Education Transfer
Chemeketa Community College offers a number of opportunities for you to explore a career in teaching. Chemeketa is well-known for its programs preparing paraeducators and early childhood educators, but it’s also a great place to begin if your desire is to transfer to university to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and earn a teaching license.
Oregon’s public and private universities have a variety of programs available to help you accomplish this objective. These include both undergraduate and graduate pathways, as well as full time and part time options. Not all universities offer programs for all teaching specialties, so it is important to research your transfer options as you plan your coursework. Regardless of the university program you select, Chemeketa can help you develop an efficient transfer plan as well as the content knowledge you need to be an effective educator. We can also help you connect with university advisors to ensure a smooth transfer experience.
Nearby universities offering education programs include Western Oregon University, Portland State University, Oregon State University, George Fox University, Willamette University and Corban College. Each of these institutions has very specific course requirements to make the transfer process go smoothly, so please be in touch with one of the education advisors listed below very early in your time at Chemeketa.
Western Oregon University, for example, recommends that Elementary and Middle School Education majors attending Chemeketa pursue an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree that includes specific courses required of education majors at Western. You may obtain an advising guide by consulting one of the education advisors below.
Our advisors can tell you about Chemeketa courses targeting education majors. For example, Math 211, 212 and 213 (“Foundations of Elementary Mathematics”) are required of transfer students who plan to teach in elementary or middle schools. Additionally, Math 111 is required for middle school teachers as well as for high school teachers specializing in the areas of math or science. Students interested in possible teaching careers in mathematics may wish to discuss program options with the mathematics faculty members listed below. Note that Oregon is experiencing a severe shortage of mathematics teachers, especially in advanced math at the high school level.
Math contacts:
| Phyllis Leonard | 503.399.6067 | leop@chemeketa.edu |
| Lorna TenEyck | 503.399.6097 | lteneyck@chemeketa.edu |
| Ken Anderson | 503.399.6086 | ken@chemeketa.edu |
All teacher preparation programs require a good background in the sciences. Prospective elementary teachers often find that Biology 101 is required as well as selected general science courses such as General Science 104, 105 or 106. Oregon is currently experiencing a shortage of middle and high school science teachers, especially in the physical sciences. If science is your passion you should talk with one of the instructors below about a teaching career in this area.
Science contacts:
| Chris Nelson (Chemistry) | 503.399.6510 | cnelso63@chemeketa.edu |
| Erik Jensen (Physics) | 503.589.7838 | ejensen6@chemeketa.edu |
| Cynthia Villwock (Chemistry) | 503.365.4680 | cvillwoc@chemeketa.edu |
| Doug Ure (Biology) | 503.399.6511 | ured@chemeketa.edu |
| Jennifer Schramm (Biology) | 503.365.4681 | jschramm@chemeketa.edu |
In addition to math and science, Oregon also has teacher shortages in the following areas:
- Special Education
- Bilingual Education (all levels)
- English as a Second Language
Consult an education advisor if you have an interest in these specialties.
If you are an experienced professional and want to share your knowledge by teaching at the high school level, Chemeketa’s Career and Technical Teacher Preparation Program can give you the skills you need. After about one year in the program, you could be eligible to apply through a school district for a special non-renewable career and technical teaching license. Students who complete the two-year Associate of Applied Science degree and have one year of successful teaching experience are eligible to apply through a school district for a 5-year renewable career and technical teaching license.
To be accepted into this program, you will need to verify 4,000 hours of work experience in one of the following fields:
- Agricultural Science and Technology
- Communications/Journalism
- Computer Technology
- Design and Applied Arts
- Engineering Technology
- Family/Consumer Services
- Financial Services
- Forestry/Natural Resources
- Health Sciences
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Integrated Environmental Technology
- Marketing/Management
- Mechanical Systems
- Manufacturing Technology (metals)
Advising Resources
As you can see, there are many exciting opportunities for those who dream of a career in education. To find out more, contact Counseling and Career Services (503.399.5120) or any of the advising contacts below.
Education advisors in Counseling and Career Services:
| Karen Stevens | 503.399.6561 | stek@chemeketa.edu |
| Kimberly Martin | 503.399.6546 | kmarti11@chemeketa.edu |
Education Program Faculty:
| Dorothy Moore | 503.399.2693 | dmoore82@chemeketa.edu |
| Malia Stevens | 503.399.2694 | malia@chemeketa.edu |
Updated October 2008 by the College Advancement Department.