Education

Designed for aspiring superintendents and other school district leaders, such as assistant superintendents, executive directors and program managers. Candidates earn the Washington State initial superintendent’s certificate.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at Western Washington University offers a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). Speech-language pathology is a discipline which has developed out of a concern for people with communication disorders. Preparation leading to a degree in communication sciences and disorders includes a wide range of course work and a variety of clinical practicum opportunities working with the infant through geriatric populations. Students who intend to seek employment in this profession, whether in a public school, clinic, rehabilitation center or hospital setting, are advised that certification/licensure at the state and/or national levels is required. Out-of-state students should recognize that other requirements may exist for employment in different geographic locations.

The MEd school counseling program prepares professional counselors for employment in educational settings and is designed for those students intending to apply for the state educational staff associate certificate endorsed in school counseling at the elementary and secondary levels. Certification as a public school teacher is not required for admission to the program. The school counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The program contains a thesis option for those students interested in pursuing a research project related to the degree program.

The Principal's Certificate program in the Educational Administration department is designed for educators who hold a master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a master's program. Candidates earn the Washington State residency administrator certificate (principal). The certificate may be earned in conjunction with the M.Ed. in Educational Administration. See this program comparison table for more information.

The Master in Teaching (MIT) program with emphasis in Multilingual Education is designed for candidates who wish to complete a Master’s degree with recommendation for Washington State Residency Certification to teach at the secondary level (middle and high school) and training in dual language education (through ELL and/or Bilingual endorsements). Our comprehensive MIT with emphasis in Multilingual Education program is firmly backed by current research of effective teaching and promoting student learning. Currently the program is only offered through Western’s South Seattle site. The program is designed specifically for multilingual working professionals who are employed by school districts in South King County. Classes will be held on evenings and/or Saturdays. Course work will integrate students’ classroom experience. This MIT program can be completed in six-seven quarters, including full-time student teaching (internship). We accept World Language, English, Science and Social Studies endorsements; please speak with us about other content-area endorsements. Why Consider Are you a multilingual individual excited by the possibility of teaching content in more than one of your languages? Do you want to learn how to teach in ways that sustain the languages and cultures of your students? Are you interested in teaching in middle and/or high school dual language and bilingual programs? Are you passionate about serving Immigrant and refugee families and communities? Dual language programs are growing throughout Washington State and districts are searching for multilingual teachers who are highly trained in methods of content and language teaching.

The Master in Teaching (MIT) program in Everett is designed for candidates who wish to complete a master’s degree while earning state of Washington residency certification required to teach at the secondary level (middle, junior high, and high school). Our comprehensive MIT program is firmly backed by current research on effective teaching and the promotion of student learning. The MIT program in Everett has attracted adult students from a variety of fields and professions who want to teach at the secondary level. The MIT program consists of 68 quarter credit hours completed over 7 quarters of academic study, including 14 weeks of full-time student teaching in local, public secondary education classrooms. This program is designed to accommodate the needs of students who need or wish to continue working while completing the program. Students generally take two or three courses during the academic quarter, which requires classroom attendance two or three nights per week between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Our program seeks to admit 15-20 students each year.

The Master in Teaching (MIT) program is designed for candidates who wish to complete a master’s degree while earning state of Washington residency certification to teach at the secondary level (middle, junior high, and high school). Our comprehensive MIT program is firmly backed by current research on effective teaching and the promotion of student learning. The MIT program can be completed in five quarters, including the student teaching (internship) and is available at WWU's Bellingham campus or at WWU's Everett site.

At Western Washington University we pride ourselves in welcoming participants who come to us as students, are treated as colleagues, and graduate as life-long friends. Since 1944 WWU has developed strong leaders in education in a program taught by practicing experts in education who provide: Curriculum aligned to the Professional Educational Leaders Standards Practical, relevant, research-based coursework School-based assignments Strong student support All classes are taught by current, or recently retired, Washington Administrators in conjunction with WWU Faculty.

Western’s Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education Leadership is designed for aspiring superintendents and district leaders, including assistant superintendents, executive directors and others in district-level leadership positions in the US and Canada. FOR STUDENTS IN THE US The EdD program is comprised of two parts: Part 1: the Superintendent certificate program coursework (32 quarter credits) Part 2: 30 additional credits of coursework, 10 credit research sequence, and 15 credit dissertation If you haven’t completed the Superintendent Certificate Program requirements: You are eligible to apply for admission to the EdD program in fall quarter. Upon admission, you’ll begin with part 1 of the EdD program. If you’ve already completed the Superintendent Certificate Program: You have already completed part 1 of the EdD program and are eligible to apply to the EdD program for admission in Summer Quarter. Upon admission, you’ll begin part 2.

The Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education program is designed for those who desire to teach, consult, or administer education programs, materials and policies targeted to diverse adult populations. The Adult and Higher Education curriculum links theories to practice, policies, research, and evaluation. It prepares students for competency and knowledge in the areas of instructional technology, e-learning, research methods, teaching methodologies, diversity issues, curriculum development, leadership and management, policy issues, assessment and evaluation, adult learning, and program development. Graduates will work in settings such as community/technical colleges, universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and business and industry. The 52-credit program is offered through a blended (hybrid) format. Course sessions are scheduled online Monday through Thursday evenings (6 - 10 p.m.) with two Saturday face-to-face meetings (noon - 5 p.m.) on the first and last Saturdays of each quarter here on the Bellingham WWU campus. The program is designed for working adults. Completion time for the program is designed for two years on a full-time basis or four years on a part-time basis.