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Do you want to become a teacher?
CWU offers a teacher preparation program for individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher in a non-education field who seek teacher certification.
This program would be a good fit for you if:
- You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and are interested in obtaining a teaching certificate.
- You are interested in teaching high need subject areas and/or in a rural district in the State of Washington.
- You are passionate about educating young people and sharing your knowledge and expertise.
If any of these resonate with you, then the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Central Washington University could be the right choice for you.
How the MAT Program at CWU Works
Program Length:
The Master of Arts in Teaching program is a 4-quarter teacher certification program with an optional 5th quarter for the master's degree. After successfully completing the first 4 quarters of combined coursework and internship, candidates will be recommended to OSPI for teacher certification.
For those not interested in pursuing the master's degree, your journey ends at the end of the 4th quarter. CWU offers an optional 5th quarter of study leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
Course Delivery:
The Master of Arts in Teaching Program is a primarily online program. Candidates will complete coursework using the Canvas learning management system at CWU. Most of the courses are delivered asynchronously and include optional synchronous office hours. Other courses have mandatory synchronous meeting times requiring a high-speed internet connection with the ability to be on camera during these meetings in a professional learning space. In addition, there is a mandatory year-long in-person internship requirement in a school district in your area.
Internship:
All candidates complete a 650-hour mentored internship in a school near them. The CWU placement team takes each candidate's preferences into account when arranging placements. All hours are documented and are a combination of observation and teaching in the chosen endorsement area.
This internship progresses with candidates assuming more responsibility each quarter. In the fourth quarter of the program, the internship culminates in a quarter of student teaching, with the candidate assuming responsibility for lead instruction.
Prior teaching experience, including substitute teaching or emergency substitute teaching, will not count towards the total required internship hours.
Some interns can continue to work while enrolled in the MAT program, especially those already employed in a school. If not employed in a school, please be aware that there are days of the school year in which interns will need to be at their placement school the entire contracted day. Typically, interns will need to coordinate with their employer to accommodate their internship and student teaching schedule.
Sample Internship Schedule:- EDU 572: Clinical I Practicum: Winter quarter or fall quarter depending on the cohort start date: 60 hours over 10 weeks in their assigned classroom.
- EDU 573: Clinical II Practicum: Spring quarter or winter quarter depending on the cohort start date: 225 hours over 11 weeks in their assigned classroom.
- EDU 574: Clinical III Practicum: Fall quarter or spring quarter depending on the cohort start date: 375 hours over 11 weeks in their assigned classroom.
Program Orientation:
The program begins with a mandatory three-day, in-person orientation. This is a great opportunity to connect with cohort classmates, meet MAT course instructors, learn more about courses and internship requirements, and become familiar with MAT program policies and expectations.
Seminar:
From September to June, candidates are required to attend bi-weekly synchronous online seminars.
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Questions? Contact Us.
Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department
Black Hall 214-25