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Overview
Pursuing a Secondary Education degree from CWI will give you the opportunity to choose from a number of distinct focus areas that can prepare you for a variety of careers and advanced degrees. With associate degrees offered in Secondary Education – Social Science or Secondary Education STEM, you can focus your studies in an area of the discipline that interests you.
CWI is excited to help future secondary teachers prepare for teacher certification in the state of Idaho by providing the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. We work closely with our local four-year partners and offer an Associate Degree that can be customized to match the requirements of the Secondary Education Certification that best meets your educational needs. Course work in the Teacher Education Program includes foundations in education, social systems and diversity, exceptionality in the schools, and educational technology. Throughout the program students have the opportunity to observe teachers in local middle, junior high, and high schools to see firsthand the skills, knowledge, and attitudes taught in the coursework. The program concludes with a capstone class that aids students in building an evidence-based e-portfolio that highlights their work and helps prepare them for admission into a four-year college or university.
Mission
The mission of the Teacher Education Program at the College of Western Idaho is to provide foundational skills and knowledge of the teaching and learning environment. Our aim is to provide opportunities for traditional students, first generation and underrepresented populations to be prepared for a Teacher Education Program at a four-year college or university. This is accomplished through active learning in the classroom, and online, as well as through observations and teaching opportunities in the local K-12 schools.
Why This Program
Are you interested in teaching Biology, Chemistry, Math, Geology, or Physics? Courses in this program are designed to prepare students for teacher certification in the state of Idaho. Curriculum emphasizes foundations in education, social systems and diversity, exceptionality in the schools, and education technology. Students have the opportunity to observe teachers in schools across the Treasure Valley to see firsthand the skills, knowledge, and attitudes taught in the coursework. Completion of the program is designed to result in an Associate of Science degree in Secondary Education and meet the general education requirements of all Idaho public universities.
Additional Opportunities
- Collaborate with Teacher Education Ambassadors at Boise State University
- Internships
- Work Study
- Community Service
- Symposiums
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Secondary Education - Social Science - Associate of Arts Degree
2
YEARSAA
Secondary Education - STEM - Associate of Science Degree
2
YEARSAS
Explore the resources below for information, dates, and deadlines related to admissions, financial aid, registration, and next steps.
Dates & Deadlines for Credit Programs | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins 1 | N/A | Apr 10 | Nov 13 (2023) |
Open Registration Begins | Feb 27 | Apr 17 | Nov 20 (2023) |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | Jul 29 | Dec 16 (2023) |
Admission Deadline 2 | May 27 | Aug 12 | Jan 6 |
Last Day to Register for Classes | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Tuition and Fees Due | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Classes Begin 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 21 | Jan 16 |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time.
2 The Admission Deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines.
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the specific class session sections beneath the full Academic Calendar for more information.
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Many of the Education courses require ENGL 101
- Students with minimal computer skills should take ITAM 101 before taking EDUC 150 or 250
- Certain dispositions are more likely to be successful in teaching fields. Five effective dispositions include: Empathy, Positive View of Others, Positive View of Self, Authenticity, Meaningful Purpose and Vision
- Submit and pass a background check prior to working with or observing children
- Prepare for and take the PRAXIS I exam 6 weeks prior to applying to transfer education programs
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Faculty in the Teacher Education Program work closely with the following four-year schools to assist students with transfer:
- Boise State University
- Lewis and Clark State College
- University of Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Northwest Nazarene University
- College of Idaho
- BYU – Idaho
- Western Governors University
- University of Phoenix
- College of Southern Idaho
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Teacher
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Special Education Teacher
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Teacher Assistants
- Grades 6-12 Health Specialty Teachers
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Music Specialty Teachers
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Computer Science Specialty Teachers
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Grades 6-12 Secondary English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL) Instructor
- Grades 6-12 Secondary Literacy Specialist
- Instructional Coordinators
- Educational, Guidance, School and Vocational Counselors
- Parent Teachers
- Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
Most of the openings in education will result from workers and educators retiring. In the future there may not be enough teachers graduating from college to fill the job openings. Positions in math, science, bilingual, and special education will continue to be difficult to fill. However, many state governments and local school districts are facing budget problems. As a result, schools are cutting support services and some educational programs. If these financial problems continue, more schools will combine and more programs will be cut. As a result employment may grow more slowly.
Taken from Idaho Career Information System https://idcis.intocareers.org/info2.aspx?FileID=Occ&FileNum=110500&TopicNum=6
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Congratulations to Jessica Leath, College of Western Idaho’s Student Achievement Award recipient.

Help families in need by donating unused school supplies for the City Light Home for Women and Children in Boise.

Scott Straub has been named College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for September 2018.

School supply drive benefits families in the Treasure Valley, donating nearly 300 items.
Academic Transfer
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- Anthropology
- Biology
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- Business
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