Applications to the major are accepted for Autumn and Winter quarters. Autumn quarter applications are accepted March 1 through April 15. Winter quarter applications are accepted September 1 through October 15. In addition to the course and GPA requirements, admission to the major considers an applicant's demonstrated or intended commitment to the field of education and early learning, your academic and professional goals, and finally, your prior academic performance. ADMISSION TO THE ECFS CORE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.
Current UW students are encouraged to start the program in their sophomore year and no later than the Autumn quarter of their junior year. Interested first-year students are encouraged to apply in April for an Autumn quarter start in their sophomore year. Transfer students are encouraged to review both the degree requirements and UW Admission requirements. Please note that applying to both UW and the College of Education is necessary for admission to the major. Further, we strongly recommend transfer students attend Transfer Thursday to get a clearer picture of what it takes to be successfully admitted to the University and the College of Education.
Apply to the ECFS Major (link opens application)
Admissions Timeline for Autumn 2024:
- Applications are accepted for Autumn 2024 admission between September 1, 2024, and October 15, 2024. Applications can be submitted until 11:59PM on October 15th. Late applications are not accepted.
- Transfer student decisions from the College of Education ECFS Teaching and Learning major are sent after UW Admissions communicates your acceptance to the University. Please note applying to the ECFS Teaching and Learning Major as a transfer student requires admission to both the UW and the College of Education. These processes are separate from each other; with differing deadlines. See the UW Admissions website for transfer student deadlines.
Admission criteria:
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Courses required for admission (Students may submit an application while enrolled in ECFS 200 and/or an English Composition course. If the applicant is accepted, they will be conditionally admitted, pending final course grade. Final course grades must be recorded before the student's first quarter as a declared major.)
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ECFS 200 with a 2.0 minimum grade (COVID-19 Global Health Emergency accommodation: Applicants who completed ECFS 200 in a designated Extraordinary Circumstances quarter can be admitted with an "S" (Satisfactory) grade instead of a numerical one.)
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English Composition with a 2.0 minimum grade (COVID-19 Global Health Emergency accommodation: Applicants who completed an English Composition course in a designated Extraordinary Circumstances quarter with an "S" (Satisfactory) grade instead of a numerical one)
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GPA minimum for UW coursework: 2.50 cumulative. For transfer students, GPA minimum for community college coursework: 2.50 cumulative.
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Admission essays: Applicants will submit their responses to the following admission essay prompts. Each response must be 250 words or less. All materials submitted must be written and edited by the applicant, only.
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Have you experienced, witnessed, or learned about injustices in your educational journey? Please describe. How will the ECFS Major help you understand these injustices? Required for all applicants.
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The ECFS major focuses on the educational experiences of children from birth to age 8 and their families. Why are you interested in working with this specific community? Required for all applicants.
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The ECFS major helps to empower students and graduates to make positive changes in educational and community settings. What are some of the positive changes you would like to work towards in these settings? Required for all applicants.
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Materials required for completing the online ECFS Teaching and Learning Major application:
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Current UW students (these requirements are for students who are already enrolled at UW Seattle):
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Admission essays (details listed above). Applicants should prepare their written essays in an electronic document so they can be copied and pasted into the online application.
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Transfer students (these requirements are for students applying to the UW as a transfer student, only):
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Admission essays (details listed above)
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Unofficial transcripts: The application portal will require that you upload unofficial transcripts from previous or current colleges and universities. Transcripts sent to the UW admissions office are not a substitute for uploading unofficial transcripts.
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Transfer Students
The College of Education welcomes and encourages transfer students to apply to the Major. Transfer students interested in the ECFS Teaching and Learning Major can select the major on their UW Admissions application. The ECFS Teaching and Learning Major requires ECFS 200 Intro to Early Childhood and Family Studies to be completed for a student to be fully admitted to the major. Transfer students who select ECFS as their major on their UW Admissions application will have a seat in ECFS 200 held for them.
After submitting your enrollment deposit to the university, admitted transfer students will attend the required Transfer Advising & Orientation hosted by UW First-Year Programs. This is a chance for you to meet with the ECFS adviser and create a plan to successfully complete the course and other major requirements. If you have questions about transfer student admission to the ECFS Major, please visit our academic advising web page.
If you have questions about the application process or requirements, please attend an Undergraduate Majors and Minor Information Session. Information Sessions are held weekly, see the College of Education calendar for upcoming dates.
