Centralia College to Offer Bachelor's Degree in Teacher Education in Fall 2017

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Starting in fall 2017, Centralia College will offer a new bachelor’s degree program.

The college received its official notice on Tuesday from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities that approved the addition of a bachelor of applied science in teacher education, according to a press release from the college.

Course offerings will be shared between Grays Harbor College via live video connection.

The first cohort will be accepted in fall 2017. The plan is to allow future cohorts every other year, but ultimately that will be decided based on student interest, according to the release.

“Centralia College has a 90-year history of listening to the community and building programs that meet the needs of real people,” Bob Mohrbacher, Centralia College president, said in the release. “All of our bachelor’s degrees are affordable, flexible and local because those are the values of our students. The bachelor’s degree in teacher education is just the latest in a long line of programs designed for our unique community.”

The college will offer certification in both elementary education (kindergarten through eighth grade) and special education. Other certification areas may be added as the program moves forward, stated the release.



Cristi Heitschmidt, dean of Child and Family Studies, said the college has been working with local school districts for several years to make the bachelor’s degree a reality.

“We both see this as an opportunity to develop local teachers and help students earn a teaching certificate and find positions in the area,” she said in the release. “It is also a pathway for para-professionals currently working in classrooms to obtain their bachelor’s degree and become certified teachers.”

Those interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in teacher education are encouraged to meet with Heitschmidt to review prerequisites and prepare to begin the program next fall.

Details are still pending, but students will be able to apply for the program starting in February.

Classes would begin in September 2017.

For more information, call (360) 736-9391, ext. 654.