RICHLAND, Wash. – In response to a growing need for mental health providers in the Mid-Columbia region and across the state, Washington State University Tri-Cities' Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program will welcome its first cohort of undergraduate students in fall 2025.
Backed by $1.6 million per biennium from the Washington state legislature, the program's development marks WSU Tri-Cities' initial steps toward establishing both undergraduate and graduate social work programs. This initiative aims to address critical shortages of trained social work professionals, particularly in rural areas, with an ultimate goal of increasing the number of healthcare professionals who can represent and advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds.
“Evidence shows that communities, families and individuals in need of support and services trust and utilize services recommended or provided by health professionals representative of their culture and backgrounds,” said Daniel Cavanaugh, director of the bachelor’s of social work program at WSU Tri-Cities. “Therefore, a program that draws from students in Tri-Cities, the Yakima valley, and the Mid-Columbia region could greatly enrich the services available in eastern Washington.”
The undergraduate program will equip students with foundational skills in social work practice settings and prepare them for advanced study, including Master of Social Work degree programs that lead to clinical, macro, or specialized careers. Graduates will be positioned for roles in social service offices, educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and healthcare facilities.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that social work will grow "faster than average," with an estimated 67,300 additional jobs needed annually nationwide over the next decade to meet increased behavioral health and social service demands.
Housed within the WSU College of Nursing, students will enter the program in their junior year, joining a dedicated cohort that will complete the program together. Part of the program’s signature pedagogy includes a 400-hour field placement in the students' final year, giving them hands-on experience in generalist social work roles in the community.
“The addition of a social work program will not only meet a critical community need but will further our campus goal of supporting students’ academic and personal success in their pursuit of health and social sciences degrees,” said Kate McAteer, vice chancellor of academic and student affairs.
With applications opening in March, prospective students must complete their first two years of undergraduate study, fulfill the social work program prerequisite courses, and submit additional materials including transcripts and a personal essay. Admission also requires a signed attestation to the National Association of Social Workers’ Ethical Practice standards.
For more information about the program and application requirements, visit the program’s website.
RICHLAND, WA – A unique partnership between the Washington State University Tri-Cities College of Education and two elementary schools in Pasco will give student teachers exposure to more classrooms and teaching styles during their practicum. Maya Angelou Elementary and Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary were each designated as a “WSU Tri-Cities College of Education Teaching Laboratory School” during separate ceremonies on Monday, Nov. 4.
Teaching Laboratory Schools provide a rich and meaningful early practicum experience for teacher candidates. Unlike traditional practicums that place student teachers in one classroom, WSU Tri-Cities teacher candidates placed in Laboratory Schools observe multiple classrooms focused on specific topics about teaching and learning. After observing, candidates then volunteer in specific classrooms to support and apply teaching techniques.
"The official designation as a WSU Tri-Cities College of Education Laboratory School is a profound honor and a transformative opportunity for our students and community," said Diana Cissne, Principal of Maya Angelou Elementary School in Pasco. "This partnership not only enhances our educational practices through innovative teaching strategies and resources, but also enriches the learning experiences of our students, preparing them for a bright future. Together, we are fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence, empowering both our future educators and our young learners to thrive in an ever-evolving world."
This partnership offers student teachers a unique chance to engage in dual-language classroom environments within the Pasco School District, which proudly hosts the largest dual-language program in Washington State. With this immersive experience, teacher candidates gain valuable skills in supporting bilingual education and multilanguage learning—a critical component of Pasco’s educational approach. This focus on dual-language instruction, combined with STEM education, provides future educators with a well-rounded practicum experience that reflects Pasco’s commitment to preparing students for a diverse and interconnected world.
Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary Principal, Jennifer Melendrez says this partnership will lead to endless possibilities for teachers and students. "We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the innovative partnership between Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary and WSU Tri-Cities,” she said. “This collaboration is truly transformative, blending higher education with elementary education to elevate teacher preparation. Through this hands-on experience in our dynamic STEM environment, future educators are developing creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for learning. Together, we are not only enriching the education of today, but also inspiring the next generation of students to explore the exciting possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
John Mancinelli, the Field Services Director at WSU Tri-Cities, stated that creating impactful future educators benefits the community for decades. “Approximately eighty-five percent of WSU Tri-Cities students stay in our region,” he said. “These partnerships allow all our candidates to gain valuable insights into teaching and learning from exemplary mentor teachers, enhancing the significance of their education and the skills they develop to become educators. We are grateful for this partnership.”
Richland and Kennewick School Districts have also volunteered to initiate the Laboratory School partnership. Tapteal Elementary in West Richland was designated as a “WSU Tri-Cities College of Education Teaching Laboratory School” in October. The Kennewick School District is working to identify their partner schools.
WSU Tri-Cities Field Services places teacher candidates in regional schools for three types of practica: Early, Pre-Internship, and Student Teaching. All teacher candidates combined spend about 45,000 hours each academic year in 33 different school districts located in the Columbia Basin including Walla Walla, Goldendale, Yakima, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and the Tri-Cities.
The WSU Tri-Cities College of Education offers multiple routes for individuals interested in earning a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in education, as well as certification programs for principals, program administrators and superintendents. Visit https://tricities.wsu.edu/education/ for more details.
When & Where: Monday, Nov. 4
- 8 a.m. - Franklin STEM Elementary, 6010 Rd. 52, Pasco, 99301
- 9:30 a.m. - Maya Angelo Elementary, 6001 N. Rd. 84, Pasco, 99301
Why: Great photo/video opportunity showing partnership between WSU Tri-Cities College of Education and local schools to provide meaningful early practicum experiences for teacher candidates. The Laboratory School partnership is unique because it allows teacher candidates to observe in multiple classrooms and then volunteer in multiple classrooms to apply teaching techniques, rather than a single classroom.
