The UW College of Education and UW Professional & Continuing Education are partnering to offer the Native Education Certificate Program for educators launching August 17-19, 2020. It is designed to cultivate the educators’ abilities to create meaningful and effective relationships with Native American students, families, and communities through the perspective of community-based teaching. The 2-year hybrid program will consist of online courses combined with a 3-day Summer Institute on the UW campus.

All those invested in improving educational relationships with Native American students, families, and communities. We encourage applications from all professionals in the education field as well as people who work closely with, or in, Native communities and their governments. Both formal and informal educators are welcome to apply.

The Native Education Certificate Program seeks to emphasize building cultural partnerships between communities and community-based educators. We will also explore how to establish relevant community-based tools for working with colleagues, communities, and students. Educators will develop the expertise to engage Native students, families, and communities’ knowledge in instruction to help Native students thrive with pride in school.

Participants have found various options for funding tuition for the certificate program. Participants can check with their employer, school district or organization to see if there are professional development funds available to help fund tuition. In addition, grants may be available, especially those offering support for those who work with Native programs. Also, many tribes offer their tribal citizens higher education assistance. An individual can also elect to pay out-of-pocket or use a credit card.

The certificate program seeks to help create educational experiences where Native American students can prosper. The main benefits are developing an understanding of tribal culture and traditions while aligning work and career with Native communities and participants building on wisdom. Additionally, the certificate program offers significant professional development opportunities by offering credit towards continuing education and professional development that can lead to career advancement.

Completion of the certificate results in 10 graduate level credits earned over the course of two years at 5 credits each.

The Native Education Certificate Program only offers academic credits. For information on applying academic credit towards the maintenance of a Professional Administrator Certificate, visit the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/ClockhoursFAQ.aspx 

Considering many participants work full-time, there will be a graduated emphasis of courses during the program that will create allowances to work at your own pace over an allotted timeframe.

The three-day Summer Institute is the only time when participants will be on campus. The rest of the time, participants will work online and in smaller cohorts within their context over a 2-year timeframe. Courses are online and can be operated from home or with a cohort group at your place of employment, or anywhere Internet connections are available.

The 10-credit certificate cost per credit is $2,500 per year or $5,000 for completion of certificate in the two years. This amount is much less than typical graduate level credits. Typical student technology and registration fees also apply.

No, all books and materials are available in the online Canvas courses. Those living outside of the King County area may need to stay overnight during the 3-day Summer Institute held on the UW Seattle campus thus may incur lodging expenses.

No, the tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state residences.

The Summer Institute is primarily held at the wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House. This interactive experience allows participants to meet other cohort members and become familiar with the components of the online program.

The culminating project allows participants to experientially work in collaborative engagement with a project of their choice that incorporates learned content in your profession.