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The 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, secondary level content areas like Biology and Chemistry etc, and special education.

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.

Competency-based endorsements

All students are required to complete two competency-based endorsements of approximately 30 or more semester hours each. Students can only be recommended for certification in the field of their major and in fields in which state requirements for added endorsements are met. Course requirements may be satisfied by:

  • Coursework completed with a 3.0 GPA or better at a regionally accredited, state-approved college or university;
  • Approved waiver documentation for previous life and/or work experience; and/or
  • Successfully passing the appropriate WEST-E or NES exam.
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
    Course numberCourse title
    ENG 101College Writing I
    ENG 102College Writing II

    COM 106 or THR 211

    		Public Address or Acting I
    PSY 101Introduction to Psychology
    MTH 201Introduction to Statistics (or equivalent course as determined by advisor)
    Natural science, with lab (elementary education only)
    U.S. history (elementary education only)
    World history (elementary education only)
  • Core courses

    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 582Reading Assessment and Intervention for Secondary Teachers (1)
    MED 584Secondary Methods (2)
    MED 585Content Area Reading for Secondary Teachers (1)
    MED 586*

    Living and Learning in the Middle School (3)

    (*optional for students pursuing Middle Level endorsement)

    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.

  • Exit options (3 to 6 hours)

    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.

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