WGU Washington Offers Master's Degree for Aspiring English Teachers

SEATTLE, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Governors University—parent university of online and nonprofit WGU Washington—has introduced a new master's degree program for aspiring middle school and high school English teachers who have completed an undergraduate degree in English but still need a teaching credential. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) English program, which prepares graduates for teacher licensure in all 50 states, is now accepting applicants. Students accepted into the program may start their coursework on the first day of any month, beginning February 1, 2015.

WGU Washington's MAT English program combines preparation for licensure as a middle or high school English teacher with coursework to earn a master's degree. The program is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree in English or the equivalent. To learn more about the program —including prerequisite details — or to apply, visit the program's website.

"WGU's Teachers College has long been recognized as a leader in STEM education, producing the most science and math teachers in the country," said Dr. Philip A. Schmidt, Vice President and Dean, WGU Teachers College. "This new MAT English degree is a great complement to those STEM programs and will help prepare those seeking to become English teachers to be effective and successful as they enter the classroom." 

This new degree program adds to the more than 20 online bachelor's, master's and post-baccalaureate teacher licensure programs in WGU Washington's Teachers College.  Now with more than 1,600 students and 1,100 graduates across the state, WGU Washington's Teachers College holds the distinction of being the first exclusively online university to earn accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Earlier this year, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) recognized WGU for having the No. 1 secondary teacher education program in the nation.

Key areas of study in the new MAT English program include:

• Foundations of teaching
• Instructional planning and presentation
• English pedagogy
• Preclinical experiences
• Demonstration teaching (includes practice/student teaching)
• Research fundamentals

Like all of WGU Washington's programs, the MAT English program is online, accredited and competency-based.  Designed to meet the needs of busy adults, WGU Washington's programs allow students to study, complete assignments, and take tests on schedules that fit their busy lives. Students move through courses at their own pace, advancing as soon as they're able to demonstrate they've mastered the material. Coursework and curriculum are developed in collaboration with academic and industry experts to help ensure that graduates are prepared for their careers. Terms at WGU Washington are six months long, and tuition is about $3,000 per term. Tuition is charged at a flat rate regardless of the number of courses completed, so students who have the time to accelerate through their program can finish faster, saving both time and money.

About WGU Washington 
WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.

The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education and Health Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington's competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle and SunGard Higher Education.

* One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791

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SOURCE WGU Washington