Mount Mary University partners with the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute to offer you opportunities to earn a Waldorf Teacher Certificate, as well as to complete a Master of Arts in Education degree. 

The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America recognizes Great Lakes Waldorf Institute as one of eight full member institutes in North America, and the first full member in the Midwest.

A Waldorf Teacher Certificate is granted through the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute, while the master’s degree is awarded by Mount Mary University. The Waldorf Teacher Certificate qualifies you to teach in Waldorf schools, but does not lead to licensure by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. 

Waldorf Program Curriculum Requirements

The Waldorf Teacher Certificate program requires 27 credits. You’ll take the following courses at Mount Mary:

• EDU 630: Introduction to Waldorf Education & Child Development I (2 credits)
• EDU 632: Artistic Work in the Waldorf School I: Intro to Mediums (2 credits)
• EDU 633: Inner Life of the Waldorf Teacher/Classroom Management (2 credits)
• EDU 640: Artistic Work in the Waldorf School II: Clay Modeling & Drawing (2 credits)
• EDU 641: Development of the Child II: Phases of Childhood (2 credits)
• EDU 643: Artistic Work in the Waldorf School III: Drawing from the Book of Nature (2 credits)
• EDU 700: Diversity Among Learners: Teaching History & Multicultural Education in the Waldorf Schools (3 credits)
• EDU 740: Curriculum Design: Teaching Mathematics in the Waldorf Schools (3 credits)
• EDU 742: Instructional Strategies: Teaching Geography in the Waldorf Schools (3 credits) 

In addition you will choose to take 3 courses from the following pairs of 2-credit courses:

• EDU 631: Essentials of the Waldorf Curriculum OR EDU 645: Essentials of the Waldorf Kindergarten – Part I
• EDU 634: Sing Me a Creation: Teaching Language Arts in the Waldorf School OR EDU 646: Essentials of the Waldorf Kindergarten – Part 2
• EDU 642: Teaching Science in the Waldorf School OR EDU 647: Essentials of the Waldorf Kindergarten – Part 3 

The Great Lakes Waldorf Institute may require additional experiences.

Waldorf & Master’s Degree Program Curriculum Requirements

If you wish to achieve both a Waldorf Teacher Certificate and earn a Master of Arts in Education degree, you must complete all of the above requirements, plus these additional 9 credits:

• EDU 715: Seminar – Issues & Problems Affecting Education (3 credits)
• EDU 705: Introduction to Professional Inquiry (2 credits)
• EDU 706: Instructional Project (4 credits)

How to Apply to the Waldorf Teacher Certificate Program

To apply for the Waldorf Teacher Certificate program:

1.  Apply through Great Lakes Waldorf Institute at: https://www.greatlakeswaldorf.org/glwi-application

2.  Upon approval by Great Lakes Waldorf Institute, apply to Mount Mary University as a degree-seeking or special student. Application materials (transcripts, recommendations, etc.) submitted to Great Lakes Waldorf Institute will be used for admission to Mount Mary University.

Email mmu-gradinfo@mtmary.edu or contact your graduate admission counselor with questions.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 9 credits or 30 percent of total program credits, whichever is greater, may be transferred from other regionally accredited institutions with the approval of the program director. All transfer credits must be at a grade B or better, and must be documented with official transcripts. Credit earned prior to admission will be evaluated during the admission process only.