The Alternative Routes to Certification (ARC) program at Seattle Pacific University integrates

residency teacher certification with a Master of Arts degree. This program prepares students who have a bachelor's degree to become instructors. Throughout this full-time program, ARC students learn about classroom instruction and management strategies, the nature of students and society, and teaching as a profession.

The certification component of the program is a one year, internship-based program of study leading to recommendation for Washington State Residency Certification. The master's component may be completed during the summer following the certification component, or it may be completed after the student begins a teaching career.

Students who enter the ARC program with a master's degree will only need to complete the certification component and EDU 6085 to receive a second master's degree. Paraprofessionals, Instructional Assistants and conditionally certified teachers are encouraged to apply to the Alternative Routes to Certification Program as they may be able to use their positions as internships.

Program Highlights:
Students begin in summer with an intensive, on-campus learning academy. Classroom topics provide a background in teaching methods, classroom management, and professional teaching issues. The personalized teacher development plan is written during this time.

Students continue throughout the year with field-based, online, and traditional classes. The traditional on-campus classes meet one night a week from approximately 4:30 - 9:30 . The online courses allow students to engage in virtual learning and benefit from asynchronous discussion formats. Field-based classes allow students to observe course concepts applied in the classroom and to engage professionals in learning-focused discussions.

For their internship, students are paired with a mentor teacher and conduct supervised teaching in a school setting for an entire school year (3 quarters, September - June, 5 days a week). The internship begins with an extended period of observation, one-on-one instruction, and small group work. As the year progresses, the intern is responsible for individual lesson and unit instruction plans. By winter-spring quarter, the intern has assumed responsibility of the complete instructional load, including assistance with after school projects and planning.

Advantages of the ARC program :

• Washington State Residency Certification in one year
• Progression through the program as a cohort
• Field-based experiences with diverse learners
• Personalized Teacher Development Plan
• Personalized advisement and mentoring
• Guaranteed enrollment in certification courses
• Technology embedded in the curriculum
• Master of Arts degree in teaching

Program Outline:

I. Initial Teacher Certification Component - 45 credits

   Orientation Element (7 credits)

EDU 6918 Introduction to Teaching (4)

EDU 6139 Leadership in Teaching (3)

   Foundations Element (11 credits)

EDU 6120 American Education: Past & Present (3)

EDU 6132 Student as Learner (3)

EDU 6133 Diversity in America (3)

EDU 6134 Professional Issues: Child Abuse and Others (2)

   Application Element

Secondary ARC (13 Credits):

   EDU 6135 General Teaching Methods (4)

   EDU 6130 Classroom Management (3)

   EDU 6613 Standards Based Assessment (3)

   EDU 6136 Content Area Methods (3)

Elementary ARC (16 credits):

   EDU 6135   General Teaching Methods (4)

   EDU 6130   Classroom Management (3)

   EDRD 6529 Teaching Reading: Strategies of Instruction (3)

   EDMA 6432 Elementary Mathematics (3)

   EDU 6136    Content Area Methods (3)

Special Education ARC (16 credits):*

   EDU 6135   General Teaching Methods (4)

   EDU 6130   Classroom Management (3)

   EDSP 6651 Special Education Assessment (3)

   EDSP 6642 Individual Education Programs (3)

   EDSP 6958 Issues in Special Education (3)

* Candidates interested in pursuing a Special Education Endorsement will need to demonstrate knowledge in critical content area(s) in order to meet federal Highly Qualified legislation. Please contact Dr. Greg Gelderman at (206)281-2376 or geldeg@spu.edu if you are interested in becoming a special education teacher.

   Site Experiences Element

Secondary ARC:

   EDU 6949 Internship (14)

Elementary ARC:

   EDU 6949 Internship (11)

Special Education ARC:

   EDU 6949 Internship (11)

II. Master's Degree Component - 15 credits

  Specific Course Requirements (12 credits)

EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3)

EDU 6526 Survey of Instructional Strategies (3)

EDU 6982 Educational Inquiry (3)

EDTC       Any 6000 level tech course (3)

   Elective Requirement (3 credits @ 6000-level only) Choose from:

EDU 6524   Approaches to Curriculum Design (3)   Or

EDU 6655   Human Development and Principles of Instruction (3)  Or

EDSP 6644 Educating Exceptional Students (3)  Or

EDU 6600   Communication and Collaboration: Parents, Colleagues, Commun(3)  Or

EDRD 6530 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (3)  Or

EDRD 6533 Writing: Process to Product (3)  Or

Edxx 6xxx Other 3-credit 6000-level course with Program Chair approval

Application Requirements

• Submit a transcript for bachelor's degree verification.
• Meet endorsement requirements for the desired teaching area.
• Meet university graduate admission requirements, including the submission of GRE or MAT scores. However, the GRE or MAT requirement is waived for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher or with a master's degree.
• Be able to participate in a year long, full-time internship.
• Pass the WEST-B basic competency test.
• Pass the new WEST-E competency test. The WEST-E website provides an explanation on which test to choose. Please check with the Certification Coordinator (281-2214) to verify you are taking the correct test. (Click here for schedule.)

• Write a personal statement clearly summarizing personal strengths, knowledge of subject matter, leadership and mentoring skills, and description of prior work with children or adolescents.
• Submit a professional résumé and 2 letters of recommendation.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR THE 2010 ARC PROGRAM IS FEBRUARY 14, 2010.  The early decision deadline is December 1, 2009.

ARC applicants who meet all admission requirements, including an initial screening of their complete application file, will be interviewed on March 20, 2010.  All applicants should make arrangements to be available for interviews on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from approximately 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at Seattle Pacific University. All correspondence regarding the interview process will be carried out by email using the address provided in the application. Please set your email filters accordingly.

The certification component of the program costs $16,475 in 2009-2010. Financial Aid is available for qualified applicants through Student Financial Services.

Robert Noyce Scholarship Program

Want up to $10,000 toward your tuition? Already pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or math degree? Ready to make a difference in students’ lives by teaching in a high-need district?

The preferred application deadline for the 2010-2011 year is April 1, 2010.

For additional ARC program information, please contact Ted Hiemstra.