In order to be considered for full and unconditional admission* to the STAR program applicants must meet the following requirements. Those wishing to combine the Master's in Teaching (MIT) and STAR program must also meet the standardized test requirement for the MIT program.
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited (or equivalent) college or university with an overall 3.0 undergraduate GPA or graduate coursework GPA (those not meeting these criteria may be admitted conditionally).
- Applicants must have at least one year of professionally oriented work experience.
- Moral character and personal fitness qualifications as adopted in the Washington Administrative Code for teachers.
- Passing grade on all three tests of the West B.
- One attempt on the WEST-E or NES in one endorsement area (attempt must occur at least one month prior to enrolled semester). The WEST-E/NES test must be passed prior to student teaching.
- Additional credits for endorsement competencies may be required, based on your transcript review.
- International students must submit proof of English proficiency in one of two ways:
- An undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution where English is the language of instruction or
- An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report (less than two years old) sent directly from the testing agency. For full admission we require a 79 IBT/213 CBT/550 PBT on the TOFEL or 6.5 band score on the academic version of the IELTS.
Those students who do not meet the minimum required English proficiency but are otherwise admissible will be conditionally admitted through our ESL program.
Saint Martin's University is the sole judge of an applicant's English proficiency.
*Students not meeting these requirement will be considered for conditional admission. Saint Martin's University recognizes that while previous performance is a valuable indicator of potential success there are those who have demonstrated that potential in other ways than traditional academic performance.
The number of credit hours and course requirements for the STAR program depend on which option is chosen, either STAR - Certification only or STAR - Master's in Teaching (MIT).
STAR - Certification only - 43
STAR - MIT 40-45
In addition to these total required hours, the student may need to complete pre-requirements and/or endorsement courses. For the MIT option, the choice of thesis or non-thesis will impact the number of required credit hours.
Required courses
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 exam and/or NES exam.
Candidates secondary education (grades 5 to 12) must:
Have an academic major or equivalent (30 semester hour minimum) in the area in which they intend to be endorsed.
Authorized endorsements
Saint Martin's has been authorized by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to offer teacher certificate competency-based endorsements.
For a detailed explanation of all policies, procedures and requirements, students should consult the School of Education Graduate Handbook.
