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Master in Teaching Math and Science (MTMS) Peterson Hall The Master in Teaching Math and Science (MTMS) program at Seattle Pacific University combines a Washington state Residency Certificate with a Master’s degree specifically designed for teaching secondary math and science. MTMS endorsement areas include:
Candidates in the MTMS program become effective teachers by:
Certification is earned in four academic quarters, from summer to spring. The MTMS degree is earned through additional coursework, which may be completed concurrently with certification requirements or in subsequent quarters. The certification component of the MTMS program is 45 credits. Approximately one-third of these credits are allocated for a 43-week internship. Completion of certification courses, internship requirements, and passing program assessments qualifies candidates for a Washington State Residency Certificate. This certificate enables candidates to teach in public and private schools in Washington state. The master’s degree is earned by completing an additional 15 graduate level credits or five classes. All credits are offered at the graduate level. Several courses in the MTMS program are specifically aligned with mathematics and science pedagogy while others are adaptations of SPU's current Master of Arts in Teaching program. COURSEWORK AND INTERNSHIP Coursework begins in the summer with online and on-campus classes in learning theory, general teaching methods, curriculum design, and literacy strategies. Coursework varies depending on endorsement area to provide discipline-specific emphasis. Candidates typically enroll in classes with peers who are earning the same primary endorsement to promote collegial interdependence. Candidates usually attend on-campus classes one night a week from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Internship begins in late August as K-12 teachers return to school for in-service training. Candidates intern across the school year, while completing online and on-campus coursework. On-campus and online coursework integrates internship experiences to assist candidates in applying educational theory and research to planning, instruction, and assessment. Candidates are paired with a mentor teacher and university coordinator in a supervised school setting. Internship is five days a week, for an entire K-12 school year, approximately 43 weeks, including in-service and end-of-the-year activities. Candidates and mentor teachers follow a co-teaching model where responsibility for planning, instruction, management, and assessment is shared. Candidates begin internship with focused observations and progress to independent teaching. Across internship, candidates complete assignments designed to maximize field experiences, such as portfolio reflections, unit plans, and program assessments. Internship concludes with candidates returning control of classroom responsibilities to their mentor teachers. COMPLETION OF THE MTMS DEGREE Candidates earn the MTMS degree by completing five graduate level courses, totaling 15 credits. Classes required for the MTMS degree are not needed for certification. However, most candidates complete degree requirements immediately following certification to increase their base salary. Candidates may delay completion of degree requirements for five years following the quarter of admission as long as active enrollment status is maintained by completing one class every four quarters. Students admitted to the MTMS program with a master’s degree may complete EDU 6085 and EDU 6978 to receive the MTMS degree. ENROLLMENT POLICY Students must be continuously enrolled in required SPU courses to earn a graduate degree or until the student is officially withdrawn from the program. Exceptions to continuous enrollment must be approved by the program chair (dentod@spu.edu). A student who decides to no longer actively pursue a graduate degree may officially withdraw from the program and the university by notifying the program chair (dentod@spu.edu) and the graduate programs manager (mego@spu.edu). A student may be granted a leave of absence for up to four quarters by the program chair. Once the leave of absence has expired, the student will either enroll in graduate coursework or be dropped from the program. The university office of Student Academic Services (SAS) requires continuous enrollment to remain admitted in a graduate program. After four quarters of non- enrollment, students will be placed in “inactive status” and will need to reapply for admission. ADVANTAGES OF THE MTMS PROGRAM
ROUTES The MTMS program recognizes the alternative routes to certification that have been identified by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). These routes are for individuals who possess a unique set of qualifications and wish to earn a Washington State Residency Certificate. To qualify for the MTMS program at SPU, a candidate must meet one of the following criteria: Route 2
Route 3
Route 4
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Candidates in the MTMS program must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree, preferably with a major aligned with a state-recognized endorsement area, and meet all residency certification requirements. Candidates with an undergraduate degree or major in a field not recognized as an endorsement area by Washington State may need to complete additional courses to meet content requirements. Prospective candidates may apply to the Master in Teaching Math and Science program through The Graduate Center. Applications are due February 1. Qualified applicants are invited to participate in group interviews mid-March. In addition, prospective candidates must:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Financial aid is available for qualified applicants through Student Financial Services or by calling 1-800-737-8826. Teachers employed through Conditional or Emergency certificates may be able to remain employed in their school district or private school while completing internship requirements. Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the Office of the Washington Superintendent of Public
Instruction and the Professional
Educator Standards Board for additional information on becoming a teacher in
Washington state. APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS Ted Hiemstra Seattle Pacific University soe-grad-info@spu.edu << Back to 2014-15 Graduate Catalog Home
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