teacher standing in front of classroom where children are raising their hands

The BAS-T program builds off the strong foundation of a professional/technical associate in applied science (AAS-T) degree in Early Childhood Education.

Effective September 1, 2024 Pierce College's BAS-Teaching program will no longer be accepting applications for the 2024 - 2026 fall cohort. Please return on February 1, 2025 when applications for the 2025 - 2027 cohort(s) will become available. Contact BAS-Teaching staff at Teaching@pierce.ctc.edu with any questions.

Steps to Apply

As you prepare to apply, we encourage you to use the following step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Apply to Pierce College

If you are not yet a Pierce College student, apply to Pierce College. Be sure to choose the correct starting quarter for the cohort you wish to apply to (summer quarter for the part-time cohort and fall quarter for the full-time cohort).

Step 2: Fulfill the Basic Skills Exam Requirement

Determine how you will fulfill the basic skills exam requirement. All students applying to Washington teacher preparation programs must submit score reports showing completion of a basic skills exam that includes reading, mathematics, and writing. Most students take the WEST-B (or Washington Educator Skills Test Basic) exam or submit previous scores from the SAT or ACT exam.

  • The exam (WEST-B, SAT, or ACT) must be scheduled, if not complete, at the time the BAS-T application is submitted and must be completed before the candidate will begin the program. The online application allows students to list their anticipated test date to move forward with the application.
  • Individuals who have completed the SAT or ACT but do not have access to their score report must request their score reports through CollegeBoard (SAT) or ACT Education Corp (ACT). Pierce College’s SAT school code is 4103 and Pierce College’s ACT school code is 4469.
  • Limited WEST-B vouchers are available for students in need of financial assistance to pay WEST-B testing and registration fees. Vouchers are only available to students applying to or currently enrolled in Pierce College’s Bachelors of Applied Science in Teaching program. Please reach out to teaching@pierce.ctc.edu for details.

Step 3: Collect Your Transcripts

Collect unofficial transcripts for each institution you have attended, including Pierce College, to upload with your online application.

  • Pierce College unofficial transcripts can be retrieved by the student through ctcLink. To do so, log into ctcLink and access the Academic Records tab from the Student Homepage.
  • Once admitted to the program, students must submit official transcripts from all institutions (excluding Pierce College) to Pierce College's Evaluations Office prior to program start.

Step 4: Gather Your References

Identify three (3) professional and/or academic references that can be contacted by Pierce College Education Programs staff to discuss your candidacy for the program. In the online application, we ask that the references' contact information be provided. Pierce College staff will use this information to contact your references with a link to a brief, online survey.

  • Two (2) of the three (3) references should be from current supervisors or others who have formally evaluated your work. We recommend prioritizing references who may have evaluated or observed your work with young children.

Step 5: Prepare Application Documents

Prepare the following documents to upload with your online application:

Step 6: Apply to the BAS-T Program

Enter the BAS-T Application and use the information/materials collected above to submit your application!

Recommended: Financial Aid and Funding

Begin to prepare your funding by submitting a financial aid application. You can submit either the FAFSA or the WASFA depending on whether you qualify for federal and state aid (FAFSA) or state aid only (WASFA). We also recommend exploring scholarships and grants through programs such as Washington Scholarships for Child Care Professionals and Washboard.