Program Overview

Master in Teaching Program

The Master in Teaching (MIT) program is designed for candidates who wish to complete a master's degree while gaining state of Washington residency certification to teach at the secondary level (middle and high school). Our comprehensive MIT program is firmly backed by current research of effective teaching and promoting student learning.

Program Overview

The Bellingham MIT program can be completed in five quarters, including the student teaching (internship)- MIT course sequence. Our MIT program has a strong social justice focus and we are looking to recruit teacher candidates that have a commitment to addressing inequities in the schooling system and are looking to deepen their understanding of privilege, equity, and multicultural education.

Application Information

• Application deadlines:
  • Fall Quarter 2026 start: application due February 1, 2026
  • Spring Quarter 2027 start: application due October 1, 2026
• Criteria for selecting the most qualified applicants for admission include:
  • Academic preparation/endorsement evaluation
  • Essay review (for content and structure)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Demonstrated experience with youth
  • Interview participation

Application Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree (or degree completed prior to program start date)
• A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0
• Meet the Basic Skills requirement
• For world language endorsement, submit ACTFL scores
• Unofficial transcripts from every institution of higher learning attended
• A completed endorsement evaluation
• Experience working with youth in an educational setting
• Experience with youth and families in diverse socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic settings
• Resumé
• Three letters of reference
• Essays responding to the prompts in the online application
• Completion of an approved English composition course, with a grade of B or higher
• English language proficiency
• Interview by SEC faculty

Essay Prompts

• Essay 1: Tell us about specific experiences that have shaped your assumptions about teaching and learning. How might these assumptions present challenges and opportunities for your future growth as a teacher?
• Essay 2: Describe how specific experiences working with youth in diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and/or linguistic settings have shaped your understanding of multicultural education and social justice issues.

Requirements Upon Program Admission

• Candidates admitted to the Woodring College of Education must meet specified requirements throughout the course of their teacher education program in order to remain in the program.
• Upon acceptance, each candidate receives a detailed letter for next steps, and is assigned a Secondary Education faculty advisor.
• All newly admitted candidates must attend the mandatory orientation and advising session before beginning first quarter classes.

General Retention Requirements

• Candidates must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, beginning with the quarter they are notified of admission to Secondary Education and all subsequent quarters.
• Candidates must earn a grade of B (3.0) or better in the professional education sequence, and a C or better in all courses required for the endorsement.

Program Completion

• To qualify for program completion and recommendation for state of Washington residency certification, candidates must complete the following requirements and assessments:
  • A state-approved, performance-based teacher preparation program that includes preparation in an endorsable subject area, teaching methodology, and an internship.
  • Evidence of good moral character and personal fitness.
  • Passing score in content test for each endorsement to be earned.
  • Successful completion of the student teaching internship as shown by performance on the WWU Intern Development and Evaluation System (IDES).