Admissions | Added Elementary

The Added Elementary Endorsement, Graduate Certificate, allows licensed teachers to add (to develop) expertise to teach in K-5 grade levels. This program is rooted in equitable and culturally responsive practices to prepare educators to work with a diverse student body in the elementary setting(s). We prepare teachers who can meet the needs of all their students, are experts in multiple K-5 content areas and methodologies, and use new technologies to innovate in their classrooms.

Admissions Timeline
Start Term	Summer	Fall	Winter	Spring
Final Application Deadline	May 15	August 15	November 15	February 15
Final Application Materials Due*	May 29	August 29	November 29	February 28

Additional Timeline Information:

*Recommendations can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

After submission, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We make every effort to communicate admissions decisions within three to four weeks after application submission.

For optimal program completion, it is recommended (but not required) that you apply for and start the program in the summer or fall terms, with the practicum taken at the end of the program (typically during a final spring term).

Applications are reviewed as they are submitted.

Admissions Requirements

Have a complete BA or BS degree from an accredited institution
GPA: 3.0 cumulative undergraduate, 3.0 on all upper-division courses, or 3.0 cumulative graduate courses (a minimum of 12 credits)
Hold a current, non-provisional Oregon teaching license*
Minimum of one year full time teaching experience

*If you hold a provisional license, contact an admissions advisor at askcoe@pdx.edu to discuss whether this program is appropriate for your needs

Prior to program completion and licensure recommendation, a passing score from the NES Elementary Education Subtests I & II is required.

Required application materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit.
Official Transcripts: After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to the Graduate School.
English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
Résumé outlining your work and volunteer experience with youth in an educational setting, community engagement, and equity work. Please include experiences at elementary schools, counseling, or other relevant positions.
Statement of Purpose: Please answer the following questions in no more than 250 words each. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program.
- Students successful in LEEP/Elementary Education are open to learning, responsible (i.e., they take ownership over their learning), caring, student-centered, collaborative, curious about—and committed to—equity. Please provide examples of your experience with youth that demonstrate how you meet these dispositional requirements.
- What have you learned about youth, families, and communities from your experiences working with youth in and out of schools? How will your learning inform your approach to teaching?
- What strengths do you have that you think will help you be a successful teacher? How will those strengths help you?
- What is a teacher’s role in relation to diversity and social justice?
Recommendations: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms. *It will strengthen your application if you are currently working in an elementary school and can provide a recommendation from someone in your place of employment.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with youth. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.
Experience with children and/or youth: Experience working directly with youth before you begin our program ensures that we feel confident about your future success as an elementary teacher.
Resume: We use your résumé to confirm your teaching credentials, educational background, and assess for relevant experience and years of service.
Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose will be evaluated based on its content, your responses to the prompt questions, and your writing style and proficiency.

Ready to apply?

Review PSU Graduate School minimum admissions requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application"
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select "Added Elementary Endorsement, Graduate Certificate"
Select the term you plan to start the program

Questions? Contact Tatiana!

Post-Admissions

You will be notified of your admission decision to the program via an email and formal digital letter from the Graduate School. After admission, you will be assigned a faculty advisor and staff student success advisor, both of whom will support you through your program. The college provides an online orientation module to help you take your next steps to begin your program. You will also be invited to a live orientation session to ensure that you’re fully prepared to begin.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

All students must submit their official transcripts to the Graduate School after admission.
If you’re still completing a bachelor’s degree, you must apply for your degree, and it must be awarded by the term before you begin your graduate program. (Ex: if the program begins summer, the degree must be awarded by the end of spring term).
You must register for coursework in the term that you are admitted in order to validate admission to the program. If you do not, your admission status will be canceled.
If you’re unable to begin in your term of admission, you may request a deferral by emailing askcoe@pdx.edu for up to 4 terms (one year). This request must be made before the start of the program.