IslandWood Graduate Program
Become an Educator for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future
Original Header – Graduate Program in Environmental Education & Equity
The IslandWood Graduate Program in Education for Environment and Community is a 10-month immersive residency in justice-oriented environmental education; experiential, student-centered learning; and culturally-responsive teaching and curriculum development.
Offered in partnership with the University of Washington College of Education, our graduate residency program runs from late-August to mid-June and is based on our 250-acre campus on Bainbridge Island, WA, a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. The program includes graduate-level course work in environmental and justice-oriented education (equity and anti-bias work), biweekly outdoor teaching experiences, and 1:1 mentoring.
Our program is based on the following philosophical foundation:
- Justice-oriented education involves examining our personal relationships to systems of oppression, developing asset-based understandings of the youth we work with, and leveraging youths’ cultural and linguistic resources to design inclusive teaching and learning environments.
- Knowledge of ecology and natural habitats is essential to creating healthier relationships between human communities and the natural world.
- Education is most successful when teachers honor the cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious diversity in their classroom.
- Meaningful education grows out of thoughtfully guided experiences and reflection.
- In learning communities, everyone can contribute as both teacher and student.
- An integrated, experiential curriculum combining science, technology, and the arts allows individuals with different learning styles and aptitudes to succeed.
- Education should help students balance their individuality with their responsibilities as members of human and natural communities.
- Environmental and experiential education is most effective when it relates to real-life experiences in the student’s home community.
- A sustainable future depends upon strengthening our respect for one another and the natural world.
We strive to contribute to a more diverse educator workforce that mirrors the demographics of our society. Our students come from a variety of life experiences and backgrounds and share a commitment to justice-oriented education. Here are some of the ways we support our students:
- Individualized Mentoring: You will be paired with a faculty or staff mentor. Weekly sessions create the space to talk about individual strengths and challenges.
- Financial Support: We offer low-cost, on-campus housing, a monthly stipend, and scholarship opportunities to help put our program in reach of all students.
- Diverse School Populations: You will teach students who reflect the full cultural and socio-economic diversity of our region.
- Networking Opportunities: We are intentional about fostering a strong campus community and will also help you develop your professional network.
- An Inclusive Learning Organization: We invite you to read our Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity statement
Our Partnership with the University of Washington College of Education
Our program is offered in partnership with top-ranked University of Washington College of Education, whose mission is to transform inequitable systems of education to create just, sustainable, and culturally-thriving democracies. The IslandWood Graduate Certificate completes the first year of a UW Master’s in Education and fulfills the prerequisites for application to the Master’s in Teaching in Elementary Education.
Offered through the Curriculum and Instruction program at the UW College of Education, students may choose to complete their M.Ed. with an emphasis in Teaching and Curriculum, or in Science Education. Most students finish their degrees with two additional quarters (six months) after their IslandWood year.
UW’s Curriculum and Instruction program focuses on the nature and interaction of curriculum, teaching, and learning. With a shared commitment to equity, democracy, and justice in education and society, the program employs diverse approaches to the teaching and learning of powerful knowledge.
Once at IslandWood, students can apply to the UW College of Education’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) for a Master’s and teacher certification in Elementary or Secondary Education. While our program fulfills prerequisites and can provide experiences that enhance your application to this highly competitive program, there is no guarantee of acceptance.
The UW’s TEP program has a strong social justice component and provides students with significant practical teaching experience in the Washington public school system. The Elementary Education program begins the summer after the IslandWood year and IslandWood coursework meets all prerequisites. The Secondary Education program begins the spring after the IslandWood year and prerequisites are determined on an individual basis.
While there are other ways to complete your MiT or earn a teacher certification in less time directly through the UW, IslandWood’s program can provide experience and skills that will help make you a competitive candidate in the MiT admission process.
Program Details
Discover the change you can make as an educator with graduate-level coursework in environmental and justice-oriented education (equity and anti-bias work), biweekly teaching experiences, and 1:1 mentoring.
Our graduate-level coursework includes topics related to:
- Educational philosophy, theory, and practice
- Culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies
- Curriculum Development
- Child Growth & Development
- Science Teaching Methodologies
- Inquiry-based approaches
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Natural History and Ecology
- Curriculum and Instruction Methods
- Advanced Instructional Strategies
- Garden and Arts Integration
Admissions
We are currently accepting applications for the 2021 – 2022 IslandWood Graduate Program cohort.
