Program Details
Shaping Exceptional Educators Since 1894
At PLU, we believe every student has unique talents and gifts. As educators, it’s our mission to uncover, nurture, and empower those qualities. We inspire students to aim high, embrace challenges, and believe in themselves. Teaching is more than a profession—it’s a dynamic, creative pursuit that requires dedication and continuous growth.
Teachers play a vital role in a thriving democracy by fostering a well-educated and thoughtful society. That’s why we emphasize collaboration among students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the broader community.
PLU’s School of Education combines early and ongoing field experiences with a legacy of excellence in professional and liberal arts education, making it one of the region’s most respected programs.
Highlights
Program Curriculum & Schedule
PLU offers two pathways to an MAE: Residency Teacher Certification and Alternative Certification.
Degree Requirements
Residency Teacher Certification, Full-time program from June to June MAE with Elementary Teacher Certification
38-semester credits
| Summer Semester (June – August) | Fall Semester (September – December) | J-term (January) | Spring Semester (February – May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classes and a practicum component. Students can expect to be in classes or at the practicum site all day Monday to Thursday with the occasional Friday or Saturday class. | Students will spend days split between a K-12 classroom and attending classes at PLU. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | Classes will be offered in the afternoon/early evening with the possibility of meeting times on Saturdays. Students will continue their practicum from the Fall. | Students are full-time in their student teaching placements and attend a student teaching seminar at PLU one night a week. |
| EDUC 510: Teaching Reading and Language Arts (3) | EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2) | EDUC 528: Reading and Writing Across the K-8 Curriculum (2) | EDUC 563B: Integrating Seminar: Internship (4) |
| EDUC 514: Management and Student Engagement (2) | EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2) | EDUC 564: The Arts, Mind, and Body (2) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) |
| EDUC 520: Issues of Child Abuse and Neglect (1) | EDUC 565: Elementary Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies (2) | ||
| EDUC 544: Sociocultural Foundations of Education (2) | EDUC 566: Elementary Math and Science (4) | ||
| EPSY 566: Advanced Cognition, Development, and Learning (2) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) | ||
| SPED 580: Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (2) | |||
| Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial (1)* |
*Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial fulfills the required prerequisite of Pacific Northwest History/STI via a CE credit that is taken in the first summer if it has not previously been taken.
Residency Teacher Certification, Full-time program from June to June MAE with Secondary Teacher Certification
36-semester credits
| Summer Semester (June – August) | Fall Semester (September – December) | J-term (January) | Spring Semester (February – May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classes and a practicum component. Students can expect to be in classes or at the practicum site all day Monday to Thursday with an occasional Friday or Saturday class. | Students will spend days split between a K-12 classroom and attending classes at PLU. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | Classes will be offered in the afternoon/early evening with the possibility of meeting times on Saturdays. Students will continue their practicum from the Fall. | Students are full-time in their student teaching placements and attend a student teaching seminar at PLU one night a week. |
| EDUC 510: Teaching Reading and Language Arts (3) | EDUC 556: Critical Issues in Secondary Teaching (2) | EDUC 529: Reading and Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum (2) | EDUC 563B: Integrating Seminar: Internship (4) |
| EDUC 514: Management and Student Engagement (2) | EDUC 561: Instructional Methodology for Secondary Teachers (4) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) | |
| EDUC 520: Issues of Child Abuse and Neglect (1) | EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2) | ||
| EDUC 544: Sociocultural Foundations of Education (2) | EDUC 563A: Integrating Seminar: Technology Embedded Instructional Design (2) | ||
| EPSY 566: Advanced Cognition, Development, and Learning (2) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) | ||
| SPED 580: Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (2) | |||
| Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial (1)* |
*Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial fulfills the required prerequisite of Pacific Northwest History/STI via a CE credit that is taken in the first summer if it has not previously been taken.
Alternative Routes
This program is designed for current paraeducators, substitutes, conditional teachers, or career changers pursuing endorsements in high-demand areas like special education, math, and science. It is field-focused and begins in June, with a full-time, year-long mentored internship starting in September.
