Certification Overview

South’s program is designed to give individuals independence in the program through classes arranged with the working professional in mind as well as online classes that offer greater flexibility. Our classes are also ongoing to meet the needs of prospective teachers who decide to start the program mid-year.

What Is CTE?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a planned program of courses and learning experiences that begins with exploration of career options, supports basic academic and life skills, and enables achievement of high academic standards, leadership, preparation for industry-defined work, and advanced and continuing education.

What is a CTE Certification?

In Washington State, CTE teachers wanting to teach Career and Technical Education classes in high schools are required to hold a CTE Teaching Certificate. There are two routes to CTE certification:

South Seattle College provides the Business & Industry Route enabling a teacher candidate with extensive professional experience (documentation of 6,000 hours of paid occupational experience in a specialty or sub-category (V code) area is required) and completion of this CTE Teacher Certification Preparation Program to teach high school Career and Technical Education classes.

Our program is based on the requirements in the Washington Administrative Code WAC 181-77-041. You can read the full requirements at the State of Washington Web site or learn more about the process at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction website.

For details on the course of study see the Understanding the Certification Process Chart.