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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:

Emphasis Number of credits
Elementary education 55-61
Secondary education 45-51
Special education 67-73

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.

  • Pre-professional courses

    These courses are required for both elementary and secondary pathways.

    Course number Course title
    ENG 101 College writing I
    ENG 102 College writing II
    COM 106 or THR 211 Public speaking, acting or any communications
    PSY 101 Introduction to psychology
    ED/PSY 205 Child 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 204 Introduction to education
    MTH 101 College level math or above
    ED 202 or SOC 396 Diversity 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 XXX United States history
    HIS XXX World history
    HIS 326 Pacific Northwest history
    Natural science course Natural science with lab
  • Core courses

    Master's Core courses

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

    Course number Course title
    MED 559 Introduction to Exceptionality (2)
    MED 601 Educational Research Methods 1 (3)
    MED 605 Diversity and Social Context (3)
    MED 607 Foundations 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 number Course title
    MED 504 Practicum Level I (1)
    MED 506 Curriculum and Instruction (2)
    MED 512 Technology for the Classroom (2)
    MED 526 Methods of Teaching Language Acquisition (3)
    MED 559 Introduction to Exceptionality (2)
    MED 560 Classroom Management (2)
    MED 570 Classroom Assessment (2)
    MED 571 Educational Law (1)
    MED 583 Issues of Abuse / Teacher as Counselor (1)
    MED 594 Internship (5)
    MED 598 Internship seminar (2)

     

    Elementary Methods Courses - for students pursuing an Elementary Education endorsement

     

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

     

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

     

    Course Number Course Title
    MED 508 Practicum Level II (1)
    MED 582 Reading Assessment and Intervention for Secondary Teachers (1)
    MED 584 Secondary Methods (2)
    MED 585 Content Area Reading for Secondary Teachers (1)
    MED 586*

    Living and Learning in the Middle School (3)

    (*optional for students pursuing Middle Level endorsement)
    MED 587 Secondary Methods Practicum/Seminar (2)

     

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

     

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

  • Exit options (3 to 6 hours)

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

    Option Credits Brief description
    Thesis or Project 3 credit hours Written thesis or project with oral defense.
    Non-thesis 3 to 6 credit hours Capstone 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.

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 teaching and research assistantships

Saint Martin’s University offers a limited number of Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships to graduate students. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 360-438-6142 for more information.

FAQ's

  • What are the differences between the MED and the MIT program?

    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.

  • Can credits from another university be transferred to the MIT program?

    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.

Faculty