Master of Arts in
Education
About the program The PLU Master of Arts in Education program offers three pathways to becoming a teacher: • Teacher Certification • Alternative Routes • Non-Certification (for international students) ● All three programs prepare students with a strong theoretical foundation and real classroom experience. Our intense coursework and schedule provide students with rigorous preparation to gain the skills to become an effective teacher.
About our location PLU’s park-like campus is nestled in a wooded neighborhood seven miles south of downtown Tacoma. We’re also right off the major Interstate 5 corridor, so the metropolitan hubs of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia are within minutes, along with must-see attractions such as Mount Rainier National Park; Tacoma’s waterfront Point Defiance park and zoo; and hiking, biking and water activities.
plu.edu/mae-teaching
Care. Competence. Difference. Service. Leadership. PLU has been certifying teachers for more than
120 years
In 2017
100% satisfaction rate from principals who hired PLU Master of Arts in Education graduates
PLU alums receive 10% tuition discount Scholarships and graduate assistantships are available Students spend a full year with more than 800 hours in the classroom
Prepare qualified teachers to meet children needs of all backgrounds
All full-time faculty have K-12 experience
Two rigorous pathways to teacher certification allow students to earn certification and become teachers quickly
Cohort model
provides a close learning community with personalized and face-to-face support
One Year Master's with Certification
• Program length: 12 months coursework* • Students attend Summer > Fall > Spring > Summer • Intensive program designed to allow students to earn their Master’s and Teaching Certification in just under one year* *Degrees are awarded in August
MAE candidates at a glance Total Applications Accepted
MAE- MAE- ALL RES* ARC** PROG. 91 50 141 56% 68% 60%
Candidates Enrolled
33 30 63
Avg GPA of Admitted
3.40 3.24 3.35
Underrepresented Population (of enrolled)
61% 3.5% 34%
PLU Alumni
70%
17%
44%
(of enrolled)
* Residency certification
** Alternative routes
Program format SUMMER SCHEDULE (JUNE - AUG.) Classes and a field component. FALL SCHEDULE (SEPT. - DEC.) Candidates split days between a K-12 classroom and courses at PLU. J-TERM SCHEDULE (JAN.) Courses are offered in the afternoon and early evening. Candidates continue their field work from Fall. SPRING SCHEDULE (FEB. - MAY) Candidates are full-time in their student teaching placements and attend a student teaching seminar at PLU one night a week. SUMMER SCHEDULE (JUNE*) In the Culminating Seminar candidates finalize their professional growth plans by revisiting foundational questions from the beginning of the program, reviewing key concepts from individual courses, re-examining PLU’s emphasis on “educating for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, and care,” and comparing an contrasting their internship experiences.
Field Experience
The most distinctive feature of the MAE/Certification program is the total time candidates spend practicing tutoring and teaching in K-12 schools. With the help of cooperating teachers and university supervisors, candidates complete year- long internships in one school. During their internships, candidates take on increasing teaching responsibilities from September through January, and then begin student teaching full-time in February. The program’s balance of university coursework and K-12 fieldwork enables candidates to continually apply what they’re learning. The amount of time candidates spend working with K-12 students is the main reason local educators hold the program in such high esteem and seek to hire our graduates.
The PLU difference Field experience supervisors: • All have MA degrees • Average 30 years of classroom/district experience • Average 8 years working for PLU • Supervise an average 8 candidates per year PLU works most closely with 10 partnership districts throughout the Puget Sound region: Seattle, Tacoma, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, Bethel, Puyallup, Sumner, Federal Way, Auburn and Highline.
Alternate Routes to Teacher Certification The Alternative Routes to Certification (ARC) program is a special pathway for career changers from high needs fields (such as math and science) or individuals with prior experience in schools such as paraeducators, substitutes, or conditionally certified teachers.
PLU offers three of the Alternative Routes • Route 2 - Currently employed as a paraeducator and seeking to teach subject matter shortage area. The paraeducator position will serve for part of the internship experience. • Route 3 - Career changers in subject matter shortage areas. Candidates complete an internship in a mentor teacher’s classroom. • Route 4 - For individuals currently employed in school districts on conditional or emergency substitute certificates.
The PLU Difference • One year or less for certification • Cohort model – students take the same classes together in active, interactive and dynamic setting • Face to face, online, and hybrid courses maximize flexibility while maintaining personalized support • Close, collaborative partnerships to support candidates with ARC partner districts including Bethel, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, and Puyallup • Option to finish the master’s degree with less than a year of additional coursework
Program Details • Summer Intensive begins each June with a combination of weekend, weekday, and online courses. • Academic Year: full time internship or employment in a school with coursework weekends and online.
After Certification After candidates have completed the certification, they can choose to continue in the program and complete additional credits for the MAE degree. They have up to three years to complete the degree requirements. Classes are at nights and on weekends so candidates are able to work while finishing the degree.
The PLU MAE program endorsements • Biology • Chemistry • Earth & Space Science • Elementary Education • English Language Arts • English Language Learners • History • Mathmatics • Middle Level Humanities • Middle Level Math • Middle Level Science
• Physics • Science • Social Studies • Special Education • Theatre Arts • Visual Arts • Designated World Languages (Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish)
What is an Endorsement? All teaching candidates must earn at least one endorsement. Endorsements indicate which content and grade levels you are qualified for, and authorized to teach. Elementary education covers grades K-8. Elementary candidates are strongly encouraged to earn an additional endorsement in order to improve job prospects.
plu.edu/mae-teaching
O F F I C E O F G R A D U AT E A D M I S S I O N 1 2 1 8 0 P A R K AV E N U E S O U T H TA C O M A , WA 9 8 4 4 7 - 0 0 0 3
GRADUATE PROGRAMS 253.535.8570 gradadmission@plu.edu Tacoma, WA 98447-0003
p l u . e d u /g r a d u a t e