- Certification Requirements: Complete 19–25 of the 34 program semester hours for initial certification.
MAE Degree Completion: After certification, you’ll have three years to complete the remaining credits, with the option to finish in as little as 15 months. Classes are available on evenings and weekends to fit the schedules of working professionals.
Degree Requirements
Alternative Route MAE, Elementary Certification
One-year program, June to June
| Summer Semester (June – August) | Fall Semester (September – December) | J-term (January) | Spring Semester (February – May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students can expect to be in classes all day Monday to Thursday with the occasional Friday or Saturday class. Please consult the summer schedule for specific times. | Once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | Required for master’s degree, not required for certification. Once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | The full-time student teaching schedule varies. One seminar course on Saturdays. Please consult the spring schedule for specific times. |
| EDUC 510: Teaching Reading and Language Arts (3) | EDUC 561: Instructional Methodology for Secondary Teachers (4) | EDUC 529: Reading and Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum (2) | EDUC 563B: Integrating Seminar: Internship (2) |
| EDUC 514: Management and Student Engagement (2) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) | ||
| EDUC 520: Issues of Child Abuse and Neglect (1) | EDUC 565: Elementary Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies (2) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) | |
| EDUC 544: Sociocultural Foundations of Education (2) | EDUC 566: Elementary Math and Science (4) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) | |
| SPED 580: Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (2) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) | ||
| Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial (1)* |
*Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial fulfills the required prerequisite of Pacific Northwest History/STI via a CE credit that is taken in the first summer if it has not previously been taken.
The remaining coursework is to be finished within 3 years of the start of the program:
EDUC 528: Reading and Writing Across the K-8 Curriculum (2)
EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2)
EDUC 563A: Application of Technology Tools for Teachers (2)
EPSY 566: Advanced Cognition, Development, & Learning (2)
Alternative Route MAE, Secondary Certification
One-year program, June to June
| Summer Semester (June – August) | Fall Semester (September – December) | J-term (January) | Spring Semester (February – May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students can expect to be in classes all day Monday to Thursday with the occasional Friday or Saturday class. Please consult the summer schedule for specific times. | Once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | Required for master’s degree, not required for certification. Once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | The full-time student teaching schedule varies. One seminar course on Saturdays. Please consult the spring schedule for specific times. |
| EDUC 510: Teaching Reading and Language Arts (3) | EDUC 561: Instructional Methodology for Secondary Teachers (4) | EDUC 529: Reading and Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum (2) | EDUC 563B: Integrating Seminar: Internship (4) |
| EDUC 514: Management and Student Engagement (2) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) | ||
| EDUC 520: Issues of Child Abuse and Neglect (1) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) | ||
| EDUC 544: Sociocultural Foundations of Education (2) | |||
| SPED 580: Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (2) | |||
| Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial (1)* |
*Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial fulfills the required prerequisite of Pacific Northwest History/STI via a CE credit that is taken in the first summer if it has not previously been taken.
