What are the four routes?
Route 1: For district staff (e.g., paraeducators) with an associate’s degree
Who
Route 1 is designed for currently employed district staff with an associate’s degree (or equivalent in credit hours) seeking residency teacher certification with a subject matter or geographic shortage area endorsement.
What
Candidates enrolled in this route complete both their baccalaureate degree and requirements for residency certification in two years or less, including an employed mentored internship to be completed in the final year.
Entry requirements
- Degree at entry: associate’s degree
- Testing required for entry: at least one attempt of the statewide basic skills exam
Other entry requirements:
- District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of student interaction and leadership
- Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers
Route 2: For district staff with a bachelor’s degree
Who
Route 2 is designed for currently employed district staff with baccalaureate degrees, who are seeking residency teacher certification with a subject matter or geographic shortage area endorsement.
What
Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend a pre-residency intensive academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship while completing coursework.
Entry requirements
- Degree at entry: baccalaureate degree
- Testing required for entry: at least one attempt of the statewide basic skills exam and at least one attempt of the subject matter assessment
Other entry requirements:
- District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of student interaction and leadership
- Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers
Route 3: For “career changers” with a bachelor’s degree
Who
Route 3 is designed for individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are not employed in the district at the time of application and who are seeking residency teacher certification with a subject matter or geographic shortage area endorsement.
What
Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend a pre-residency intensive academy, followed by a full year engaged with a school district as a mentored resident intern while completing coursework.
Entry requirements
- Degree at entry: baccalaureate degree
- Testing required for entry: at least one attempt of the statewide basic skills exam and at least one attempt of the subject matter assessment
Other entry requirements:
- External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers
- Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers
Route 4: For district staff with a bachelor’s degree and a limited certificate
Who
Route 4 is designed for individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are employed in the district and hold a limited certificate, and who are seeking residency teacher certification with a subject matter or geographic shortage area endorsement.
What
Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend a pre-residency intensive academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship while completing coursework. If employed on a conditional certificate, the intern may serve as the teacher of record, supported by a well-trained mentor.
Entry requirements
- Degree at entry: baccalaureate degree
- Testing required for entry: at least one attempt of the statewide basic skills exam and at least one attempt of the subject matter assessment
Other entry requirements:
- External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers
- Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers
Compare routes
| Entry requirements | Route 1 | Route 2 | Route 3 | Route 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum of AA degree (or equivalent) | X | |||
| Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution | X | X | X | |
| Attempt statewide basic skills exam | X | X | X | X |
| Attempt content knowledge assessment | X | X | X | |
| Meeting the age, good moral character, and professional fitness requirements | X | X | X | X |
| Employed with the district at the time of application | X | X | X | |
| District or building validation of qualification, including one year of student interaction and leadership | X | X | ||
| External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers | X | X | ||
| Eligible veterans or national guard members who meet the entry requirements for the alternative route program for which they applied will be given preference in admission. | X | X | X | X |
| Program features | Route 1 | Route 2 | Route 3 | Route 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Must complete 540 hours of clinical practice | X | X | X | X |
| Seek certification in subject or geographic shortage area | X | X | X | X |
| Required pre-residency intensive academy | X | X | X | |
| Full-year mentored internship (residency) | X | X | X | X |
| May serve as the teacher of record while in the Alternative Route program if employed on conditional certificate | X | |||
| Candidate eligible for residency teacher certification after successful completion of the program | X | X | X | X |
Other information
Admissions
- Each Alternative Route program has its own application process and you must contact the programs directly to learn more.
- Eligible veterans or national guard members who meet the entry requirements for the Alternative Route program will be given admission preference.
Program cost
- Each provider sets the tuition for its Alternative Routes program. Please contact the programs directly to learn more.
- Some providers are recipients of the Alternative Routes Block Grant, which provides funding for candidate conditional loans and program support. Contact awarded programs directly to learn more.
- Other sources of assistance may be accessed through financial aid, including support for future teachers.
State rules
The requirements for Alternative Route programs are outlined in Washington Administrative Code (WAC). All Alternative Routes partnerships must establish and maintain a memorandum of agreement outlining the expectations of all partners.
