About Professional Certificate Policies
Professional Certificates are comprised of courses that are not part of the regular curriculum. These programs may be offered in partnership through outside agencies and may have different and/or additional application, enrollment, participation, and registration requirements.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Continuing Education Units are units awarded by The Evergreen State College to students who successfully complete course work in their program. These units are not applicable towards a degree and are awarded as “Pass/Fail.”
For each CEU, students are required to participate in 10 hours of instruction either synchronously or asynchronously. Students must also satisfactorily meet minimum standards for completing additional out-of-class assignments such as reading and project work as outlined in course syllabi.
Costs and Fees
Cost for each certificate is dependent on the number of credits and any relevant organizational partnerships. Review the page for the certificate you are interested in and visit the Professional and Continuing Education Cost and Aid page for current rates.
Receiving a Professional Certificate
Students who successfully complete all requirements for their program will receive a Professional Certificate from The Evergreen State College. A Professional Certificate is a sequence of professional and continuing education and/or workforce development learning experiences that are distinct from the regular curriculum.
Reading Endorsement Policies
Eligibility
Requirements for certificate eligibility
Eligibility Requirements
This is an add-on endorsement program for current K-12 educators. To be eligible for this program students must have a valid Washington State teaching certificate and be employed as a teacher in a Washington State school district during the 2023-24 academic year. Students must also have the consent of their building principal or district administration to complete the video practicum in their classroom. Students must submit the Field Experience Site Agreement Form as evidence of their building/district support during the application process.
Students who are currently enrolled in degree program or academic certificate program at Evergreen cannot concurrently enroll in the Reading Endorsement program.
Registration and Fees
Registration dates, fee schedules, and refund policy
Registration Dates
Students will be registered for courses after receiving confirmation of acceptance to the Reading Endorsement program. Directions for paying course fees will be provided via email with the acceptance letter.
After the first quarter, students will be automatically enrolled in the following quarter unless:
- The student provides written notice of withdrawal.
- The student does not successfully pass the course
- The student has not paid the registration fees
Each term after a student is registered for courses, fees will be charged to the student’s Evergreen account.
Fee Schedule
Fees are due two Fridays before the start of each quarter. If a student has not paid their fees, they will not be able to begin coursework.
Academic Year 2024 - 2025
- Summer Quarter: June 28, 2024
- Fall Quarter: September 20, 2024
- Winter Quarter: December 27, 2024
- Spring Quarter: March 28, 2025
Cancellation
Programs with insufficient enrollment will be cancelled for the quarter. Evergreen will decide if the Reading Endorsement program will be canceled two weeks before the start of classes. If the program is to be canceled, all approved applicants will be notified and issued refunds for any fees paid.
Academic Year 2024 - 2025
| Quarter | Cancellation Decision | Applicant Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | June 25, 2024 | June 28, 2024 |
Student Withdrawals and Refunds
To receive a 100% refund the student must withdraw by providing written notification to Evergreen no later than 2 weeks before the start of classes. Students will receive a refund of 50% of class fees if they cancel before Friday of the first week of class. After class begins a student may withdraw from the program, but no refunds will be given.
Students who withdraw may reapply to the Reading Endorsement program in a subsequent year. Any CEUs previously earned will be evaluated for applicability to program requirements at the time of reapplication.
What You Earn
Clock hours, endorsement, and certificate
Clock Hours
According to WAC 181-85-030, CEUs earned at accredited institution of higher education can be accepted towards a teacher’s continuing education (clock hour) requirement. Students should contact The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Certification Office at cert@k12.wa.us or (360) 725-6400 if they have questions.
Students will be able to request a transcript from The Evergreen College which will document all CEUs earned at the college.
Professional Certificate
Students who successfully complete all requirements for this program will receive a Professional Certificate from The Evergreen State College. A Professional Certificate is a sequence of professional and continuing education and/or workforce development learning experiences that are distinct from the regular curriculum.
A professional certificate from Evergreen is not the same as a Washington State Teaching Certificate and is not recognized by The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Typically, learners will receive their certificate 3-6 weeks after posting of the final quarter of the certificate. Learners will receive an email from Parchment, the college’s contracted transcript vendor, letting them know how to access a digital copy of their certificate and how to track their physical copy in the mail.
Reading Endorsement
Students will be eligible to be recommended to The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for the Washington State Reading Endorsement after completion of the required courses and receiving a passing score on required tests.
Required Testing
NES testing and scores
To receive the Reading Endorsement, educators must complete the required courses and receive a passing score on the National Evaluation Series (NES) Essential Components of Elementary Reading Instruction Exam. Students register for the NES exam online through Pearson. Please select Evergreen to receive your scores electronically.
A passing score on this exam is 220. Upon receiving notification of a passing score, Evergreen will recommend successful candidates to OSPI for the endorsement. To learn more about adding endorsements to a teaching certificate, visit OSPI’s website.