Completion of the program fulfills requirements for a Master in Teaching Math and Science degree and Washington state Residency Teacher Certification. After completing certification requirements, the Certification Office in the School of Education at SPU recommends candidates for teacher licensure to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Completion of five additional graduate-level classes fulfills requirements for the Master in Teaching Mathematics and Science degree.
Program Schedule and cohort info
A new cohort begins each summer. Summer session is divided into two parts, online and on campus. Online classes begin in late June. The on-campus portion begins in late July. During the academic year, candidates attend classes one night a week.
Online courses consist of both asynchronous and synchronous coursework.
Program components
Certification
The certification component of the AMTMS program is 45 credits. Approximately one-third of these credits are allocated for student teaching, which is full-time and supervised, for 180 days in a classroom. Completion of certification courses, internship requirements, and passing program assessments qualifies candidates for a Washington 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.
Candidates in the Accelerated Master in Teaching Math and Science (AMTMS) program are recommended for certification by the following:
- Demonstrating effective teaching practices
- Centering instruction on high expectations for student achievement
- Recognizing and responding to individual student learning needs
- Providing clear and intentional focus on subject matter content and curriculum
- Fostering and managing a safe, positive learning environment
- Using multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student learning
- Communicating and collaborating with parents and the school community
- Exhibiting collaborative and collegial practices focused on improving instruction and learning
NOTE: Tuition rates for the certification portion of the program and the master's component of the program are differentiated. While certification courses are offered at a reduced rate, students across all master's programs take the master's component classes at the regular graduate tuition rate.
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. Candidates enroll in classes with peers who are earning the same endorsements in math and science to promote collegial interdependence.
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 coursework. 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 field supervisor in a school setting. Internship is five days a week during an entire K–12 school year, including in-service and end-of-the-year activities. Candidates may have up to two release days a month to attend to program requirements and wellness goals.
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 reflections, lesson 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 additional graduate-level courses, totaling 15 credits. These classes are taken at the regular graduate tuition rate. Classes required for the MTMS degree are not needed for certification. However, most candidates complete degree requirements immediately following certification to increase their 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 AMTMS program with an advanced degree may transfer 12 of the 15 credits from their previous institution All students are required to complete EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education to receive the MTMS degree.
Course sequence
Candidates enrolled in the AMTMS-Online program follow a course sequence designed to exceed the demands of today's classrooms. Graduates complete the program with knowledge and skills required for effective teaching, developed through integration of internship experiences, positive peer interdependence, and focused pedagogy for teaching secondary students in math and science.
Courses for Certification
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Summer
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EDRD 6530 |
Disciplinary Literacy and Language Learning (3) |
EDU 6100 |
Introduction to Equitable Teaching (3) |
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EDU 6140
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Classroom Management and The Psychology of Learners I (2)
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EDU 6170
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Inquiry, Teaching & Assessment Methods for Math/Sci (3)
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EDU 6944
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Professional Learning Network (1)
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Autumn
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EDU 6141
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Classroom Management and The Psychology of Learners II (2)
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EDU 6171
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Inquiry, Teaching & Assessment Methods for Math and Science II (3)
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EDU 6526
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Survey of Instructional Strategies (3)
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EDU 6944
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Professional Learning Network (1)
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EDU 6945 |
Residency Student Teaching Internship (4)
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Winter
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EDU 6172
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Inquiry, Teaching, & Assessment for Math and Science III (3)
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EDU 6139 |
Professional Issues Internship Seminar (2) |
EDU 6944 |
Professional Learning Network (1) |
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EDU 6945
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Residency Student Teaching Internship (4)
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Spring
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EDU6133
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Culturally Sustaining Teaching for Diverse Learners (3)
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EDU 6139
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Professional Issues Internship Seminar (2)
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EDU 6173
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Inquiry, Teaching, & Assessment for Math and Science IV (3)
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EDU 6944
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Professional Learning Network (1) |
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EDU 6945
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Residency Student Teaching Internship(4)
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Courses for MTMS Degree
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EDSP 6644*
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Educating Exceptional Students (3)
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EDU 6085*
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Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3)
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EDU 6120*
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American Education: Past and Present (3)
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*indicate a master’s component course. Many students complete the master’s degree component during the summer following internship.
Many students complete the master’s degree component during Spring Quarter and Summer Session following their internship.
Applicants to the AMAT-Online program fit one of these profiles, though all routes require a bachelor's degree and endorsement in a high needs area at the district or local level.
Route 2: For district staff with a bachelor’s degree.
Currently employed school-district staff members (such as paraeducators, instructional assistants, or education aides) with a minimum of one year of student interaction and leadership
Route 3: For “career changers” with a bachelor’s degree.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree not currently employed by a school district at the time of application (such as those considering career change)
Route 4: For district staff with a bachelor’s degree and limited certificate.
Teachers employed in a public school on a limited certificate such as a Conditional or Emergency substitute Certificate or teachers employed in private schools