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IMAGINE A BETTER TOMORROW
TODAY.

For You. For Our Keiki. For Hawaii.

Earn your bachelor’s degree online and
become a teacher.

THE MU‘O SCHOLARSHIP

Teacher Prep Program

Through the generosity and transformational vision of Kamehameha Schools, Chaminade University will offer 150 fully paid tuition scholarships (50 each year for three years beginning this fall). This online bachelor’s degree program is designed for working adults interested in becoming an educator and ready to take the next step in their career.

Full-Tuition Scholarship*
($100,580 value)

Earn a Bachelor of Science in:

Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education with Montessori Credential (PK-K)
Elementary Education (K-6)
Secondary Education (6-12)

Hawaii Residents Eligible

Additional consideration given to applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry

100% Online
Designed for Working Adults**

Dedicated Advisor &
Professional Development

Time to Completion:
36 to 48 months

(possibly sooner for transfers)

FALL 2023 COHORT

The 2023 scholarship application is now closed.

FALL 2024 COHORT

Applications are now being accepted for next fall with a priority deadline of February 1, 2024.

Request More Information

Join an Online Info Session

Start Your Application

WHY CHAMINADE?

Best Online Secondary Education Programs of 2023
Best College, 2023

Best Online Elementary Education Programs of 2023
Best College, 2023

Best Online Early Childhood Education Programs of 2023
Best College, 2023

Eligibility & Admission Requirements

Resident of Hawaii
Completed application
Official transcript(s)

We Are Here to Help

Contact Admissions Counselor Jowenalyn Cadiz:
• Email
• Phone: (808) 739-8523

Did You Know

The average salary of a Hawaii public school teacher in grades K-12 in 2020-2021 was $70,922, according to National Education Association data. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, January 24, 2023)
More than 60,000 keiki are not taught by a Hawaii Qualified Teacher each year (Hawai‘i State Teachers Association)
By 2025, HSTA wants all public school students to be taught by teachers who have a license and are paid a professional salary (Hawai‘i State Teachers Association)
As of December 2022, Hawaii’s public schools had 737 teacher vacancies — about 6% of the total positions, according to state Department of Education data. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, January 24, 2023)
By 2032, Ready Keiki (universal access to preschool plan) will create 465 new classrooms. 80 new classrooms ready to welcome preschoolers by August 2024, and approximately 50 more new classrooms each following year. (Ready Keiki)

Frequently Asked Questions

General

The Early Childhood Education program prepares students who are interested in working with young children ages 2 ½ through six years. The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program meets NAEYC accreditation standards and Hawaii state registry requirements for ECE. This is a BS degree-only option that does not lead to teaching licensure.
The Early Childhood Education with Montessori Credential program prepares students interested in working with young children ages 2 ½ through six years in public and private schools and other education environments. This major meets MACTE accreditation standards and state registry requirements for ECE. Students successfully completing this program earn a BS and meet the requirements to be recommended for the American Montessori Society (AMS) credential at the Early Childhood Level as well as Hawaii State licensure at the PK-K level.
The Elementary Education with Kindergarten to 6th Grade Licensure program prepares students who are interested in working with children from kindergarten through sixth grade. After completing the Elementary Education program, students will be recommended by the university to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board (HTSB) for licensure.
The Secondary Education program prepares students who are interested in working with children from sixth grade through twelfth grade. After completing the Secondary Education program, students will be recommended by the university to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board (HTSB) for licensure. Students will be licensed to teach grades 6 through 12 in one of the core content areas (English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies) in Hawai‘i.

Student teaching is an in-person requirement for the baccalaureate Education programs. You will be assigned to work with a teacher at a partnering school in your desired grade level and area of specialization. You will also be guided by one of our University Supervisors. Student teaching provides an opportunity for the student to apply acquired knowledge, coursework, theory, and experience in a real school setting. Ultimately, the goal of this hands-on student teaching experience is to prepare students to be successful teachers.

The Early Childhood Education program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education degree but not state teaching licensure (this is a degree-only track).
The Early Childhood Education B.S. with Montessori Credential helps students acquire PK-K licensure and Montessori credential.
The Elementary Education B.S. helps students acquire Kindergarten to 6th Grade Licensure in Hawai’i.
The Secondary Education B.S. helps students acquire licensure to teach grades 6 through 12 in one of the core content areas (English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies) in Hawai‘i.

