This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AAS/DTA degree and prepares you to major in elementary education (the Language, Literacy and Cultural Studies option) at Western Washington University. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.

If you intend to teach a specific subject (such as art, math, or history), you will need to major in your subject. You should use a pathway for that subject instead of this one.

EDUC& 202 Intro to education (5 credits)

MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
If you aren't ready for MATH& 141, start the math sequence leading to it.

Career exploration:

• Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
• Learn about education careers as part of EDUC& 202.

Action items:

• Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan in Starfish.
  Note: if you didn't complete at least two years of a world language in high school, you will need to meet your world-language requirement with two quarters of a language at Whatcom.
• Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
• Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.

EDUC& 115 Child development (5 credits)

ENGL 201 Advanced composition (5 credits)

CMST& 210 Interpersonal communication (5 credits)
or CMST& 220 Public speaking (5 credits)
or CMST& 230 Small group communication (5 credits)

Career exploration:

• Compare the different possibilities for teaching at the elementary or middle-school level by looking at the websites of WWU and other universities you're interested in.
• Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.

EDUC& 150 Child/family/community (3 credits)

PSYC& 100 General psychology (5 credits)

BIOL& 100 Survey of biology (5 credits)

Career exploration:

• Take advantage of opportunities to work with youth in the community.  For instance, Cordata Elementary near WCC is often looking for volunteers.

Action items:

• Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major.  Are you on track?
• Find out whether you need to take the WEST-B exam and if you do, schedule it.

CMST 225 Intercultural communication (5 credits)

ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology (5 credits)

Career exploration:

• Listen to podcasts about education or the kind of career you're aiming for.

Action items:

• Meet with the internship coordinator to start arranging an internship at a school for Quarter 6.
• Meet with your advisor about applying to universities.  Start your transfer applications.
• Apply for next year's financial aid.

HUM& 101 Intro to humanities (6 credits)

HUM 106 Humanities here and now (1 credit)

ENGL& 225 Children's literature (5 credits)

EDUC& 204 Exceptional child (5)

Action items:

• Apply to graduate.
• Apply to Woodring College of Education at WWU before March 1st for fall admission.

PE 181 Health and wellness (5 credits)

GEOL 100 Intro to earth science (5 credits)

EDUC 190 Internship (5 credits): work-based learning

Career exploration:

•  This quarter's internship gives you experience working in a formal educational setting.

Action items:

• Attend the spring job fair.

If you plan to teach at the middle-school or high-school level, you'll need to complete a university major in the subject you plan to teach.  Because of that, your pathway at Whatcom should be the one for that subject.

Here are some courses you might consider taking wherever your main pathway gives you the option:

PSYC& 100 General psychology (5 credits) SS
EDUC& 202 Intro to education (5 credits) SS
ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology (5 credits) SS
CMST 225 Intercultural communication (5 credits) H or SS
PE 181 Health and wellness (5 credits) LE
PSYC 210 Child development (5 credits) SS
CTWOC 201 Compass to campus youth mentoring (3 credits) UE
EDUC 190 Education internship (1-5 credits) LE