Master of Arts in Teaching                                

                                                                                                                                                                            

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a 33 to 39-credit graduate program that consists of two phases and is designed primarily for individuals with a non-teaching bachelor’s degree, who are interested in obtaining a teacher’s license in Middle Grades Education (English/language arts, science, or mathematics), Special Education (General Curriculum) or teaching English as a Second Language (non-teaching track).  The Master of Arts in Teaching is based in the Department of Education  within the College of Arts, Science, Business, and Education (CASBE).                   

There are three concentrations in the MAT: (a) Middle Grades Education (MGE), (b) Special Education (SPE), and Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). The MGE concentration leads to certification in either English/language arts, mathematics, or science. The SPE concentration leads to licensure in the area of Special Education: General Curriculum. Currently the TESL track does not lead to an initial license.   Each concentration has two phases.

Phase I courses prepare candidates for the Standard Professional License I.  Field experiences in P-12 classrooms and satisfying content area credit hour requirements are part of this phase.  Candidates must plan their schedules to accommodate these experiences.

Phase II courses provide graduate preparation for the Standard Professional License II. MAT candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

Learning Outcomes:

• Use various models to develop appropriate instructional strategies and technologies in order to enhance student learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how learning occurs and how students construct knowledge.
• Develop skills to provide learning opportunities which support students’ intellectual, social, and personal development.
• Demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills.
• Employ a variety of evidenced-based instructional strategies to individualize instruction.
• Adapt instructional techniques for students with diverse cultural and language backgrounds, and students with exceptional learning needs.
• Demonstrate understanding of central concepts, tools of inquiry, and the structures of discipline(s) taught to create meaningful learning experiences for students.
• Incorporate knowledge of the learner, learning processes, and the variations in learning abilities to create a repertoire of evidenced-based instructional strategies for individualized instruction.
• Demonstrate self-directed, self-reflective professional behavior, and provide leadership to colleagues and communities through collaboration.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of families and the role families and the community play in the education of the learner.

Time Limits for Completion

Candidates have six (6) years to complete the program.

Progression Requirements

MAT candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout The program and earn no more than two grades of “C” to remain in good standing on the MAT program.

Prerequisites 

Prerequisite-For all programs candidates required to be competent in basic technology

Additional prerequisites: For the Special Education track—An introduction to special education class, and For the Middle Grades track—Content area courses required for certification

Required MAT Courses

EDU 5301 - Effective Teaching Skills and Classroom Management

EDU 5303   – Psychology of Teaching & Learning

EDU 5340   - Teaching in Diverse Classrooms

EDU 6323 - MAT Internship

EDU 6311   - Teachers as Leaders

EDU 6321   - Educational Research & Assessment

EDU 6163 - Special Graduate Issues (3 credits)

Special Education Discipline specific courses

SPE 5315  - Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties for Exceptional Students

SPE 5320   - Methods for Teaching Mathematics to Students with Special Needs

SPE 5321   - Understanding Students with High Incidence Disabilities

SPE 5322   - Instructional Strategies for Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities

SPE 6310   - Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Special Needs

SPE 6304   - Building Collaborative Family, School, & Community Relationships

Middle Grades Education Discipline specific courses

EDU 6301  , or MGE 6316 or MGE 6317- Discipline specific teaching methods course

MGE 5360   - Middle School Phil/Organization

MGE 5370   - Early Adolescent Learner

RED 6311 - Teach Literacy in Middle School

EDU 6325 - Advanced Topics in Curriculum & Instruction

SPE 6304   - Building Collaborative Family, School, & Community Relationships

Teaching English as Second Language Discipline specific courses

ESL 5310   - Language Acquisition and Language Learning

ESL 5311   - Language and Culture in ESL

ESL 5312   -Testing, Assessment & Evaluation in ESL

ESL 5313   - Principles and Methods of Teaching ESL

ESL 6315   - Advanced Grammar for ESL Teachers

ESL 6302 - Special Topics in ESL

Admission Requirements

• Complete the graduate studies application and submit online fee.
• Complete the MAT Supplemental program application
• Receive a Transcript Analysis for Content Area requirements
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better
• Submit a Statement of Purpose
• Current official GRE/MAT scores is required
• All official transcripts submitted by the deadline
• Submit three recommendation forms that validate professional experiences

Departmental Links

Graduate Programs Webpage

Master of Arts in Teaching Webpage