Best Online Education & Teaching Programs in Washington (WA)
If you have a desire to shape young minds and build a brighter future for young people, working as a teacher can be a great avenue. Washington is an ideal location for teachers, due to the ongoing teacher shortages faced by the evergreen state.
This guide features some top degree and certificate programs from high-quality schools, with details on the type of delivery method each offers, links to helpful resources, and what you can expect once you earn your degree with salary and career projects for Washington teachers. We’ll also answer some important questions that may come up in your research and application process.
All About Associate Degrees
Associate degrees are an excellent starting point for Washington residents interested in teaching. These two-year programs cover essential educational theories, child development, and instructional techniques. Graduates can be teaching assistants and childcare workers or continue their studies in a bachelor’s degree program in education.
Cascadia College
This community college offers what it calls an elementary education pathway for students to earn an associate degree with the understanding that you’ll continue on to a bachelor’s degree in education. The Cascadia program includes 90 credit hours of classes, in which you’ll learn about educational techniques, general psychology, science labs, and intercultural communications. There is also an integrated learning course which may include an internship if you qualify. Advisors are available to help you in choosing courses and discussing long-term goals and career opportunities. Cascadia accepts financial aid for all its courses and offers assistance in finding financial aid options.
Location: Bothell
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $128-$328/credit, residency-dependent
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Proof of Washington state residency
- Meet English and Math placement requirements
The Best of Bachelor’s Degrees in Washington
Education bachelor’s degrees are for people who want to become licensed educators. With most programs taking between two and four years, students engage in extensive coursework covering teaching theories, classroom management, curriculum development, and inclusive practices. Programs often include student-teaching experiences, providing practical classroom experience essential for a teaching career.
City University of Seattle
City University of Seattle offers a flexible Bachelor of Arts in Education with options for online coursework, weekend classes, or hybrid delivery to fit into your schedule. Internships, practicums, and student teaching are all offered as electives. Transfer credits from associate degree programs are accepted.
There are several specializations for the degree, including elementary education, middle-level math, special education, English Language Learners (ELL), or reading and literacy. The program meets the requirements to be certified as a teacher in Washington. Financial aid is accepted, and the CU of Seattle office can advise on what’s available.
Location: Seattle for main campus; Edmonds, Tacoma, or Vancouver (WA) for regional campuses
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $460 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Pass the Washington Educators Skills Test or a state-approved math, reading and writing test
- Resume/CV
- Three reference letters
Washington’s Marvellous Master’s Degrees
If you want to deepen your education skills and knowledge for greater opportunities to affect the field, a master’s degree makes sense. Often completed in one to two years, these programs offer specialization in leadership, curriculum design, special education, or technology. They’re ideal for current educators who want to be administrators.
Washington State University
Students receive a Master of Education in Special Education with this fully online 37-credit offering from WSU Global Campus. Coursework is tied into the state’s special education core competencies. Required courses include Teaching Students With Disabilities, Social Foundations of Education, Research Methods, and Prevention And Remediation of Reading Disabilities. The courses all feature evidence-based teaching strategies ranging from early childhood education through high school.
Instructors have experience with special education in K-12 settings, with expertise in the autism spectrum, behavioral disorders, and early childhood disabilities. Financial aid is available for WSU’s online courses.
Location: Pullman, plus satellite campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver (WA), and Everett
Mode: Online
Cost: Cost and price structure by campus and hours enrolled.
Admissions Requirements:
- Resume/CV
- Letter of intent
- Three reference letters
- Complete transcripts and educational history
- Evidence of special education experience
Find the Perfect Postgraduate Programs in Washington
The most advanced degrees include doctorates for educators who want high-level leadership and administrative roles. PhD and EdD programs are intensive, research-focused degrees for people who want to contribute original research and scholarship in educational theory, policy, or practice. Graduate certificates are short-term programs for educators seeking expertise in a specific education area.
Gonzaga University
The School of Education at Gonzaga offers a fully online Doctor of Educational Leadership program. The EdD can be earned in three years and is 51 credits, and all learning is asynchronous for maximum convenience.
Courses include Research for Evidence-Based Practice, Ethics and Leadership, Organizational Systems Analysis, Action Planning, and Culture and Identity. The course concludes with a capstone project that will need to feature data and analysis to solve a specific problem in professional educational practice. Gonzanga does accept and administer some for its graduate scholarships programs and accepts federal student loans and employer tuition reimbursements.
Location: Spokane
Mode: Online
Cost: Tuition is $1,100 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited university, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- At least five years of experience in a Pre-K-12 learning environment, or other relevant experience
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- Video interview
Frequently Asked Questions from Washington Education Students
Is there financial aid available for my education degree or certificate?
Education and teaching students in top Washington programs can access various financial aid options, including scholarships, loans, and other programs, to help fund their degrees. It’s always a good idea to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid first, as the FAFSA is how you commonly qualify for many scholarships, loans, and grants. This includes federal as well as state options. It’s also important to speak with your school’s financial aid office to see what they accept and what scholarships or work-study programs they accept or administer on their own.