Teacher Candidates seeking State of Hawaii licensure are recommended by the university to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board (HTSB). In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates will need to fulfill the requirements set forth by the HSTB. Student teaching practicum is completed during the final semester of the program following the Hawaii DOE Fall or Spring calendar (requires a minimum of 450 hours) in a classroom.

Elementary Education: These requirements are met by met by: 1) Passing the Praxis Exams; or 2) Content Knowledge by coursework: completing 9 credits in the following content areas: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Three of the credits in each of the content areas need to be upper-division. Total: 36 hours; or 3) A combination of coursework and/or Praxis exams
Early Childhood Education and Secondary Education: These requirements are met by 1) Passing the Praxis Exam, or 2) Content Knowledge by coursework: completing 30 credits in your specialization, of which 15 credits need to be upper-division.

Financial Aid & Tuition

Yes. All applicants will first be considered for the Pell Grant before this scholarship award covers the remaining tuition.

Students will only need to pay the technology fee for each course (currently $93/course). Kamehameha Schools, in partnership with Chaminade University, will cover tuition, books, and residential stay on campus for neighbor island students who must attend an in person sessions prior to student teaching.

Students must maintain full-time continuous enrollment and remain in good academic standing.

Students accepted into this teacher prep program will be provided with tuition support for 120 credits needed to complete the degree (less for some students with transfer credits).

The Mu‘o Scholarship will automatically renew each year, up to 4 years.

Students in this program will regularly meet with a dedicated Flex Navigator to help with degree progress. If students withdraw from Chaminade, they will not be held responsible for paying back tuition.

Eligibility & Admissions

All courses require access to the Internet and consistent computer access. Unless you will be traveling to a campus computer lab or library, you will need to have access to your own computer and a high-speed Internet Service Provider. If you do not have a computer, please reach out to us for more information.

No. All are eligible to apply. Priority consideration is given to Native Hawaiian applicants; however, non-Native Hawaiian are eligible and will be considered for this scholarship.

Yes. We expect many teacher prep program students will enter Chaminade University as a transfer student with previously earned college credits. Remedial, technical, vocational or professional coursework is not eligible for transfer. Please refer to our transfer guide for more information.

Yes. Our program is built for working people just like you, with flexible timelines, an easy-to-use online learning platform, and lots of support from advisors, the program navigators and more.

Yes. You can apply for the program if you live in another state, but priority consideration will be given to Hawaii state residents.

The Mu‘o Scholarship is for new Chaminade students, but there are many financial aid opportunities for you including merit aid, need-based aid, scholarships and grants. Please visit our Financial Aid website for more information.

This program is for new Chaminade students, but there are many financial aid opportunities for you including merit aid, need-based aid, scholarships and grants. Please visit our Financial Aid website for more information.

Program Format & Coursework

Our program will function as a cohort model, but students will have flexibility to work at different paces in order to accommodate differences in work, family, or other demands.

Yes, our Flex program is designed specifically to help working adults advance in their careers.

Online courses are completely virtual, conducted through our Learning Management System, Canvas. Canvas allows for each class to have a consistent structure, including videos, discussions, assignments, quizzes, exams, and communication with fellow students and faculty through the platform. Courses are designed to be completed remotely, allowing students a great deal of flexibility. As with traditional classes, students should expect to spend about 38 hours for each credit earned.

This depends on the number of prior college credits and the types of classes. Our admissions and records office will work with you to determine transferability of credits and length of programming remaining.

Yes. We require students to remain full time, so students will need to take at least 12 credits per term over three terms per year.

Yes. All of the programs require student teaching, which must be completed in person. In addition, the Early Childhood Education with Montessori requires an additional 3 weeks of in-person instruction in the summer prior to student teaching.

Yes. Our Chaminade education department will find and determine the student teaching placement for each student.

Yes. You can still work while you are student teaching.

While student teachers will not be paid, they will receive valuable professional experience

It depends. You can work with the Chaminade education department to determine whether your current school can accommodate your student teaching.

While we are committed to getting students through their degree in four years, we understand that life can sometimes get in the way. We will have a navigator, advising, and other support services to help students stay on track and find plans to get students back on track if they need to step away for a period of time.