City University Launches New MIT Program.

Everett Site First To Offer MIT With Special Education Endorsement

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Special Education teachers are the highest in demand in the state. City University is responding to this need by launching a Masters in Teaching (MIT) with a Special Education Endorsement program at its Everett, Wash. site. The university has offered an MIT K-8 for several years at various locations, but the growing need and requests for the MIT with the Special Education endorsement has led to the launch of this new program.

According to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) the percentage of students in special education classes statewide has risen every year since 2001. Currently, 12.4% of the state's K-12 students are in special education programs. The Everett School District is tracking slightly higher than the state average with 12.8% of the district's K-12 students in special education programs. OSPI also notes that special education continues to show a substantial shortage and concerted efforts are needed to meet a growing demand.

"It is especially meaningful to be taking the MIT degree to Everett. Our very first offering in Special Education certification and endorsement was a B.A. in Education in Everett, in cooperation with the Everett School District. As a result of that program, the paraprofessionals who entered it are now serving as professional teachers in the district," comments Margaret Davis, Dean of City University's Albright School of Education. Davis continues, "We know we are responding to school district needs, providing highly qualified candidates to fill positions that serve children who are in need. Upon completion, 99% to 100% of our graduates are in their own special education classrooms the year they graduate."

Currently, 27 students are enrolled in the program with half focusing on K-8 and the other half focusing on K-12 Special Education. "Students are taking a full class load with 10-12 credits per quarter, but because of the flexibility of our program they are able to take these classes on Saturday allowing them to work full-time," comments Stephen Smith, Senior Faculty Advisor at the City University Everett site.

About City University

Founded in 1973 in Seattle, Washington, City University is a private, not-for-profit university with over 41,000 alumni worldwide. City University's goal is to change lives for good by offering high quality and relevant online and in-class education options to any person in the world with a desire to achieve. The university is comprised of three schools: The School of Management, The Gordon Albright School of Education, and The School of Arts and Sciences. Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, City University offers classes at locations throughout Washington, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, and China.