What are some things to remember as I start my teaching career, to make sure that it’s successful?
There are many challenges to consider as you navigate your first year as a professional teacher, but a fair chunk of the advice that resonates well has to do with overall planning. Break down responsibilities into smaller tasks to stay on top of what’s required. Find a balance between how you structure classroom rules and how you bring fun into the environment. Resist the temptation to take on too many outside roles beyond the classroom at your school. Most importantly, make sure you book the time to plan your lessons and stick to that timing.
Who accredits the schools in Washington that provide education degrees and certificates?
There is a major body that ensures that your program has quality at the forefront: the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, or NWCCU. While there are some other groups, the NWCCU is the one that most colleges and universities tout. Seeing its logo as part of your program’s website speaks to the relevance of the curriculum and its promotion of student success and achievement.
What are some of the most common specializations I can earn with my degrees?
Some of the regular offerings include elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, and English as a Second Language, which is also known as English Language Learner. There are also many specializations that can be a part of a degree or separate certificate program. These include ones for leadership, instructional design, educational psychology, math and science, or higher education administration, among many others.
How do you become a certified teacher in Washington?
The full plan to become certified as a Washington teacher includes degree programs, exams, and endorsements. You’ll need to prove you earned an accredited bachelor’s degree and then take and pass the Washington Educator Skills Test (WEST), either for basics or specialties.
The tests cost $96 for all three basic subtests for reading, writing, and math; or that same standard price for the specialty exam of your choice. Washington also requires teachers to apply for endorsements from education leaders from the district in which you want to work.
What to Expect as a Teacher in Washington
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Elementary School Teachers | $63,830 | $120,440 | $87,960 |
| Washington | Kindergarten Teachers | $59,150 | $111,960 | $83,200 |
| Washington | Middle School Teachers | $63,280 | $122,100 | $93,480 |
| Washington | Postsecondary Teachers | $44,690 | $104,840 | $63,780 |
| Washington | Secondary School Teachers | $64,240 | $122,700 | $100,480 |
| Washington | Teachers and Instructors | $38,470 | $98,260 | $68,980 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Elementary School Teachers | 32,980 | 37,380 | 4,400 | 13.30% |
| Washington | Kindergarten Teachers | 5,820 | 6,610 | 790 | 13.60% |
| Washington | Middle School Teachers | 11,890 | 13,410 | 1,520 | 12.80% |
| Washington | Postsecondary Teachers | 800 | 910 | 110 | 13.80% |
| Washington | Secondary School Teachers | 16,000 | 18,080 | 2,080 | 13.00% |
| Washington | Teachers and Instructors | 23,710 | 26,820 | 3,110 | 13.10% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Washington’s Best Resources for Education & Teaching Students
Whether you are a professional teacher or you are going through the educational system yourself as a student, there are resources that can help you learn more about your career or provide support for your degree program. Here is a list of some resources that are tied directly to the Washington education community.
Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession: CSTP supports teaching excellence and student achievement in Washington. They offer resources, research, advocacy, and training opportunities for the state’s educators, making it a comprehensive resource for professional development.
Nerd Farmer Podcast: Hosted by a past Washington State Teacher of the Year, this pod features content about state and national teaching and education issues among its diverse mostly weekly offerings.
Open Educational Resources Hub: The Washington OER Hub is an invaluable online library of K-12 open educational resources, offering lessons, videos, and guidance documents specifically for Washington educators, all aligned with state learning standards.
Opportunity Pathways: Through its financial aid program, the state government offers several need- and merit-based programs for students who are in participating institutions in Washington. It also includes workforce programs.
State Archives Educational Resources: The Secretary of State features links to dozens of publications, collections, videos and oral histories that can help Washington teachers with relevant state content for their students.
Teach Washington: The stories of state teachers’ career pathways are part of this resource website, which also include the steps to being certified and information on the state’s general attributes.
Washington Education Association: This Washington organization provides support and resources for education professionals, including scholarships, development opportunities, and advocacy information. This is a valuable resource for current and aspiring educators.
Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board: The PESB is dedicated to advancing equity in educator preparation and workforce development. The group offers resources and puts together initiatives that address disparities and promote cultural competency throughout the state.
Washington Student Achievement Council Teacher Programs: This state group’s Educator Workforce Program provides financial aid to attract and retain teachers in high-need subjects or locations. This is an excellent aid resource for students of top state education programs.
WSU Teacher Education Scholarships: This major university in the state has a particularly robust program for its education students, giving about $325,000 annually in scholarship support. There are also loan forgiveness programs through WSU.
Top Picks: Online Education & Teaching Programs in Washington
The best online programs for education degrees and certificates often include interactive coursework, virtual classroom experiences, and some in-person fieldwork or internships, allowing you to balance studies with other commitments.
The rankings below come from four-year-program schools with an online emphasis that volunteered information to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Stats to watch for include graduation rates, percentages of online offerings, averages for student grant aid, and student-to-faculty ratio.
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, Washington
Public
Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, Washington
Public
Whitworth University
Spokane, Washington
Private
Renton Technical College
Renton, Washington
Public
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington
Public
