Apply Master in Teaching

Become a Student's Favorite Teacher

The Evergreen State College is a Top-Rated Masters College located in the Pacific Northwest. Engage in transformative education with our culturally responsive curriculum and create equitable learning for the next generation.

Qualities of a Strong Candidate

Experience in building relationships with students, families and community members, including experience with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
Commitment to a teaching career in a public K–12 setting and the challenging and collaborative work of building classrooms of brilliance, joy, and justice
Interest in the intellectual and social development of young people
Recommended: A minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours. For Evergreen graduates, strong evaluations demonstrating quality of work, collaboration, commitment to learning and growth.

Summer 2025 Cohort

Applications for the 2025-26 Cohort open Summer 2024.

To learn more request information or email mit@evergreen.edu

Request Information

Application Timelines

Spring 2024 Cohort	Application Deadline: February 9, 2024 This is the final application deadline for the Spring 2024 cohort.
Summer 2025 Cohort	Applications Open: Summer 2024 The application cycle for the Summer 2025 cohort will begin Summer 2024. In-person and online information sessions will begin January 2024. Get updates about the next application cycle.

Spring 2024 Cohort

Application Deadline: February 9, 2024

This is the final application deadline for the Spring 2024 cohort.

Summer 2025 Cohort

Applications Open: Summer 2024

The application cycle for the Summer 2025 cohort will begin Summer 2024. In-person and online information sessions will begin January 2024.

Get updates about the next application cycle.

Apply Online

Pay the $50.00 non-refundable application fee by credit card, debit card, or e-check.

Your application is only considered complete when we receive your online application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, prompt responses, resume, test scores and application fee.

Education that meets you where you are

In addition to the traditional application for our graduate degree program, we also offer options for dual-degree and alternate routes for current district employees and licensed teachers.

Recommendations for Applicants

Considerations for preparing your application materials

Are you planning to become a teacher? Here are some considerations for planning/examining your content preparation:

Identify the endorsement area you are interested in. An endorsement area refers to the subject area and age group of students you would like to teach. Learn more about Teaching Endorsements
Review the competencies (knowledge and skills) that Washington state looks for in a public school teacher with the endorsements you are considering.
Assess your preparation for teaching the content area(s) for your chosen endorsement:
- For current undergraduates, consider working with an academic advisor to help you plan your academic and volunteer experience to help you skills and abilities in your chosen endorsement area.
- Consider how have your educational, work and life experiences have prepared you to teach in this endorsement area.
- Identify specific evidence to illustrate the competencies recommended for your endorsement.
- Identify the competencies where you may need to develop or deepen your knowledge and skill.

Admissions Requirements

Transcripts, admissions documents, tests and more

These are admissions requirements for all applicants. Please keep in mind some applicants - such as international or alternate route students - may require additional application materials.

Bachelor’s Degree
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an approved institute of higher education.
Current Evergreen undergraduates applying for dual-degree admittance must be completing their bachelors degree during Summer Quarter. Review specific application criteria for dual-degree applicants for more information.
Personal Statement (at least 500 words)
What about this program’s focus in Multilingual Education appeals to you? How has your experience and observations in K-12 classrooms informed your decision to be a teacher?
Review this article for an overview of Multilingual Education: Educating English Language Learners
Completed Endorsement Checklist
The checklist is used to identify where applicants demonstrate foundational knowledge in their endorsement area and where they require further study. Fill out the checklist based on your chosen endorsement.
- Foundational knowledge is your endorsement area can be demonstrated through coursework, life experience, and test scores.
- While the program has an emphasis on multilingual learning knowledge of a language other than English is not required.
- Evergreen students and alumni: check credit equivalencies for programs you have taken and/or are planning to take when completing the checklist.
Endorsement Essay (300-500 words)
Using the information from your completed Endorsement Checklist, describe how are best prepared to teach your intended endorsement. Consider where you may need additional education or experience to prepare for teaching this endorsement and describe your plans for developing your knowledge.
Classroom Hours (minimum 40 hours)
At least 40 hours of volunteer or paid work in a classroom setting with youth of K-12 age in a U.S. public school. Up to 20 of the 40 required hours can take place in a K-12 classroom at a non-U.S. school or U.S. private school. Document your experience in an Hours Log Sheet (Word)
For help with connecting with school districts for classroom observations, reach out to us at mit@evergreen.edu
- Applicants who have not met the required hours may still apply. Applicants may be conditionally admitted and will have until March 1, 2025 to submit required hours.
Attempt at least one content specific WEST-E/NES
Choose only one content area endorsement to include with your application. Keep in mind some endorsements may require multiple tests. Admitted applicants who score above the threshold scores but do not pass the exam will be required to complete a case-by-case exception petition.
To be considered for admission, scores must meet these thresholds:
- At least 190 for NES tests (passing score: 220).
- At least 210 for WEST-E tests (passing score: 240).
To see which test or tests correspond to your endorsement, refer to the Teaching Endorsements.
Attempt all three sections of the WEST-B exam: Reading, Writing, and Math
A passing score of this exam is not required for admission. SAT or ACT scores can be used to meet this requirement regardless of score. If your SAT or ACT scores do not include a Writing score, you will need to take the WEST-B Writing test only.
If you have SAT or ACT scores available, reach out to mit@evergreen.edu for how to submit your scores.
Resume
Your resume should provide specific details about all of your experiences working with young people, especially those from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
Two letters of recommendation
Provide two professional references willing to provide letters of recommendation. References may be recent instructors or other professional contacts. References will be contacted to submit a letter of recommendation addressing one or more of the following criteria:
- Experience working with children
- Academic work and writing ability
- Interpersonal skills
- Job-related experiences
References who do not receive the letter submission form should email letters of recommendation directly to graduateadmissions@evergreen.edu
Transcripts
Applicants must submit transcripts from all degree and non-degree bearing institutions of higher education. Applicants must submit official transcripts from the college or university that conferred or will confer their bachelors degree. All other transcripts may be unofficial.
If you have taken courses or graduated from Evergreen you will need to request an official transcript from Evergreen. You can order your Evergreen transcript online through Parchment.
Your transcript must verify the award of a bachelor’s degree. A final transcript must be submitted before classes start to gain regular admission status. Students with non-English transcripts must have them translated into English and certified by a translation agency.
- Transcripts from any university attended outside of the United States or Canada must be evaluated for U.S. college credit and degree equivalences by an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Institution of Foreign Credential Services.
A transcript is considered official if it bears the official seal and signature of the issuing institution and is either:
- Sent directly by the issuing institution
- Delivered by the applicant, as long as it’s still in the issuing institution’s original sealed envelope.
Evergreen accepts e-transcripts from colleges that are registered members with Docufide, National Student Clearinghouse, Naviance, Parchment and Scrip-Safe International. If the e-transcript system asks for an email address, use graduateadmissions@evergreen.edu.
Otherwise, mail or deliver transcripts to:
The Evergreen State College
Graduate Admissions
Attention: Master in Teaching
Evans Hall, 1200
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia, WA 98505

