The Sapsik’^walá program includes a full year of support services when you begin teaching: provision of a mentor, formative evaluations of your teaching, support for attendance at a professional conference, cohort seminar meetings, on-site consulting, an electronic distribution and discussion list, and on-line consultation and website conferencing.

As part of the University of Oregon Native American Initiative, the goal of the program is to prepare American Indian teachers whose knowledge, skills, and cultural sensitivity will bring about long-term, much needed improvements in the elementary, middle, and high school educational experiences of American Indian youth.

UO College of Education teacher education programs prepare professionals to meet the lifelong learning and developmental needs of children and young adults. COE teacher licensure programs lead to a master’s degree and include completion of State of Oregon initial teaching licensure requirements in general or special education at elementary or middle/high school levels.

To qualify for a Sapsik’^walá scholarship applicants must meet the federal stipulations defining Indian, i.e. an individual who is:
• A member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the Indian tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940, and any tribe or band recognized by the State in which the tribe or band resides; or
• A descendent of a parent or grandparent who meets the requirements described above; or
• Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose; or
• An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
• A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect October 19, 1994.

Application Procedure
1. Contact the Sapsik’^walá Program Director to request a Program scholarship application.
2. Contact the Sapsik’^walá Program Advisor for a program entry interview (this may be accomplished by telephone if the applicant cannot come to the UO).
3. Contact the Academic Secretary for the teacher education program you want to enter in order to request an application package or receive additional program information.

Credit Requirements
Master’s degree programs in Teacher Education/Special Education require between 45 and 70 credit-hours earned over 5-6 terms. The credit-hour requirements include up to 19 credit hours of field-based practicum.