Undergraduate Policies & Petitions

All students should refer to University of Washington Bothell policies on undergraduate grading, student education records, and academic standards.

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SES Policies

Add Code Policy & Form

Add Code Request Form

Students seeking add codes to B EDUC courses must submit a request via the form linked above and seek course instructor approval to register for the course. Students must complete the form and provide course information as well as documentation (screenshot, copy of email) of course instructor approval. Requests without instructor approval will not be considered. Students can expect a decision in 1-2 business days.


Course Repeat Policy

Course Repeat Request Form

SES students are permitted to register for SES courses three times.

Students can register for SES courses twice without advisor assistance. If a student needs to register for an SES course for a third time, the student must meet with advisor to co-develop a plan and complete the SES Course Repeat Form.


Teacher Certification Methods Course Repeat Policy

Elementary Education Option and Elementary Education Post-Baccalaureate policies and teacher certification requirements can be found in the Elementary Education Cohort Canvas Hub.

Students at the University of Washington Bothell in the School of Educational Studies teacher certification program are required to take a series of courses to earn a teaching certificate. Faculty in the School continuously revise and update course syllabi to reflect current research about teaching and learning. Additionally, teacher certification programs are subject to changes in state and national regulations that shape course experiences and certification requirements.

If a student needs to take a leave of absence and is in good standing with the program (cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher in all UW coursework), the program will issue a leave of absence memo that indicates the student may return to the program within two years of the last completed methods course(s) and resume their course of study, beginning at their point of departure. A student returning to the program within two years will have the program coursework previously successfully completed apply toward their course of study, and will still be subject to any additional courses, modifications, or certification requirements in state or national regulations.

If a student extends their leave of absence beyond two years, the following restrictions on their return to the program will apply:

  • If extending a leave of absence beyond two years, the student will be required to retake content area methodology coursework.
  • If extending a leave of absence beyond two years, the student will still be subject to any additional courses, modifications, or certification requirements in state or national regulations.
  • If a student graduates having not completed the Elementary Education Option’s coursework and requirements, they have the opportunity to apply to the Elementary Education Post-Baccalaureate.

Students who plan to return to the program must indicate their return at least one quarter in advance (e.g. if a student plans to return for Spring quarter, they must notify the School in Week 1 of Winter quarter). Students returning in Autumn Quarter must notify the School of Educational Studies by Week 1 of the preceding Spring Quarter.


Graduation Application

Post-Baccalaureate teacher certification students do not need to submit a graduation application.

Undergraduate students must meet with their advisor to submit an online application to graduate and receive their diploma. At your Graduation Application appointment, you and your advisor will:

  • Confirm your intended graduation quarter
  • Review remaining UW and SES major requirements
  • Review policies for graduating seniors

Students are responsible for completing remaining UW and SES requirements after submitting their Graduation Application. Degrees are awarded after all UW and SES requirements are complete and a student’s Graduation Application is on file with the Office of the Registrar.

When to Submit Graduation Application

Students should submit their Graduation Application three (3) quarters before their anticipated graduation. Students who submit their application in advance may be eligible for Graduating Senior Priority registration. The final deadline for submitting the graduation application is the third Friday of the quarter in which the student intends to graduate.

Graduation QuarterApplication Submission
Autumn Quarter (December)Prior Winter Quarter
Winter Quarter (March)Prior Spring Quarter
Spring Quarter (June)Prior Summer Quarter
Summer Quarter (August)*AND attend CommencementPrior Autumn Quarter*No later than 3rd Friday in Spring Quarter 

Independent Study Policy & Form

Independent Study Proposal Form

An independent study provides Educational Studies majors, Elementary Education Option students, or SES minors with opportunities to broaden and deepen their knowledge of academic subject matter through creative, self-directed projects as guided by SES faculty.

An independent study may be taken for 1- 5 credits, based on this formula:

  • 30 hours of work = 1 credit
  • 60 hours of work = 2 credits
  • 90 hours of work = 3 credits
  • 120 hours of work = 4 credits
  • 150 hours of work = 5 credits

Proposal Process

Students are encouraged to work with SES faculty to create a proposal that takes into consideration the breadth and depth of the chosen topic as well as a realistic expectation of hours for accomplishing the study. Students should carefully consider the development of the proposal because the completed study will be evaluated according to the evidence of learning strategies and goals listed in the learning contract.

Students must speak with their chosen faculty member to determine whether they are available and willing to sponsor their independent study the subsequent quarter. A conversation about the topic of study and possible resources may occur before a specific learning contract is developed. During the quarter when the study is conducted, students should be ready to commence the agreed upon work.


Petitions

SES Course Petition

SES Course Petition Form

  • Course Petitions are sent to Educational Studies faculty for consideration on the 15th of each month. Decisions will be sent to students by the 1st of the following month.
  • Students can petition up to 10 credits of SES coursework.

Petitions include:

  • Educational Studies major:
    • Enroll in course not listed on the Educational Studies or Other Department Electives lists
    • Enroll in course over 10-credit maximum from other concentration
    • Request that more than 90 transfer credits be applied to the UW Bothell degree
    • Request that a transfer course count for an Educational Studies or Other Department Elective
    • Core Course exemption or substitution
  • Elementary Education Option:
    • Request that a transfer course count for a Foundations Course (B EDUC 340, 402, 403, 423, 438, 441)
    • Request that a transfer course count for a Teaching Methods Course (B EDUC 408, 410, 409, 418, 419, 421, 439)
    • Request that a transfer course count for an ESOL or SPED endorsement course
    • Request that more than 90 transfer credits be applied to your UW Bothell degree
    • Core Course exemption or substitution
  • Elementary Education Teacher Certification Post-Baccalaureate
    • Foundations Course exemption (B EDUC 402, 403, 423, 438, 441)
    • Teaching Methods Course exemption (B EDUC 408, 410, 409, 418, 419, 421)
  • SES Minors:
    • Course substitution or exemption
    • Request that a transfer course count for a minor elective

NES & WEST-E Petition

Students who take, but do not pass the NES or WEST-E are eligible to submit an NES & WEST-E Petition, also called Case-By-Case, to request an alternative assessment of their Elementary Education, ESOL, or Special Education content knowledge. The NES & WEST-E Petition allows SES to review teacher candidates’ content knowledge using multiple forms of evidence.

Petition Timelines

NES Petitions are reviewed by SES faculty in Winter Quarter, with decisions sent to students in mid-March. A second round of petition reviews, for both NES and WEST-E tests, occurs at the end of Spring Quarter, with decisions sent to students in mid-July.

SES alumni and returning students may submit an NES & WEST-E Petition and should plan to follow the petition timeline outlined above. Please contact uwbses@uw.edu to be sent the petition form.