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Do you have a Bachelor’s degree and want to become a teacher?
CWU offers a teacher preparation program for individuals with a bachelor's degree in any content area outside education.
Master of Arts in Teaching at Central Washington University
This program would be a good fit for you if:
- You have a bachelor’s degree and would like to obtain 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 degree program at Central Washington University could be the right choice for you.
How the MAT program at CWU works
Program Length:After successfully completing 5 quarters of combined coursework and internship, candidates are eligible for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. However, CWU recommends candidates for an Initial Teaching Certificate at the end of the 4th quarter of instruction, when the student teaching is completed.
Optionally, some individuals pursuing teacher certification may not desire the master’s degree if they already have an advanced degree. If this is the case, there is the option to receive a CWU certificate of completion after successfully completing 4 quarters of coursework and internship.
Program Success:
The majority of candidates who complete the Alternative Route to Certification program secure employment in Washington schools. The job placement rate for those who have completed the program at Central Washington University from the three previous years is 94%.
Classes:
Candidates complete online coursework using Canvas, the course management system at CWU. Some of the courses are asynchronous with scheduled deadlines for assignments. Other courses have synchronous meeting times which require headphones and a solid internet connection.
Internship:
All candidates complete a 650-hour mentored internship in a school near them- 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 accepting responsibility for lead instruction.
Prior teaching experience will not count towards the total required internship hours. Prior teaching experience from an emergency credential cannot be applied towards 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 you will need to be at your placement school the entire contracted day. Typically, you will need to coordinate with your employer to accommodate your internship and student teaching schedule.
Week-long Intensive:
The program begins with an intensive experience taught by CWU faculty. This intensive experience is coordinated with the quarterly courses and orients candidates to the internship experience, contemporary education, and schooling in Washington State.
Saturday Seminar:
From September to June candidates are required to attend one synchronous online Saturday seminar each quarter.
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Questions? Contact Us.
Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department
Black Hall 214-25