Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

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Teaching: Secondary Education

This program is offered in-person.

This program offers a unique opportunity to earn both a teaching certification for grades 6-12 and a master’s degree within a cohort, 13-month program. Using dynamic and relevant curriculum with a focus on culturally responsive instruction, full-time faculty model learner-centered instructional practices. Candidates experience learning in a supportive cohort community of learners. A full year internship provides candidates with extensive personalized support from mentor teachers as well as program faculty. Secondary education candidates can enter this program through two main pipelines: WMU pre-education undergraduate content degree with an education focus, or with a content degree from WMU or an outside accredited institution.

The MAT in Secondary Education is a thirteen-month intensive cohorted program of study that includes coursework in foundations of education and pedagogy, as well as a year-long clinical experience in local schools.

Why secondary education at Western Michigan University?

  • Increased emphasis on integration of pedagogy, methods and content-area skills
  • Bachelor's degree in subject area provides extensive content knowledge
  • One-year intensive master's degree format
  • Yearlong, supervised internship experience from the start of the public school year in August through the end of the school year in June
  • Cohort program of 25 or fewer students led by full-time faculty members utilizing a team teaching approach
  • Structured co-teaching models with mentor teacher to increase support
  • The College of Arts and Sciences provides the liberal arts core of the university, offering academic programs in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.
  • Our knowledgeable and supportive faculty will prepare candidates for a lifetime of innovating, adapting, learning and leading through immersive learning experiences.
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"I wouldn't trade my WMU experience for the world. My classes are amazing and I never feel like support is out of reach."

- Jordan O'Neal, Student (Read more)

Department of Teaching
Learning and Educational Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5276 USA
(269) 387-3465

Additional information

The first step in the admission process is to complete a transcript evaluation. Please see the "Who should apply" section below for additional details and links to the appropriate transcript evaluation inquiry forms.

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Completion of discipline coursework equivalent to a Michigan Department of Education approved secondary education initial certification program (Transcript evaluation will determine if additional discipline-area coursework is required.)
  • Passing score on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for the appropriate secondary education discipline.
  • For World Language certification, passing score on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of Advanced Low or higher
  • An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 = A)
  • Completion of ES 2000 or 7+ hours of teacher contact in a public school setting. Completion of ED 3200 and ED 4200 or 30+ hours of student contact in a public school
    setting.
  • Written essay reflecting on experiences with students and teachers in the field
  • Interview

Undergraduate process

Incoming freshman, current WMU undergraduate students, or those who hold a bachelor's degree that have the goal of becoming a secondary education teacher.

Because this program is a post-baccalaureate degree, there are different pathways for admission. The undergraduate pathway includes WMU undergraduates (e.g., current undergraduates, incoming freshman and transfer students) who plan to earn a bachelor's degree prior to pursuing a teacher certification may engage in education-related exploration in their CAS program to prepare for application to the program. Candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree may apply after a transcript evaluation to determine whether their completed coursework meets the requirements of the content area program to which they are applying.

Post-baccalaureate process

The post-baccalaureate pathway is for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution who plan to pursue teacher certification. The pathway for post-baccalaureate candidates involves choosing a teachable subject area(s) and having transcripts reviewed for approved discipline coursework. Completion of the 13-month master’s degree in secondary education leads to both the degree as well as recommendation to the state of Michigan for teacher certification. 

Meet the faculty

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Dr. Amy Bentz

Co-Director, Program Coordinator
View all faculty