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The STAR program is an accelerated option for our teaching certificate program for middle and high school with an available optional Master's degree route. This program is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and who have at least one year of professionally oriented work experience.

Requirements

In order to be considered for full and unconditional admission* to the STAR program applicants must meet the following requirements.

  • 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).
  • Completion of all three subtests of the WEST-B exam. SAT/ACT scores can supplement the WEST-B exam requirement. If you plan to use this test in place of the WEST-B exam, you will need to provide an official score report of the exam.
  • 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.
  • The WEST-E/NES must be completed before being accepted into the program.
  • Additional credits for endorsement competencies may be required, based on your transcript review.   
  • Current certification in CPR and First Aid for Adults and Children
  • Completion of all three subtests of the WEST-B exam.
    • SAT/ACT scores can supplement the WEST-B exam requirement. If you plan to use this test in place of the WEST-B exam, you will need to provide an official score report of the exam.

International students must submit proof of English proficiency in one of two ways: 

  1. An undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution where English is the language of instruction or
  2. 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

  • Pre-professional courses

    Pre-professional courses (if not completed as an undergraduate)

    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
    ED 204 Introduction to education
    MTH 101 College level math or above
    ED 202 or SOC 396 Diversity in educational systems or intercultural communications
    HIS XXX United States history
    HIS XXX World history
    HIS 326 Pacific Northwest history
    Natural science course Natural science with lab
  • STAR with MIT

    Must be taken at the graduate level. (40-45 semester hours):

    MED 506X Curriculum and instruction (2)
    MED 570X Classroom assessment (2)
    MED 568X  Secondary literacy (2) 
    MED 562X Issues of abuse and education law (2)
    MED 560X Classroom management (2)
    MED 526X Language acquisition methods (3)
    MED 584X Secondary methods (2)
    MED 512X Technology in the classroom (2)
    MED 598X Student internship seminar (2)
    MED 559X Introduction to exceptionality (2)
    MED 598X Internship (5)
      Thesis or non-thesis option (3-7)
  • STAR Certification Only

    Must be taken at the undergraduate level. (43 semester hours):

    Course number Course title
    ED 306x Curriculum and instruction (3)
    ED 370x Classroom assessment (3)
    ED 468x Secondary literacy (3)
    ED 362x Issues of abuse and ed law (3)
    ED 360x Classroom management (3)
    ED 426x Language acquisition methods (3)
    ED 484x Secondary methods (3)
    TED 312x Technology in the classroom (3)
    ED 498x Student internship seminar (2)
    SED359x Introduction to exceptionality (3)
    ED 494x Internship (10)

 

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.

Who to Contact

Rebecca

Rebecca Campeau, Ph.D.

STAR and Field Director
Lecturer, education,
College of Education and Counseling
360-688-2764

Program Schedule

Course delivery

Example of schedule of classes

ATTENTION: please note that additional classes will very likely be required, and this will vary for each student depending on what endorsement areas are chosen, what credit is transferred in, and what pre-professional courses are needed.

Classes are offered at 2 levels for varying credit hours. Cert-only students take the courses at the undergraduate level (300 or 400), MIT students take the courses at the graduate level (500 or 600).

ATTENTION: please note that price per credit varies from undergraduate and graduate level courses.

  • Summer academy (6 weeks)
    Summer academy (6 weeks)
    Class STAR Cert-only STAR MIT
    Curriculum and instruction ED 306 3cr MED 506 2cr
    Classroom assessment ED 370 3cr MED 570 2cr
    Classroom management ED 360 3cr MED 560 2cr
    Educational law and issues of abuse ED 362 2cr MED 562 2cr
    Language acquisition methods ED 426 3cr MED 526 3cr
    Educational technology ED 312 2cr MED 512 1cr
      subtotal 16   12
  • Fall semester/Spring semester
    Fall semester
    Class Cert-only MIT
    Secondary Methods ED 484 3cr MED584 2cr
    Secondary Literacy ED 498 3cr MED598 2cr
    Introduction to Exceptionality SED359 3cr MED559 2cr
    Practicum ED 487 3cr MED587 3cr
    Spring semester
    Teaching Internship ED 492 10cr MED592 5cr
    Teaching Internship Seminar ED 498 2cr MED598 2cr
      subtotal 24   16
  • STAR MIT - Remaining coursework following internship
    STAR MIT - Remaining coursework following internship
    Educational research methods MED 601 3cr
    Diversity and social context MED 605 3cr
    Foundations for educational practice MED 607 3cr
    Thesis or non-thesis exit option   3-7cr
    subtotal 12 - 16
    grand total 40 - 45

Financial aid and scholarships

Student measuring weight on scale

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 lecture to class

Graduate teaching and research assistantships

Saint Martin’s University offers a limited number of Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships to graduate students. For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 360-412-6142.

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 program. Individuals who are employed on a part-time basis will not be eligible for the program.

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.

FAQ's

  • How long does the STAR program take?

    The length of the program will depend on how much transferable coursework students bring in from their undergraduate degrees towards their endorsement areas. For certification-only, the program can take as little as one year, for the MIT option, the program can be completed as quickly as a year and a half (again, depending on endorsement requirements and undergraduate coursework transferability).

  • What is the class size?

    Classes are purposely kept small (typically between 10 to 15 students) so that students can engage in collaborative learning activities with their colleagues and instructors can offer strong support for students’ success.

  • Is the program accredited?

    Saint Martin's University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The State of Washington Professional Educator Standards Board recently reviewed Saint Martin’s University and granted full approval of five years.

Faculty