese, Spanish  
• Earth and Space Science
• English Language Arts
• History  
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Science**  
• Social Studies
• Theater Arts**  
• Visual Arts

**Students seeking an endorsement in Theater Arts and General Science must also have an endorsement in a second subject area. Common combinations are Theater Arts and Language Arts, or Biology and General Science. 

All applicants must take the Washington Educator Skills Test - Basic (WEST-B) or submit test scores for an accepted alternative test prior to the beginning of the program. The WEST-B consists of three sections: Reading, Writing, and Math. The test is available  online.

Due to current legislation, the State of WA does not require a passing score for the WEST-B or its accepted alternatives. Below are the acceptable alternatives for the WEST-B. If you choose to use ACT or SAT scores, and you did not have an essay sub-test as part of your exam, you will need to also take the WEST-B writing sub-test.  

Accepted alternatives for all applicants:

• ACT
• SAT  
  • Applicants who did not complete a Writing portion on the SATs may alternatively take the WEST-B writing or the SAT Essay  

Alternatives for out-of-state applicants:

• CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)  
• Praxis I  
•  NES Essential Academic Skills Test  

All applicants must take and pass the Washington Educator Skills Test - Endorsement (WEST-E) or National Evaluation Series (NES) test in their endorsement area(s) prior to beginning the program. This test is not a requirement to apply to the program. If admitted, applicants will need to provide official passing scores to Seattle University prior to August 10 (of your entry year). The NES passing score is 220. The WEST-E passing score is 240. These tests are available  online.  

Designated World Language (DWL): The DWL endorsement is only offered in the MIT program. 

• DWL West-E: The DWL endorsement is only offered in the MIT program. The WEST-E for DWL does not need to be taken prior to the beginning of the MIT program. Students obtaining this endorsement will need to take and pass the corresponding WEST-E before beginning their internship.  
• ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)Test: ALL students obtaining a DWL endorsement (French, Spanish, Japanese) do need to take and pass both the written (WPT) and oral (OPI) sections of the ACTFL test prior to the start of the program. Both sections must be passed at the level of "Advanced Low" or better. Test registration can be completed online.

The College of Education has a limited number of vouchers available to cover the cost of the test fee for the WEST-B, WEST-E, and/or NES exams. Please email teachered@seattleu.edu to request a voucher. Vouchers are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.