The remaining coursework is to be finished within 3 years of the start of the program:
EDUC 529: Reading & Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum (2)
EDUC 556: Critical Issues in Secondary Teaching (2)
EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2)
EDUC 563A: Application of Technology Tools for Teachers (2)
EPSY 566: Advanced Cognition, Development, & Learning (2)
Alternative Route MAE, Special Education Certification
One-year program, June to June
| Summer Semester (June – August) | Fall Semester (September – December) | J-term (January) | Spring Semester (February – May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students can expect to be in EDUC classes all day Monday to Thursday with the occasional Friday or Saturday class. SPED courses are in the evenings. Please consult the summer schedule for specific times. | Classes are once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the fall schedule for specific times. | Classes are once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the J-term schedule for specific times. | The full-time student teaching schedule varies. One seminar course on Saturdays. Please consult the spring schedule for specific times. |
| 5 courses (10 credits) – 500 Level | 8 courses (18 credits) – 900 Level (Continuing Education coursework) | EDUC 565: Elementary Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies (2) | EDUC 564: The Arts, Mind, and Body (2) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) |
| EDUC 510: Teaching Reading and Language Arts (3) | EDUC 566: Elementary Math and Science (4) | Required for master’s degree, not required for certification: EDUC 528: Reading and Writing Across the K-8 Curriculum (2) | EDUC 563B: Integrating Seminar: Internship (2) |
| EDUC 514: Management and Student Engagement (2) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) | ||
| EDUC 544: Sociocultural Foundations of Education (2) | |||
| EDUC 520: Issues of Child Abuse & Neglect (1) | |||
| SPED 580: Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (2) | |||
| SPED 912: Team Building & Collaboration (2) | |||
| SPED 910: Foundations, Assessment, Evaluation (3) | |||
| SPED 914: Procedures for Students with Mild Disabilities (3) | |||
| SPED 917: Severe & Profound Disabilities (2) | |||
| SPED 915: Behavioral Disabilities (3) | |||
| SPED 911: Developmental Disabilities (2) | |||
| SPED 921: Autism (1) | |||
| SPED 916: Issues in Early Childhood Special Education (2) | |||
| Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial (1)* |
*Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial fulfills the required prerequisite of Pacific Northwest History/STI via a CE credit that is taken in the first summer if it has not previously been taken.
The remaining coursework is to be finished within 3 years of the start of the program:
EDUC 528: Reading and Writing Across the K-8 Curriculum (2)
EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2)
EDUC 563A: Application of Technology Tools for Teachers (2)
EPSY 566: Advanced Cognition, Development, & Learning (2)
Alternative Route MAE, Secondary and Special Education Certification
One-year program, June to June
| Summer Semester (June – August) | Fall Semester (September – December) | J-term (January) | Spring Semester (February – May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students can expect to be in EDUC classes all day Monday to Thursday with the occasional Friday or Saturday class. SPED courses are in the evenings. Please consult the summer schedule for specific times. | Classes are once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the J-term schedule for specific times. | Required for master’s degree, not required for certification. Classes are once a week in the evening and Saturdays. The internship schedule varies. Please consult the J-term schedule for specific times. | The full-time student teaching schedule varies. One seminar course on Saturdays. Please consult the spring schedule for specific times. |
| 5 courses (10 credits) – 500 Level | 8 courses (18 credits) – 900 Level (Continuing Education coursework) | EDUC 561: Instructional Methodology for Secondary Teachers (4) | EDUC 529: Reading and Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum (2) | EDUC 563B: Integrating Seminar: Internship (4) |
| EDUC 510: Teaching Reading and Language Arts (3) | SPED 520: Teaching Students with Special Needs (2) | ||
| EDUC 514: Management and Student Engagement (2) | EDUC 568: Internship in Teaching (6) | ||
| EDUC 520: Issues of Child Abuse and Neglect (1) | |||
| EDUC 544: Sociocultural Foundations of Education (2) | |||
| SPED 580: Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (2) | |||
| SPED 912: Team Building & Collaboration (2) | |||
| SPED 910: Foundations, Assessment, Evaluation (3) | |||
| SPED 914: Procedures for Students with Mild Disabilities (3) | |||
| SPED 917: Severe and Profound Disabilities (2) | |||
| SPED 915: Behavioral Disabilities (3) | |||
| SPED 911: Developmental Disabilities (2) | |||
| SPED 921: Autism (1) | |||
| SPED 916: Issues in Early Childhood Special Education (2) | |||
| Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial (1)* |
*Pacific Northwest History/Since Time Immemorial fulfills the required prerequisite of Pacific Northwest History/STI via a CE credit that is taken in the first summer if it has not previously been taken.
