Magis Questions & Answers

Magis teachers serve in Catholic elementary and secondary schools across several unique communities, each offering its own opportunities for teaching, service, intentional community, and formation.

Our current Magis communities are:

• Kansas City, Kansas & Missouri 
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
• Omaha, Nebraska 
• Phoenix, Arizona 
• Pine Ridge, South Dakota 

Within these communities, Magis teachers serve in a variety of Catholic school settings and grade levels, from elementary through high school. Our school partnerships may grow and evolve from year to year based on the needs of Catholic schools and available placement opportunities.

No matter the location, each Magis community shares the same mission: Forming Teachers. Serving Students. Transforming Communities.

Magis welcomes applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds. Some applicants come to Magis with an undergraduate degree in education and a teaching certificate, while others have earned a degree in another academic area and are seeking a pathway into teaching.

If you have completed a teacher preparation program and hold, or will hold, a teaching certificate before beginning Magis, you are encouraged to apply. Applicants who have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program may also be eligible based on their undergraduate coursework, degree, and the requirements of their intended graduate program and teaching area.

Because every applicant’s academic background is different, you do not need to determine your eligibility on your own. The Magis team will review your academic history and help determine which graduate degree and certification pathway may be the best fit.

If you are interested in Magis but are unsure whether your degree qualifies, we encourage you to reach out. A conversation with the Magis team is a great first step in exploring what may be possible.

No. Magis welcomes applicants from a variety of faith backgrounds and at different points in their spiritual journeys. You do not need to be Catholic to apply, but you should be open to growing spiritually and participating fully in the faith life and formation that are central to the Magis experience.

As a Catholic teacher formation program rooted in the Jesuit tradition, Magis invites teachers to deepen their understanding of Ignatian spirituality and explore how faith informs their vocation as educators. Spiritual formation includes retreats, prayer and reflection, faith sharing, community spirituality experiences, and opportunities to participate in Mass and the sacramental life of the Church.

All Magis teachers should be comfortable supporting the Catholic identity, mission, and Gospel values of the schools in which they serve.

Applicants seeking a placement teaching religion or theology must be practicing Catholics, in accordance with the requirements of our partner schools and dioceses.

Absolutely! There is no specific age requirement for Magis. While most Magis teachers join the program during or within a few years of completing their undergraduate degree, we welcome applicants who have spent additional time working, volunteering, serving, or pursuing other experiences.

Because intentional community is a central part of the Magis experience, all participants must be able to commit fully to living in a Magis community for the duration of the two-year program. For this reason, Magis is not able to accommodate married applicants or those whose family commitments would prevent them from living in the Magis community.

Applicants who have been out of college for several years should also know that most of their fellow Magis teachers are likely to be recent college graduates or young professionals. We share this simply so applicants can thoughtfully discern whether the community experience and stage of life of their potential housemates would be a good fit.

If you are able and excited to fully participate in intentional community, we encourage you to explore whether Magis might be the right next step for you.

No. Magis interviews can be conducted virtually, so applicants are not required to travel to Omaha as part of the application process. We want the interview experience to be accessible regardless of where you currently live.

If you are interested in visiting Creighton University and learning more about Magis in person, we would be happy to welcome you to campus when possible, but an in-person visit is not required to be considered for the program.

Yes! Placement is a mutual discernment process. Throughout the application process, we take time to learn about your interests, experience, preferred grade levels or subject areas, and the communities and school settings where you feel called to serve.

The Magis team then works to identify potential matches with our partner schools based on both your interests and the needs of the schools. You will have the opportunity to interview directly with the principal of a potential placement school, ask questions, learn about the school community and position, and determine whether it feels like the right fit. Likewise, the principal has the opportunity to discern whether you are a good fit for their school.

You will never be placed at a school without first interviewing with the principal and receiving a job offer. While we cannot guarantee that every community, school, or grade-level preference will be available, your voice is an important part of the process.

Our goal is not simply to fill openings—it is to find a placement where both you and the school community can thrive.

Living in intentional community is an important part of the Magis experience and formation. During the school year, Magis teachers live in communities of approximately 3–8 people in their placement city. Each teacher has a private bedroom, while common spaces and bathrooms are shared.

Community life is about much more than sharing a house. Magis teachers intentionally support and accompany one another through the joys and challenges of teaching, graduate school, faith, and everyday life. Communities spend time together through shared meals, spirituality and reflection, social activities, celebrations, and simply being present to one another.

During the summer, Magis teachers live together on Creighton University’s campus, allowing teachers from all placement cities to build relationships and strengthen the larger Magis community.

Living simply is one aspect of the experience, but the heart of community life is learning to live intentionally with others, building meaningful relationships, and growing together throughout the two-year Magis journey.

Magis is designed to make graduate education and service in Catholic schools financially accessible. Through a generous scholarship, Magis teachers receive full tuition for their graduate degree and rent is fully covered for the duration of the program. Teachers also receive a monthly stipend to help cover personal expenses, transportation, books, and other everyday needs.

This financial support allows Magis teachers to focus their time and energy on teaching, graduate studies, intentional community, and their professional and spiritual formation. Because of the full-time commitment of the program, Magis teachers are not permitted to hold additional employment while participating in Magis.

For many participants, Magis provides a unique opportunity to earn a master’s degree with tuition and housing covered while gaining two years of meaningful experience serving in Catholic education.

Absolutely! Magis teachers are encouraged to become active members of their school communities. Coaching, moderating a club, attending school events, and supporting extracurricular activities are wonderful ways to build relationships with students, colleagues, families, and the broader school community.

Because Magis teachers are also balancing graduate coursework, intentional community, and ongoing formation, extracurricular commitments should be manageable and discussed with the Magis team. Opportunities such as assistant coaching and club moderation can be a great fit when balanced with other program responsibilities.

Getting involved beyond the classroom is often one of the most rewarding parts of the Magis experience and another way teachers can fully become part of the communities they serve.