Program FAQs
How long is the Master in Teaching Program at Seattle University?
The MIT Program is a 4-quarter, 60-quarter credit cohort program. Cohorts begin twice a year--in late August or early September and the beginning of March. Students starting in late August or early September finish the following summer and are ready to be employed in September. Those starting in early March attend spring quarter, have the summer off and then complete the program the following academic year, graduating in June.
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How are the classes scheduled?
The MIT Program runs on a full-time, Monday-Friday schedule. With a few exceptions, classroom days run from 9:00am-3:00pm. During the time students are in the field, schedules will vary based upon the schedules of the placement sites.
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Why an MIT Program at Seattle University?
The MIT Program has an excellent reputation for preparing its graduates. The graduate degree puts beginning teachers at a significantly higher pay scale; consequently, MIT graduates continue to earn more each year they teach. Combining certification with a master's degree in four quarters maximizes the student's preparation program and provides a solid foundation for beginning teaching.
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What makes Seattle University distinctive from other programs?
The program is small and personal. The faculty know the students and place an emphasis on developing a community of learners through a cohort model. The program is team-taught and team-planned making it integrative, cohesive, and a model for effective teaching. The faculty are nationally recognized in their fields and, perhaps more importantly, recognized by classroom teachers for their contributions. MIT faculty frequently are in K-12 schools teaching or collaborating with teachers on curriculum, research, or writing activities.
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How do partnership schools contribute to the program?
The MIT Program has a number of partnership schools that contribute to the preparation of teachers, each of which plays a unique role. They include, but are not limited to Beacon Hill Elementary School, Maple Elementary School and Nathan Hale High School in Seattle; Echo Lake Elementary School and Shorewood High School in Shoreline; and Juanita High School in Lake Washington. Echo Lake Elementary School provides a classroom for the MIT Program so that prospective elementary school teachers can have ready access to K-6 classrooms for observation and practice. Classroom teachers at Echo Lake often teach in the program or demonstrate strategies in the context of their own classrooms. Shorewood High School teachers provide classes in methods, curriculum and assessment in specific high school subject areas. Each of the other schools provides focused observations and student teaching opportunities to our prospective teachers.
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What are the field experiences in the MIT Program?
After the first week of classes on campus, students are placed in a two-week observation in a classroom in the Puget Sound region. Following the two-week observation, students return to campus for reflection and discussion about their experience. During the first quarter, students are placed in pairs in partnership schools for a peer coaching field experience in which they observe and teach three separate weeks throughout the quarter.
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During the second quarter of the program, students begin to participate in their student teaching setting while attending classes on campus and in the field. Integrating the student teaching experiences with on-campus classes allows the prospective teacher to integrate theory and practice. MIT students can request a teaching internship site that matches their professional goals. Students are placed in student teaching settings located within a 30-mile radius of campus. Prior to being assigned to a classroom, students participate in an interview with the cooperating teacher. The teaching internship continues into the third quarter of the program. Additionally, MIT students participate in service learning and also in a short field experience in a middle school setting. Approximately 50% of MIT program learning occurs in field settings.
How do I receive my teacher's certificate once the MIT Program is completed?
Once you have successfully completed all Washington state and MIT endorsement and teacher education program requirements, Seattle University will recommend you to the State of Washington for your Residency Certificate. The Residency Certificate is valid for five years, at the end of which you are required by Washington state to meet the Professional Certification requirements. Seattle University will provide information on the process for obtaining Professional Certification as you exit the pre-service program. If you have questions regarding Professional Certification, please call 206-296-5760. You may also use the toll free number to reach the College of Education. Toll-free numbers inside Washington: 1-800-542-0833; outside Washington: 1-800-426-7123.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Endorsements and Certification
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