Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Teacher Residency Pathway
Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers through District- University Partnerships
Pathway Overview
Central Washington University's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Teacher Residency Pathway partners with school districts to develop highly qualified teachers while addressing local educator workforce needs. Through a collaborative Grow Your Own (GYO) model, school districts play an active role in identifying future educators, selecting mentor teachers, and shaping meaningful internship experiences that reflect the needs of their schools and communities.
The MAT Teacher Residency Pathway combines graduate-level academic coursework with an extended school-based teaching internship. Teacher residents work alongside experienced mentor teachers while completing their preparation for Washington State teaching certification and a master's degree.
Pathway at a Glance
- MAT program length: 15 months, summer to summer.
- Academic preparation: Online graduate coursework completed alongside the year-long teaching residency.
- Teaching experience: A 900-hour progressive, yearlong co-teaching internship in a partner school district.
- Endorsement areas: Elementary Education or Special Education, depending on each partner-district’s identified needs.
- Degree: Master of Arts in Teaching with Washington State teaching certification.
- Mentorship: Experienced district-selected mentor teachers supported by CWU faculty and field supervisors.
- Financial support: Each teacher resident receives a scholarship covering the full cost of program tuition and fees. Participating mentor teachers also receive substantial financial compensation for their time and mentorship.
A Collaborative Approach to Teacher Preparation
Unlike traditional teacher preparation models in which university faculty independently determine the structure of student teaching experiences, CWU’s MAT Teacher Residency Pathway gives district partners an important role in shaping the preparation of future teachers.
District partners collaborate with CWU to:
- Identify and recommend potential teacher residents.
- Select experienced mentor teachers.
- Co-design internship experiences that address district and school needs.
- Identify learning opportunities aligned with district priorities and community contexts.
- Support the professional growth and development of future educators.
Building Stronger Local Teacher Pipelines
The MAT Teacher Residency Pathway is designed to support districts’ Grow Your Own initiatives by supporting districts in identifying talented employees and community members who have the potential to become certified teachers in high-need teaching areas. Through strong partnerships between universities and school districts, the Pathway helps districts recruit, develop, and retain local talent while addressing critical educator shortages. By investing in individuals who understand the communities they serve, the Pathway seeks to strengthen the educator workforce and prepare teachers who are committed to meeting the needs of local schools and students.
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