Dual-Degree Applicants

Available to current Evergreen undergraduate students

Have completed at least one quarter of Evergreen undergraduate coursework.
On track to graduate with 180 undergraduate credits towards a bachelor's degree prior to enrolling in the Fall Quarter of the Graduate program (eligible to graduate in spring or summer). Check your Academic Progress page in My Evergreen to confirm your credit status.
Transfer students must complete their final 45 credits at Evergreen, which can include the 12 undergraduate credits in the graduate program.

Applying to the dual degree program requires a different application link. To check for eligibility for the dual degree option and request the application link, reach out to mit@evergreen.edu.

Alternate Route Applicants

Available to bachelor degree holding district employees and conditionally licensed teachers

Earned a bachelors degree (learn more about specific criteria in Application Requirements)
Currently employed by a participating WA school district as a district employee or conditionally licensed teacher
Partnering School Districts
- Shelton School District
- North Thurston Public Schools

International Students

International applicants have additional admission criteria

Additional admission criteria for international applicants:

English language proficiency
Every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
- A Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago or the United Kingdom.
- One of the following minimum English language proficiency test scores demonstrated through submission of official scores at the time of application:
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language paper test: 600
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language computerized test: 250
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language online test: 100
  - International English Language Testing System: 7.5
Transcripts
Transcripts from any university attended outside of the United States or Canada or the Philippines must be evaluated for U.S. college credit and degree equivalencies by an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Institution of Foreign Credential Services.
Tests - If residing in the U.S., take all required tests.
Most of these tests are now available at multiple sites overseas, so please make an effort to take them if you are within a reasonable distance from your current location.

If you cannot take the tests prior to application, notify the program at mit@evergreen.edu. You will be expected to take the tests in the U.S. as soon as can be arranged.
Finances
International students must have evidence of having at least $49,695 USD to pay all expenses for one academic year's enrollment at Evergreen. This estimate includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, personal expenditures and transportation (excluding travel to and from U.S.).
Admissions will work with admitted students on this paperwork.

Required Tests

Washington State Testing Requirements

You must attempt a basic skills assessment and one or more content area assessments to be admitted. Washington State requires that you attempt the WEST-B and complete WEST-E/NES tests prior to being recommended for certification. See the Washington Educator Skills Tests site for registration, preparation materials and more details.

There are restrictions on how often you can take the tests and how often scores are reported, so plan ahead.

Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B)

The WEST-B has three sections: reading, writing, and math. You can take the sections separately or all together. Aspiring teachers have three options for satisfying the Washington State basic skills assessment requirement:

Attempt the WEST-B
Submit SAT scores
Submit ACT scores

Washington Educator Skills Tests-Endorsements (WEST-E)

Washington state defines subject areas for teaching as areas of endorsement. Aspiring teachers take a multiple-choice test (WEST-E or NES) for each endorsement they choose.

A passing score for a WEST-E test is 240 and a passing score for a NES test is 220. Foreign language endorsements have additional testing requirements. Foreign language endorsements require:

ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or computerized interview (OPIC) and the Written Proficiency Test (WPT) from Language Testing International.
Proficiencies must be passed at the advanced low level.

Endorsement	Level	WEST-E Code
Biology	5–12	NES 305
Chemistry	5–12	NES 306
Earth and Space Science	5–12	NES 307
Elementary Education	K–8	NES 102 & NES 103
English Language Arts	5–12	NES 301
English Language Learners	P–12	051
History	5–12	027
Mathematics	5–12	NES 304
Middle Level Humanities	4–9	052 & 053
Middle Level Math	4–9	NES 203
Middle Level Science	4–9	NES 204
Physics	5–12	NES 308
Social Studies	5–12	028
Theatre Arts	P–12	055
Visual Arts	P–12	NES 503
World Languages: French, Japanese, or Spanish	P–12	100*

Out-of-State Applicants

If you currently live outside of Washington state, you may be able to take the tests in your area. Visit the Washington Educator Skills Test website for locations and availability.

Washington state also allows certain substitutes for the WEST-B, such as Praxis CORE and CBEST. If you live out of state when you submit your application visit the Professional Educator Standards Board website for a complete list. You are still required to take the WEST-E or NES for your content exam.