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Saint Martin's University's Master in Teaching (MIT) program provides the opportunity for simultaneously earning your teacher certification and a master's degree. Certifications may be obtained in the areas of: elementary education and secondary level content areas like biology, chemistry, and special education.

Program highlights

As a graduate, you will be well prepared by a rigorous program and excellent faculty. An education degree from Saint Martin's University opens doors because of the stellar reputation of our program and our graduates. Our program is the only non-cohort based program in the area which means that you aren't locked into a fixed schedule and have the flexibility to adapt the program to your needs. The MIT program is also offered at our location at Joint Base Lewis McChord, making it convenient for those in the military, their spouses, and those in the community near the base.

Interested in an accelerated credential option?

Consider our STAR program, which can also lead into a master's degree as well.

Graphic feature a star logo that says "Best Value ITP Master's Programs 2019-2020"

Saint Martin's MIT program is among Teacher.org's best value teacher prep master's programs of 2019 and 2020.

Learn more 

Requirements

Required credit hours

The number of credit hours required for the Master in Teaching degree varies with each emphasis and the exit option chosen:

EmphasisNumber of credits
Elementary education55-61
Secondary education45-51
Special education67-73

In addition to these total required hours, the student may need to complete additional pre-professional requirements and/or endorsement courses. For more information, please see the academic catalog.

Authorized endorsements

Saint Martin's has been authorized by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to offer teacher certificate competency-based endorsements.

Coursework, internship and exit requirements

Below, find the pre-professional, core, certification core, elementary, secondary and exit option course requirements.

These courses are required for both elementary and secondary pathways.

Course numberCourse title
ENG 101College writing I
ENG 102College writing II
COM 106 or THR 211Public speaking, acting or any communications
PSY 101Introduction to psychology
ED/PSY 205Child and adolescent development
This course may be waived by the graduate core requirements for this degree; please speak with an advisor for more information.
ED 204Introduction to education
MTH 101College level math or above
ED 202 or SOC 396Diversity in education systems or intercultural communications
This course may be waived by the graduate core requirements for this degree; please speak with an advisor for more information.
HIS XXXUnited States history
HIS XXXWorld history
HIS 326Pacific Northwest history
Natural science courseNatural science with lab

Master's Core courses

Must be taken at the graduate level. For elementary, secondary, and special education programs (11 semester hours):

Course numberCourse title
MED 559Introduction to Exceptionality (2)
MED 601Educational Research Methods 1 (3)
MED 605Diversity and Social Context (3)
MED 607Foundations for Educational Practice (3)

Basic certification core courses

Must be taken at the graduate level. For elementary, secondary, special education programs (23 semester hours):

Course numberCourse title
MED 504Practicum Level I (1)
MED 506Curriculum and Instruction (2)
MED 512Technology for the Classroom (2)
MED 526Methods of Teaching Language Acquisition (3)
MED 559Introduction to Exceptionality (2)
MED 560Classroom Management (2)
MED 570Classroom Assessment (2)
MED 571Educational Law (1)
MED 583Issues of Abuse / Teacher as Counselor (1)
MED 594Internship (5)
MED 598Internship seminar (2)

Elementary Methods Courses - for students pursuing an Elementary Education endorsement

Course numberCourse title
MED 508Practicum Level II (1)
MED 511Methods of Teaching Math (2)
MED 515Methods of Teaching Science (2)
MED 518Methods of Teaching Social Studies (2)
MED 519Method of Teaching Language Arts (2)
MED 529Arts and Movement (2)
MED 538Literature for Children and Young Adults (2)
MED 574Primary Reading/Writing (1)
MED 576Content Area Reading for Elementary Teachers (1)
MED 592/579Elementary Education or Reading Practicum (2)

Secondary Methods Courses - for students pursuing a secondary-level or middle-level endorsement

Course NumberCourse Title
MED 508Practicum Level II (1)
MED 568Secondary Literacy (2)
MED 584Secondary Methods (2)
MED 587Secondary Methods Practicum/Seminar (2)

Special Education Methods Courses - for students pursuing a Special Education endorsement

Course NumberCourse Title
MED 524  or MED 526Issues and Trends in ECE (3) or Methods of Teaching Language Acquisition (3) (for pre-K -3rd Grade)
MED 545School Drug Prevention and Counseling (for 4th Grade +) (3)
MED 561Instructional Methods of Exceptional Learners (2)
MED 563Management Strategies for Exceptional Learners (3)
MED 565Transitions to Adulthood for Special Populations (3)
MED 566Assessment in Special Education (3)
MED 567Legal Issues and the IEP (3)
MED 577Reading Diagnosis (4)
MED 569Practicum in Special Education (3)

Coursework for additional endorsements required for the program are not included on this list. Please email education@stmartin.edu for more information or to speak with an advisor about your interest in an education program.

The MIT program offers a thesis or non-thesis option for the completion of the degree.

OptionCreditsBrief description
Thesis or Project3 credit hoursWritten thesis or project with oral defense.
Non-thesis3 to 6 credit hoursCapstone Course - MED 698: Integrating Theory and Practice in Education (3 credit hours), one additional graduate-level elective course in education for a minimum of 36 allowable credits.

 

Financial aid and scholarships

Catholic school special tuition program

The Saint Martin's University Catholic school special tuition program will provide a 50 percent occupational special tuition to full-time religious and lay teachers, and principals and paraprofessionals of Catholic schools which are under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Seattle. This special tuition will apply to students accepted to any College of Education and Counseling educator prparation program. Individuals who are employed on a part-time basis may be eligible for partial funding.

Student presenting lecture to class

To be eligible for the above special tuition, individuals must be fully accepted into the undergraduate teacher education program, the certification-only program, the Master in Teaching Program or the Master of Education Program. Please note that the special tuition for each semester (including summer) is based on the University academic year tuition rate.

Saint Martin's University reserves the right to limit the number of Catholic school special tuition program participants in any particular course or program. It is understood that students will be admitted on a "space available" basis. It is likewise understood that this tuition grant program is not retroactive.

  • Complete an application for admission to Saint Martin's University College of Education at least six weeks before classes begin.
  • After acceptance into the College of Education, complete the application for the special tuition and mail to: the College of Education, Saint Martin's University, 5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey, WA 98503

Application for this special tuition must be submitted at least two weeks before the academic session in which a course in being offered.

Student using scalre to determine weight of an object

Federal aid

Federal financial aid is available for graduate students who will be enrolled at least half time and are citizens, or eligible non-citizens, of the USA. Most federal aid for graduate students is in the form of direct loans. 

For more details about federal aid eligibility and the different types of aid available for graduate and professional studies visit: studentaid.edu.gov.

Student presenting research

Graduate Assistantships

Saint Martin’s University offers a limited number of Graduate Assistantships to graduate students. Contact the Office of the Provost for more information.

FAQ's

The MED program is designed for educators who already have a teaching credential and are looking for a master's degree to further develop their skills and knowledge. The MIT is designed for those looking to become certified as teachers who would also like to earn a master's degree.

Nine semester hours of graduate work may be taken at another institution and transferred, provided the work fits the program plan, is recommended by the program advisor and is approved by the director of master's programs in education. Students applying for admission to the program may request to have prior graduate study considered for transfer into the program.

If you work in a school district and you think the OSPI already has a fingerprint clearance in their database for you (they must not be older than 2 years) we would be happy to check. Just let us know.

For the MIT program, once your application is complete, it goes to a faculty committee for review. We advise applicants that admission decisions can take up to one month.

Classes for the MIT program are typically offered in the late afternoon or evenings.

Faculty