- Willamette
- College of Liberal Arts
- CLA Catalog
- Academic Overview
- Career, Graduate and Professional Opportunities
- Graduate School of Education
Graduate School of Education
The Willamette University Graduate School of Education is a professional school that offers full-time (10-month) and part-time (two-year) Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree programs, designed to prepare teachers to become educational leaders. The purpose of the field-based program is to develop reflective professionals who are student-centered, collaborative and sensitive to issues of diversity and culture.
The Master of Education degree is a two year, non-cohort program designed for in-service teachers seeking to earn a masters degree. The M.Ed. may be earned in two years in addition to a specialty endorsement in Reading, English Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) and Special Education. Teacher research and environmental literacy are also offered in conjunction with the endorsement.
The Graduate School of Education recognizes that a solid liberal arts background is the best preparation for a career in teaching. Students interested in a teaching career are encouraged to select an undergraduate major related to the subject(s) they wish to teach and to gain some experience with youth of an appropriate age. Undergraduate courses and internships are available to help students prepare for the Master of Arts in Teaching program and the teaching profession. See the Education section for a full description of the undergraduate and graduate options.
For information about admission to the Graduate School of Education, interested students should contact Heather Daniels, Associate Director of Admission, the Graduate School of Education, Willamette University, Salem, OR 97301; call 503-375-5453; e-mail: hdaniels@willamette.edu; or visit the website at www.willamette.edu/gse.
Graduate School of Education: Specialty Endorsements
Specialty endorsements are offered through the GSE. These may be earned in one or two years and include the areas of Reading, ESOL and Special Education. Initial and continuing administrative licensure may also be obtained through the GSE.
ESOL Endorsement Programs
These programs are designed to assist pre-service candidates (the MAT ESOL cadre Program), and beginning and experienced teachers working or planning to work with ESOL students (full ESOL Endorsement Program). The flexibly scheduled classes will lead the dedicated educator to competence in working with second-language learners, and TSPC endorsement.
Reading Endorsement Programs
These programs are designed to assist pre-service candidates (the MAT Reading Cadre Program), and beginning and experienced educators interested in providing reading program leadership within their building or district (full reading Endorsement Program). They lead to competence in working with readers, and TSPC endorsement. These programs are based on scientific research of successful practices to prepare and train high-quality teachers.
Special Education Endorsement/SPED Programs
Our MAT Special Education Cadre cohort program is for MAT Aspire candidates in a Special Education work assignment.
Our Special Education Endorsement/SPED cohort for current educators (full SPED Endorsement Program) consists of 38 quarter-hour, graduate-level credits. These are taken over 14 months (starting one summer and continuing through the following summer). There is an application process which is best completed by February 1, prior to the summer the educator wishes to begin the program.
New Directions in Education Leadership/NDEL Administrative License Programs
Starting in the summer of 2005, CET began offering an Initial Administrative License/IAL program of 28 credits, from July through May in the cohort model. January 2006 marked the beginning of our Continuing Administrative License program/CAL, which includes 26 credits, offered in a rolling format (non-cohort), with various courses offered each term (usually spring and fall).
Continuing Teaching License Program
The CTL (Continuing Teaching License) Program is specifically for teachers in Oregon who hold an Oregon Initial Teaching License received in 1999 or later (not a Basic or Standard Teaching License). These teachers include Willamette University Graduate School of Education MAT graduates, graduates of other Oregon teacher education programs, and out-of-state teachers new to Oregon.
The CTL Program consists of nine courses that focus specifically on the ten competencies set as requirements for the CTL, by Oregon TSPC (Teacher Standards and Practices Commission). Candidates are guided through a system of self-evaluation, clarification of rules and regulations, goal-setting, data-gathering, and presentation of their evidence of advanced abilities in teaching. This individually guided and personalized process is an effort to support teacher excellence in the Oregon school system. Currently (since TSPC made this license optional), CTL courses are provided on an as-needed, non-published basis.
Professional Development Courses
These courses encompass the great variety of interests and needs of educators as they respond to new challenges, new regulations, and the continuing desire to improve their skills as professionals.
The offerings could include any content area or grade level, as the interest indicates and the quality of instructors exists. We desire to serve the needs of the educational community through a high-quality, personalized and cooperative effort to support professional growth.