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Am I a good fit for the First Peoples' education program?
- Do you care about cultural pluralism, social justice and educational change?
- Are you interested in working with Native populations?
- Do you care about people and want to continue working in an educational field?
If you said yes to the above questions, this program is right for you.
Do I have to be Native American to enroll?
No, you do not have to be Native American to attend. The program attracts a variety of people who are interested in working with Native children and communities. About 60 percent of the students in the current cohort are Native.
Are the First Peoples' education programs offered each year?
No. They are offered every two years.
Do I need direct experience in a PK-12 classroom to apply?
No. Education experience can encompass facilitating workshops, seminars and/or other learning experiences, including adult education in a community college, museum or community organization.
How long are the teacher preparation programs and the M.A.Ed. program?
You must earn 96 credits for each teacher preparation program. Both programs take two years to complete. You must earn 48 credits for the M.A.Ed. program, which takes 18 months to complete. All three programs are full time.
When are classes?
In general, classes are held Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and occasional Saturdays. All classes are held at the Muckleshoot Tribal College in Auburn.
Will I collaborate with my peers in my classes?
Antioch emphasizes collaborative learning through its cohort-based education philosophy. A cohort is a group of approximately 20 students taking all of their classes together. You work with and learn from your peers throughout the duration of the First Peoples’ education programs.
Can you work full time while in this program?
Yes, most students are working full time while they are in the program.
What employment advantages does a master’s degree offer?
Employers look favorably upon an M.A.Ed. degree. Your degree-related experiences will enhance your professional practice and your leadership opportunities. If you have a specific discipline, such as math or history, you may be eligible to teach at a two-year college. You also may be considered for academic advising positions or other administrative employment in education.
Is there a thesis requirement for the M.A.Ed. option of this program?
During the final quarter of the program, you complete an inquiry project, integrating your academic and professional interests in Native culture and education. You work directly with your faculty adviser to determine the length and form of the project.
Students in the M.A.Ed. program have conducted inquiry projects on a range of topics, from teacher/action research in their own classrooms and schools to understanding the best practices of exemplary educators and advocates for education. Recent projects include the following:
- Developing tribal cultural standards
- How can Native American learning styles be integrated into an emergent literacy curriculum?
- The boarding school experience
- Dismantling cultural ctereotypes by incorporating diversity and multicultural education into the classroom
- Good hearts and minds (regarding spirituality in the classroom)
- School community climate
- Coast Salish culture and language integration within a tribal school classroom
Is Financial Aid Available?
Some scholarships are available specifically to Native American students or those teaching in schools serving American Indian students. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 206-268-4010 or financialaid@antiochseattle.edu.
Enrolled Muckleshoot members may be eligible for a full scholarship for tuition and living expenses. For more information, contact the Muckleshoot Scholarship Office at 253-939-3311.
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