All students seeking admission to our program must apply and be accepted to both IslandWood AND to the University of Washington’s Master’s in Education Program. Applications to IslandWood and the University of Washington’s M.Ed. degree can be submitted concurrently. Letters of reference and transcripts must be submitted for both applications, which are processed through separate systems. Therefore, requesting these items at the same time may be more convenient for your recommenders.
Step 1. Apply to IslandWood
Application decisions cannot be made until all application materials have been received. Students are generally notified of their admission status within 4-6 weeks following receipt of their application.
Step 2: Apply to University of Washington’s (UW) Master’s in Education Program
When completing the UW online application:
- Select either the “M.Ed.-Curriculum and Instruction-Science Education (IslandWood)”- OR -“M.Ed.-Curriculum and Instruction-Teaching & Curriculum (IslandWood).” Applicants interested in the UW Master’s in Teaching (MiT) degree must start out as an M.Ed. student.
- Apply as a matriculated graduate student. Matriculation status means you intend to eventually earn a Master’s degree, can have up to 31 credits transferred towards the UW M.Ed. degree, and are eligible for federal student loans.
IslandWood’s Admissions Requirements:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (minimum 3.0 grade-point average preferred).
- Demonstrated interest or experience in culturally responsive teaching, environmental and social justice issues, experiential education, and working with youth.
- Please note that neither IslandWood or the University of Washington College of Education will require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for the 2021 admission cycle. All applicants have the option to self-report GRE scores within the application, if desired.
Deadlines for admission to the Fall 2021 quarter are as follows:
| IslandWood Priority Deadline | IslandWood Tuition Discount | UW Deadline | UW Admissions Decision |
| November 15, 2020 | $750 | November 15, 2020 | January 2021 |
| January 8, 2021 | $500 | January 8, 2021 | March 2021 |
| March 14, 2021 | $250 | May 1, 2021 | June 2021 |
| May 1, 2021 | $100 | May 1, 2021 | June 2021 |
| June 30, 2021 | N/A
|
June 30, 2021
|
Late July 2021
|
IslandWood provides equal opportunities to all applicants for admission without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Cost and Aid
We are committed to making graduate-level education accessible, and offer scholarships, service awards, and tuition discounts to applicants.
IslandWood offers a graduate program stipend to all enrolled students to help cover basic living expenses. The stipend can be spent by graduate students in any way they choose and is intended to help our students focus as much as possible on their learning and less on how to cover basic living expenses.
| For 2020 – 2021 Academic Year | ||
| 10 months on-campus | 10 months off-campus | |
| Tuition | $25,920 | $25,920 |
| Housing | $6,000 | N/A |
| *UW fees | ~$1,260 | ~$1,260 |
| TOTAL COST | ~$33,180 | ~$27,180 |
| Refundable deposit | $300 for housing and keys | $100 for keys |
| Non-refundable deposit
(applied toward tuition costs) Due upon commitment to hold student’s place. |
$1,000 | $1,000 |
* Students are responsible for service and activity fees charged by the University of Washington. For the IslandWood Graduate Program Class of 2020, these fees amounted to approximately $1,260 and are subject to change by the University of Washington.
** Applied toward tuition costs and due upon commitment to hold student’s place
Tuition includes:
- 10 graduate courses throughout the year
- Up to 31 credits toward the partnered M.Ed. program at the University of Washington. (These credits often transfer to other universities and colleges.)
- A year-long teaching practicum with extensive mentoring by education staff and faculty
- Applied learning workshops include topics such as cultural competency, local flora and fauna, art and garden education, and social-emotional learning.
- Low faculty/student ratio with extensive advising and mentoring
IslandWood offers the following scholarship opportunities to help put graduate level studies within reach of all students and to increase the diversity of the education field:
- Scholarships for candidates demonstrating financial need. We encourage qualified candidates to complete and submit the relevant sections of the IslandWood Aid application.
- Scholarships for candidates from underrepresented communities in the education field. We encourage qualified candidates to complete and submit the relevant sections of the IslandWood Aid application.
Students may also contact the University of Washington for more information on grants and scholarship opportunities for graduate students.
