BAS-Teacher Education
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BAST) provides students an education, beyond the associate level, which is tailored to their community. The BAST degree is the next educational stepping-stone for many students who wish to pursue advanced degrees. The BAST degree provides quality teachers for a five county area: Lewis, Thurston, Pacific, Mason, and Grays Harbor counties.
The BAST program is designed to enable applicants with an AAS-ECE or an AA-DTA to combine their lower-division coursework with upper-division credits in education. This degree is designed with academic rigor enabling graduates to apply directly to Master level programs throughout the state. Students may qualify for one of the four (4) alternative routes for teacher certification.
Classes are offered in the late afternoon at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington, with a two-year track. The core course sequence is taught fall, winter, and spring quarters. The afternoon program was developed to meet the employment needs of those currently working in the classroom without a teacher credential. Instruction occurs in a variety of modalities, including in person on the GHC Aberdeen Campus.
This program prepares teachers to construct and facilitate culturally responsive learning experiences that simultaneously develop English language proficiencies and discipline-specific knowledge and advocate for English Language Learners (ELL) within the local school and community. The ELL endorsement prepares candidates to be effective teachers and to provide the required content and develop the skills needed to navigate a diverse learning environment with respect and confidence.
The BAST curriculum includes core courses in theory as well as practical teaching. This curriculum has been approved by the Washington State Professional Educators Standards Board, and is listed by OSPI as a state-approved teacher preparation program.
The BAST program is made up of three components:
- Specific lower division (100-200) credit requirements to meet the K-8 endorsement standards: what to teach.
- Upper division credits (300-400) to fulfill the program requirements: how to teach
- Field experience: practicing teaching
Practical experience is a critical feature, students will complete both brief practicum and a student teaching sequence locally, to ensure they are ready to walk into the classroom and start teaching. These experiences are designed by local instructors and administrators to ensure readiness.
Expected Proficiency
Although not an admission requirement, baccalaureate students are expected to have general computing abilities that include: navigating online, proficiency in word processing, spread sheets and presentation software.
BAST Program Application Requirements
Admission to the BAST program is merit based. Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admissions, as the number of qualified applicants may exceed the number of enrollment spaces. Admission applications open in winter quarter of each year for entrance the following fall.
In order to be placed into the admissions pool, applicants must complete and submit all the following requirements:
- Completed BAST program application ($25 fee)
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Three (3) current letters of recommendation
- Transcripts from all college level coursework
- Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) clearance ($12 fee)
Prerequisites
To be accepted into the BAST program, students must complete the following (or be on track to complete them prior to starting core courses in the fall):
- 2.7 GPA in all required college level coursework.
- An earned Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or an Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (or be on track to complete the degree before the BAST program begins).
- ENGL& 101 , English Composition
- ENGL& 102 , English Composition II
or ENGL& 235 , Technical Writing
- MATH& 131 and MATH& 132 , Math for Elementary Education I and II or any college level math course with Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite
- ECED& 180 , Language and Literacy Development
- EDUC 201 and EDUC 202 or 1-year full-time experience in a structured educational K-8 setting (must apply for Prior Learning Credit).
The courses identified below are required to be completed prior to the end of the first year of the BAST program. These courses may be completed as part of the AAS-ECE or AA-DTA degree:
- ENGL 233 , Children’s Literature (Satisfies Humanities Area D)
- HIST& 219 , Native American History (Satisfies Social Science Area A)
AA Distribution Requirements:
Below are the distribution area requirements for the AA degree.
Humanities
A total of 15 credits is required in humanities. One course from three different areas, labeled A through G, with a maximum of five credits in performance courses.
Social Science
A total of 15 credits is required in social science. One course from three different areas, labeled A through D is required.
Natural Science
A total of 15 credits is required in natural science. One course from three different areas, labled A through F is required. At least one course with a laboratory must be taken.
Specified Electives
At least 20 credits must be chosen either from the specified electives, identified in the general catalog, available on the GHC website, or the Distribution List of Approved Courses.
General Electives
An additional 10 credits of general electives may be chosen from any college-level courses numbered 100 or higher. Although not all courses transfer independently, they may be acceptable as part of GHC’s transfer arrangements with four-year institutions.
General electives may constitute no more than 10 credits of any degree. No more than 3 PE credits may count as general electives. ECED and EDUC classes may count as general electives.
NOTE: Successful completion of SPAN& 123 - Spanish III or the ability to demonstrate comparable equivalence by a GHC exam is strongly recommended given the demographics in our area school districts. All other factors being equal, preference will be given to applicants who meet this qualification.
Early Childhood Education Degree Completers
Students who have earned an AAS in Early Childhood Education must complete all program entry requirements and program acceptance requirements with the exception of:
- ECED&180, Language and Literacy Development
- EDUC 201 and EDUC 202
NOTE: These classes may be used as general electives.
ELL Endorsement Option
Students who hold a current teacher’s certificate in the State of Washington, can obtain their ELL endorsement by successful completion of:
- Fulfill all the BAST program application requirements
- BAST 345 , ELA Methods
- BAST 355 , Reading Methods
- BAST 370 , Language and Culture
- BAST 371 , Advanced Language and Literacy
- ECED& 180 , Language and Literacy Development
BAST Program Alternatives
Grays Harbor College is approved to offer alternative routes 1-4 to teacher certification. All routes must meet the program application requirements. Students are urged to also take ECED 235 Educating Young Children in a Diverse Society as an elective. Below are additional details for each route.
Route 1: is designed for district staff paraeducators with an associate degree with a current paraeducator certification.
- Verification of paraeducator status
Route 2: is designed for district staff with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Minimum of 30 hours observation in K-8 classroom or EDUC 202
- Verification of employment status and level
Route 3: is designed for “career changers” with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Minimum of 30 hours observation in K-8 classroom or EDUC 202
Route 4: is designed for district staff with a bachelor’s degree or higher and a limited certificate in Washington State.
- Minimum of 30 hours observation in K-8 classroom or EDUC 202
- Verification of limited certification
NATIVE AMERICAN PATHWAY TO AA DEGREE AND TO APPLY TO BAST PROGRAM: 90 credits required
The college has worked closely with the Tribal partners and the Native American Pathways Director to develop a plan for Native Americans who are pursuing their AA degree and have a desire to enter the BAST program. The bold classes are required for the BAST program.
Course# Course Title Credits
Basic Course Requirements (15 Credits)
ENGL& 101 English Composition l 5
ENGL& 102 English Compostion ll 5
MATH& 107 Math and Society 5
Social Science Requirements (15 Credits)
ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology 5
POLS& 202 American Government 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5
Humanities Requirements (15 Credits)
ART& 100 Art Appreciation 5
ENGL 223 Children’s Literature* 5
CMST& 220 Public Speaking 5
Science Requirements (15 Credits)
ASTRO& 100 Astronomy 5
BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology with lab 5
EARTH&102 Earth Science 5
Elective Requirements (30 Credits)
ANTH& 210 Indians of North America 5
(replaces HIST&219)*
ANTH& 216 Pacific NW Coast Peoples 5
ECED& 180 Language/Literacy DEV 3
EDUC 201 Intro to Education 5
EDUC 202 Education Practicum 3
FYI 101 Freshman Orientation 1
FYI 102 Freshman Student Success 2
HPF& 101 Health and Wellness 3
LIB&101 Intro to Info Resources 3
* These courses may be completed as part of the AAS-ECE or AA-DTA degree. They must be completed prior to the end of the first year ot the BAST program.
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