The remaining coursework is to be finished within 3 years of the start of the program:
EDUC 529: Reading & Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum (2)
EDUC 556: Critical Issues in Secondary Teaching (2)
EDUC 562: Schools and Society (2)
EDUC 563A: Application of Technology Tools for Teachers (2)
EPSY 566: Advanced Cognition, Development, & Learning (2)
COURSES
EDUC 510 : Teaching Reading and Language Arts
Investigates how children learn to read, improve their fluency, and strengthen their vocabulary and comprehension. Includes required reading tutoring practicum. (3)
EDUC 514 : Management and Student Engagement
Introduces commonly used engagement and management strategies for increasing academic achievement. Includes a 15 hour practicum. (2)
EDUC 520 : Current Issues of Child Abuse and Neglect
Issues of child abuse, neglect, harassment, and violence. Includes identification and reporting procedures, and the legal and professional responsibilities of all mandated reporters. (1)
EDUC 528 : Reading and Writing Across the K-8 Curriculum
Investigates genres of contemporary children’s literature and how to develop a personal repertoire of reading material for classroom use. Also examines strategies for teaching writing in K-8 classroom. (2)
EDUC 529 : Reading and Writing Across the Secondary Curriculum
Explores strategies for integrating young adult reading materials and written work and reading and writing instruction in all secondary content areas. (2)
EDUC 544 : Sociocultural Foundations of Education
Examines the purposes of K-12 schools, the root causes of the achievement gap, and the ways accomplished teachers adapt to the changing sociocultural context of schooling. (2)
EDUC 556 : Critical Issues in Secondary Teaching
Introduces what successful secondary teachers know and are able to do in the areas of curriculum and assessment, instructional methods, and classroom management. (2)
EDUC 561 : Instructional Methodologies for Secondary Teachers
This course will introduce the instructional methodologies being used currently in secondary schools, including curriculum design, instructional strategies, the use of assessments, and specific methodologies for content area instruction. (4)
EDUC 562 : Schools and Society
Individual and cooperative study of the socio-cultural and cultural, political, legal, historical, and philosophical foundations of current practices of schooling in America. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.A.E./Cert program or consent of instructor. (3)
EDUC 563A : Integrating Seminar: Technology Embedded Instructional Design
Students work cooperatively and individually to integrate education course work, field experience, and individual perspective during graduate degree programs. May be repeated for credit. (2)
EDUC 563B : Integrating Seminar: Internship
A seminar focusing on development of professionalism and competence in inquiry and reflective practice with opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills related to the complexities of teaching. (2-4)
EDUC 564 : The Arts, Mind, and Body
An exploration of methods to facilitate creativity and meaning-making in the classroom through visual, musical, non-verbal/physical movement, and dramatic arts. (2)
EDUC 565 : Elementary Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies
Practice designing, implementing, and assessing lessons and units that integrate reading, language arts, and social studies content in K-8 classrooms. Introduces exemplary reading, language arts, and social studies classroom materials and examines what successful classroom managers in K-8 classrooms know and are able to do. (2)
EDUC 566 : Elementary Math and Science
Practice designing, implementing, and assessing math and science lessons and units in K-8 classrooms. Introduces exemplary math and science classroom materials and examines what successful classroom managers in K-8 classrooms know and are able to do. (2-4)
EDUC 568 : Internship in Teaching
Internship in classroom settings. Fourteen weeks of teaching under the direct supervision of cooperating teachers and university supervisors. Designed for students in the M.A.E./Cert program. (6)
SPED 520 : Teaching Students with Special Needs
Introduction and overview of services for students with special needs at all levels. Includes procedural and substantive legal issues in special education, program modification, and classroom management. (2)
SPED 580 : Foundations and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
This course is designed to build a strong foundational understanding of the various issues related to special education and provide ways to apply strategies aimed at building inclusive, supportive, and positive classroom environments that are characterized by quality differentiated instruction. (2)
SPED 588 : Legal, Ethical, and Administrative Issues in Special Education
Investigation of special education administrative practices, pupil placement procedures, student staffing, program reimbursement procedures, and federal funding models. (2)