To make graduate-level education more accessible, we offer service awards to students affiliated (members, alumni, interns, staff, etc.) with service corps, military, and partner organizations, as well as teachers and paraprofessionals.
This following list is not comprehensive. To learn about eligibility and rates, or to inquire about organizations not listed here, please contact us at [email protected].
Education
- Teachers
- Paraprofessional educators
Service Corps
- AmeriCorps National
- Serve Washington
- AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)
- AmeriCorps VISTA
- FEMA Corps
- Peace Corps
- Teach for America
- City Year
- Student Conservation Association
- Washington Conservation Corps
- Veterans Conservation Corps
- Puget Sound Corps
- EarthCorps
- Food Corps
Military
- Active Duty
- Veterans
Undergraduate Institutions
- Antioch University
- University of Washington
Community Organizations
- College Success Foundation
- IslandWood
- Natural Leaders
- YMCA BOLD/GOLD
- Doris Duke Conservation Scholars
Once accepted and enrolled in the UW Master’s in Education degree program as a matriculated student you are eligible for federal financial aid.
Students wishing to receive federal financial aid through the UW are encouraged to complete the FAFSA application by January 15 or as soon as possible. Please contact the University of Washington’s Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) with specific questions regarding the financial aid process.
Opportunities to forgive, cancel, or discharge your loans are available through several programs, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness programs. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more info.
Paid on-campus work opportunities are available at IslandWood in various departments for all graduate students, regardless of financial need. Examples of on-campus employment opportunities include: blogging and photography, research assistant, lab assistant, art studio assistant, gear room assistant, garden assistants, facilities assistants, and event assistants.
Students will be invited to apply for employment during orientation training in September. The hourly wage for 2019-2020 graduate students is $15.00. Because employment is on top of meeting the responsibilities of being a full-time graduate student, most IslandWood graduate students work an average of 5hrs/week.
We can also help connect graduate students to off-campus work opportunities on Bainbridge Island. These opportunities commonly include childcare, house-sitting, pet-sitting, yard work, and other odd jobs.
The following websites offer searchable databases for scholarships. In addition, these sites include general information on applying for and receiving Financial Aid, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA is required for individuals seeking federal loans), and resources for students of color, students without documentation, and military veterans.
- UW College of Education Scholarships
- Human Rights Campaign LGBTQ Scholarships Database
- Pride Foundation Scholarship
- GoGrad lists scholarships for LGBTQ individuals, Women, and Veterans
- Scholarships for Women
- Scholarships.com various scholarships for underrepresented groups
- BestColleges.com
- Careeronestop.org
- Open Education Database
- Scholarships for Education Majors
- Fastweb
- Nitro
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OUR ALUMNI
MAKING THE WORLD BETTER
399 alumni who are building the capacity of youth to create a more equitable and sustainable future
WHERE OUR ALUMNI WORK
After graduation, our alumni work in a variety of different fields: 38% work in schools; 27% in nonprofit/public management and leadership positions; 18% in zoos, aquariums, and other learning centers; 8% in higher education; 3% in sustainable food management/gardening; and 7% in other fields.
Connect with Us
In our program, we intentionally focus on fostering strong relationships and a supportive learning community. This relationship-building starts the moment we connect. Let’s get started!
Our recruitment and administrative staff are also proud IslandWood Graduate Program alumni. In addition to being able to answer your questions from both an administrative and personal perspective, we can also connect you with a current student or alum pursuing your desired career path.
In accordance with local COVID-19 guidelines, our Bainbridge Island campus buildings are closed to the public. However, limited outdoor tours may be scheduled depending on staff health and availability. If you aren’t able to take an in-person tour, we are happy to offer opportunities for calls with alumni and virtual classroom visits! Reach out to Kathie Bradford at [email protected] for more information.
Attending a virtual or in-person event is the perfect way to learn more about the program, meet our team, and get your questions answered. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit our Events Calendar.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ASK A GRAD: WEBINAR FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS
ASK AN ALUM: WEBINAR FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate Program in Environmental Education & Equity
Graduate Program in Environmental Education & Equity
Graduate Program in Environmental Education & Equity
Graduate Program in Environmental Education & Equity
Graduate Program in Environmental Education & Equity
CONNECT WITH US
