Master in Teaching: 36 credits

The Master in Teaching (M.I.T.) Program is designed to provide a master’s degree and a residency teaching certificate to individuals who already possess a bachelor’s degree. The degree consists of 36 semester credit hours of course work to be completed in five semesters. The M.I.T. degree at Heritage University is a performance-based program that prepares students at the graduate level for teaching positions.

Residency Teaching Certificate Requirements

Completion of the Master in Teaching degree qualifies students to teach in the State of Washington in elementary education.

Candidates for Elementary Education endorsement must complete a subject knowledge assessment (WEST-E) as a requirement for that endorsement, as well as pass all required pedagogical assessments. Certification candidates must attempt the WEST-E exams for all required endorsement areas at least three semesters prior to applying for student teaching. For information on test registration or administration, see your advisor or the certification officer at Heritage University.

Teacher Certification Program Admission Guidelines

The guidelines below apply to all residency teaching certificates for Graduate Education, post-baccalaureate certification-only candidates.

1. Candidate applies for admission to the Teacher Certification Program in his or her first semester of education course work, coinciding with ED 505.
2. Interviews for admission are conducted during the first semester of education course work. At the time of the interview, candidate must have on file:

• Completed copy of the application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program
• Completed character and fitness supplement form SPI/CERT4020B
• Official scores from National Evaluation Systems, Inc., for all three subtests of the WEST-B exam
• Assessment of professional disposition form from two Heritage University education instructors
• Initial portfolio of designated work samples, including a writing sample completed in class (ED 505)

3. Following the admission interview, the program chair will review the documentations listed above along with the official recommendation of the interview team to determine the candidate’s status in the program.

The following criteria will be used to determine admission status of the candidate.

For unconditional admission to the program, a candidate must have:

• Completed the application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program
• Completed the character and fitness supplement with all “no” answers, not including section 1, numbers 1 and 2
• Completed the General University Course Requirements
• Passed all three subtests of the WEST-B exam
• Satisfactory ratings on the assessment of professional dispositions
• Satisfactory ratings on the writing sample completed in ED 505
• Approval recommended by interview team

For conditional admission to the program, a candidate may have:

• Incomplete application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program, or application not received by Heritage University
• Any “yes” answers on the character and fitness supplement, not including section 1, numbers 1 and 2
• Unsatisfactory completion of the General University Course Requirements
• Indicators of concern noted on the assessment of professional disposition
• Unsatisfactory rating on writing sample, or recommendation to complete additional courses in writing,
• Conditional approval recommended by the interview team

Other conditions may be identified at the discretion of the program chair according to his or her professional judgment. All conditions must be met before the candidate interviews for approval to student teach.

All candidates receiving conditional admission will receive a letter specifying the conditions.

Candidates may be deferred admission to the program if they have:

• Answered “yes” to any question on the character and fitness supplement, not including section 1, numbers 1 and 2
• Deficient in completion of the General University Course Requirements
• Failed to attempt all three subtests of the WEST-B exam
• Expressed concerns on an assessment of professional disposition
• Inadequate writing skills, as judged by faculty in the Education and/or English departments
• Earned less than a 3.0 in ED 505
• Earned less than an accumulative GPA of 2.60 for the most recent 30 semester or 45 quarter credits
• Non-approval of admission by the interview team

 
Any candidate deferred admission to the Teacher Certification Program, according to the guidelines listed above, may not enroll in education classes. All candidates receiving deferred admission will have a right to appeal the decision to the dean of the College of Education and Psychology.

Candidates may be granted provisional status* if they have attempted all three subtests of the WEST-B but have not passed one or two subtests.

* Provisional status is applied to students who pass one or two of the three subtests on the WEST-B exam; students have until the end of the current academic year to pass all three subtests before being placed on deferred status. Deferred status will not allow students to register for any additional education courses (Education [ED], Bilingual Education [BLE], or Special Education [SPED] courses).