BAE in Literacy, Reading & Writing/Elementary

About

The literacy major provides prospective teachers with the tools to support reading and writing instruction, benefiting their students across disciplines by improving comprehension. Candidates will study effective teaching and assessment strategies for the development of reading, writing, presentation and speaking skills. This specific degree is for elementary majors, but we also offer one for secondary majors.

In this program, you’ll take coursework in children’s/young adult literature, content literacy, writing across the curriculum, and literacy assessments. We encourage you to become a member of the Eastern Reading Council, which supports community literacy activities.

View Requirements

Application Process

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Literacy, Reading and Writing/Elementary Major, Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE)

This major satisfies the endorsement for preschool to grade 12.

The BAE in Literacy, Reading and Writing prepares teacher candidates to teach in grades P–12 in all aspects of literacy. Candidates completing a major in Literacy, Reading and Writing will demonstrate proficiency in the Reading Endorsement competencies through the state of Washington.

Elementary Education students must complete the required Elementary Education Core and the following courses.
Required Literacy, Reading and Writing Courses
EDUC 305CHILDREN'S LITERATURE STUDY AND USE4
EDUC 320ASSESSING AND DIFFERENTIATING LITERACY INSTRUCTION4
EDUC 401YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE STUDY AND USE4
EDUC 403LITERACY ASSESSMENT PRACTICUM1
EDUC 411LITERACY FOR LINGUISTICALLY AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE LEARNERS4
EDUC 412CONTENT AREA LITERACY: MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT FOR LITERACY MAJORS AND MINORS4
or EDUC 413 CONTENT AREA LITERACY: MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION CANDIDATES
EDUC 416WRITING PROCESS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM4
Electives–choose one3-5
A GLOBAL VIEW THROUGH CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
LITERACY AND ROBOTICS
INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
EARLY LITERACY
NATURAL RESOURCES CAPSTONE
LANGUAGE STRUCTURE AND USE
Capstone
EDUC 490
EDUC 494
LITERACY MAJOR CAPSTONE
and LITERACY SEMINAR AND PRACTICUM (must be taken concurrently)
8
Total Credits36-38

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

All prerequisites must be completed prior to admission: Please contact the Undergraduate Advisor in the School of Education.

Admission Requirements

  • Complete all in-person and online admission requirements.
  • A grade ≥B- in all prerequisite courses listed below is required.
  • GPA Requirement: a minimum ≥2.8 GPA.
  • Provide scores for the Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B), SAT, and/or ACT (Reading, Writing, and Math). This is a state requirement that must be met before full admission.

In addition to the above, the following are prerequisites specific to programs and certificates.


Elementary Education Program Prerequisites


Secondary Education Program Prerequisites


P-3 Early Childhood Program Prerequisites


Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (Candidate holds a BA/BS from an approved institution)

Elementary

Secondary

P-3 Early Childhood

  • Education: SPED 363  and EDUC 390  
  • All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last 6 years.

Transition to Teaching Alternative Route: Consult with the Transition to Teaching Director in the School of Education.

Grade Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

Admission GPA ≥2.8
Maintain GPA ≥2.8 in program

  • ≥B- in each course for program prerequisites
  • ≥B- in education core
  • Specific content areas including majors and minors may have additional grade requirements
  • A minimum grade ≥C is required in any content course leading to a secondary, middle level or P-12 endorsement

Graduate Programs

Automatic Admission GPA ≥3.0
Maintain GPA ≥3.0 in program

  • Maximum of 2 C grades