Who: In attendance will be WSU Tri-Cities leadership, Pasco School District Superintendent Michelle Whitney, Franklin STEM Principal Jennifer Melendrez, Maya Angelou Elementary Principal Diana Cissne and WSU Tri-Cities teacher candidates.
What: Maya Angelou Elementary and Franklin STEM Elementary WSU Tri-Cities Teaching Laboratory School Dedications
- A brief welcome from WSU Tri-Cities Field Services Director, John Mancinelli
- Remarks by WSU Tri-Cities Leadership, a WSU Tri-Cities teacher candidate, Pasco Superintendent Michelle Whitney and Principals Jennifer Melendrez and Diana Cissne
- Unveiling of the WSU Tri-Cities Teaching Laboratory School sign
- WSU Tri-Cities student-led mini tours.
###
Leslie Streeter, WSU Tri-Cities Director of Marketing and Communications, (509) 372-7333 or leslie.streeter@wsu.edu
Anna Tensmeyer, Director of Public Affairs, Pasco School District (509) 546-2807 or atensmeyer@psd1.org
WSU Tri-Cities Halloween Fest offers a fun and safe option to celebrate Halloween.
Why: Great photo/video opportunity. Includes a variety of activities for all ages. Open to the community.
Who: Washington State University Tri-Cities Student Entertainment Board
What: WSU Tri-Cities Halloween Fest
Family-friendly event featuring a trunk-or-treat, haunted house, coffee truck, free face painting, free mini doughnuts, and more!
When: Wednesday, Oct. 30. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: The event will be held in the parking lot of the Consolidated Information Center (CIC) on the WSU Tri-Cities campus, 2770 Crimson Way, Richland.
RICHLAND, Wash. – The College of Education at Washington State University Tri-Cities was awarded a $3.1 million grant, funding a new multilingual educator project. The project, titled Certifying and Advancing Multilingual Teachers by Increasing Numbers Through Three Grow-Your-Own Strands (CAMINOS), will fund preservice teachers pursuing signature preparation pathways at WSU—the Alternative Route, the Teaching Bridge, and the Dual Language Pathway Certificate—with the aim of increasing multilingual educators in the Tri-Cities region and statewide, and preparing them to work with multilingual learners.
Fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of English Language Acquisition’s National Professional Development program, the development of CAMINOS is in response to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) initiative to provide all Washington students with access to dual language programs.
For eligible WSU students, CAMINOS will cover fees and full tuition for two cohorts of Alternative Route and Teaching Bridge students on the Tri-Cities campus, and summer tuition for four cohorts of eligible Dual Language Pathway Certificate students statewide.
The grant will also fund partnering districts’ Teaching Academies that provide college credit-bearing classes to high school students, and bolster WSU research and development efforts focused on supporting dual language programming and instructional development in partnering elementary schools.
“The body of work supported by this grant aligns with the college’s mission to expand access to higher education and prepare the next generation of educational leaders ready to interact with and support multiple levels and types of diversity in our classrooms,” said Karen Thomas-Brown, dean of the College of Education. “Funding work like this ensures that future educators and students from linguistic and culturally diverse backgrounds see a clear path to higher education and opportunities to experience the high-quality teaching, learning, and experiences the college is known for. Furthermore, creating multiple alternate paths to higher education meets our mission of increasing access and opportunities in the future.”
The grant team consists of six WSU faculty and staff across the Tri-Cities and Pullman campuses: Yuliya Ardasheva, multilingual education; Lindsay Lightner, Alternative Route coordinator; Yun-Ju Hsiao, special education; Danica Garcia, Teaching Bridge program coordinator; Anne Marie Guerrettaz, multilingual education; and Shenghai Dai, psychometrics and evaluation.
“Our team has been very fortunate to partner with Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, and Richland School Districts, among others, in supporting WSU Tri-Cities programs tailored to the districts’ need for highly qualified teachers who are adept at working with learners from all backgrounds,” said Lightner.
Ardasheva, who serves as the principal investigator for the grant, expressed that the team is excited to join the Department of Education’s National Professional Development Program committed to promoting opportunities for multiliteracy skills development for all students.
The three pathways each provide students with opportunities to earn their degrees in a way that suits them best, while gaining valuable, hands-on classroom experience:
- The Alternative Route at WSU Tri-Cities allows current paraeducators in partner school districts to receive credit for prior learning and work experiences and earn a bachelor’s degree in education while completing job-embedded learning in their paraeducator roles.
- The Teaching Bridge program at WSU Tri-Cities mentors incoming education students and places them in paid substitute paraeducator roles in local school districts alongside their current courses.
- The Dual Language Pathway Certificate, available to WSU students statewide through online delivery from the Tri-Cities campus, prepares students in teacher preparation courses in languages other than English, allowing them to qualify for a Bilingual Education endorsement.
“It is very exciting that this grant will provide funding to support students in our programs, two of them developed with our local school districts,” said Judy Morrison, academic director for the College of Education. “The ‘grow-your-own’ pathways are important for our local communities because of the collaboration and improved academic outcomes for students.”
For more information about the College of Education at WSU Tri-Cities, visit https://tricities.wsu.edu/education/.
Information about the Dual Language Pathway Certificate for WSU students statewide is available at https://catalog.wsu.edu/Pullman/Academics/Certificate/1094.