Teacher Pathways
We provide early admission to our graduate school and a way to earn your bachelor of arts degree plus your master of arts in teaching (MAT) degree—and licensure!—in five years. Our nationally recognized teacher education graduate programs are the perfect preparation for a career in education.
Why Choose the Teacher Pathways Program?
Teacher Pathways is a partnership between Lewis & Clark’s College of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School of Education and Counseling that is designed to support students in becoming teachers. We provide extensive content preparation grounded in research and best practices, along with nurturing relationships and encouragement, which helps our graduates find success in their first years of teaching and supports them throughout their career. Here, you will find:
- Dynamic learning environments that foster caring, equity, and inclusion and promote diverse perspectives.
- Classroom experiences characterized by intellectual debate, a rigorous learning atmosphere, intellectual growth, and a dedication to social justice.
- Educational experiences that cultivate connections between learners and their communities.
- School and classroom environments designed to eliminate the impact of societal and institutional barriers to academic success and personal growth for all students.
A Direct Path to Graduate School
Undergraduate Curriculum
The curriculum at Lewis & Clark offers a great deal of flexibility to students interested in teacher education. If you are interested in teaching at a middle or high school level, we recommend majoring in the content area you want to teach (art, English language arts, math, science, or social studies).
You can register for Teacher Pathways as an incoming or current student (complete the interest form below). While in Teacher Pathways, you have access to enroll in undergraduate education courses with a social-justice focus. These courses are taught by graduate faculty—allowing you to establish relationships with the very professors who you will learn from as a graduate student—and will introduce you to educational theory and practice. The pathway also provides participants with the unique opportunity to attend events focused on education and social justice alongside current MAT students, and to experience a hands-on practicum at a local K-12 public school.
Graduate School Curriculum
Many writers and researchers have stated that a full year of student teaching is the most effective preparation for beginning teachers. At Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, you work with the same teacher through the entire school year, learning how to skillfully begin the year, transition into and out of major holiday breaks, and end the school year. Administrators report that hiring one of our graduates is like hiring a second-year teacher.
Our graduate programs include significant coursework addressing students whose first language is not English, students who have special needs, and students whose reading ability is considerably below grade level. We focus on teaching the whole child and nurturing all learners. All students learn classroom management techniques in a dedicated class. Additionally, preservice students can chose a degree program that includes an ESOL endorsement.
Elementary Teaching Secondary Teaching
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Five-Year Jumpstart to an Education Career
Lewis & Clark’s Teacher Pathways program supports undergraduate students who dream of becoming educators, offering a BA, MAT, and licensure in just five years.
Complement Your Education With One of These Majors
The most popular majors for our Teacher Pathways students are psychology, philosophy, and sociology and anthropology.
Meet the Teacher Pathways Advisor
If you have questions or would like to talk with Cari about your plan to include the Teacher Pathways Program in your academic journey, please reach out by email (carissazall@lclark.edu).
Carissa Zall More about CarissaIt’s such a gift to be able to connect with undergraduates and stay in relationship with them all the way through graduate school and beyond.
Find Your People
Teacher Pathways provides participants with the unique opportunity to attend events focused on education and social justice alongside current MAT students, and to experience a hands-on practicum at a local K-12 public school. Our graduate programs are structured on the cohort model, so you work intimately with a small group of creative, committed colleagues who bring with them a wide range of life experiences and a dedication to becoming change agents in schools. The deep relationships among cohort members are often a major support for beginning teachers. Lewis & Clark’s Career Center also provides many opportunities for students planning to continue in this field, such as volunteer work with community-based educational organizations.
During your first years of teaching, we invite you to return to campus and discuss your teaching with your colleagues and faculty. The New Teacher Seminars are a direct outgrowth of our belief in the power of mentoring new teachers and supporting them in their first years of teaching.
After Lewis & Clark
Here is what some L&C graduates are doing with their MATs:
- Chloe Burton BA ’18, MAT ’19 is an admission associate for Friends School of Baltimore, Maryland.
- Carly Stevenson BA ’21, MAT ’22 is teaching art at Stoller Middle School in Portland, Oregon.
- Bee McNally BA ’22, MAT ’23 is teaching math at NW Academy in Portland, Oregon.
- Madi Pastores BA ’23, MAT ’24 is teaching social studies at Aloha High School in Beaverton, Oregon.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
We make sure that faculty at the graduate school have more time for individualized work with students and time to work in schools, conduct research, write, and present findings at conferences by requiring that they teach fewer semester hours than other private colleges. We employ faculty who have many years of experience in K-12 classrooms, and who know intimately the challenges and joys of teaching.
Invest in Yourself
A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
Lilia Ibarra More about LiliaFrom my first encounter during my online interview, I felt welcomed with open arms by the faculty’s warmth, which assured me that Lewis & Clark’s program would nurture both my personal and professional growth in a supportive way.
Betsie Droukas More about BetsieLewis & Clark also made it easy for me to fit this program in my busy schedule and still keep my day job.
Rhianna Camacho More about RhiannaFinding an institution that aligned with my values was a top priority. Ultimately, Lewis & Clark’s firm commitment to social justice and the integration of equitable practices into all aspects of education confirmed that this was the right place for me.
More Graduate Student Profiles →
Lewis & Clark Teacher Pathways FAQ
Office of the Dean of the College is located in room 201 of Albany on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 47
email casdean@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7100
Dean Bruce Suttmeier