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:

Graduates will be able to:

1. Provide effective instruction as indicated by aligning their lessons with content standards or learning targets, building upon students’ prior knowledge and/or skills, and provide and justify supports for learning.
2. Engage learners in a respectful learning environment as demonstrated by creating a culturally responsive environment, actively engaging the learner, and assisting the learner in developing a deep understanding of the material and/or skill related to the learning goal.
3. Use assessments to improve learning as demonstrated by analyzing their pedagogical practices and the learners’ performance, providing effective feedback, and incorporating assessment data into future planning to identify ways to improve student engagement.
4. Use research-based practices to impact their instruction positively.
5. Create positive change in the profession by advocating for students, promoting professional growth, and working collaboratively with peers.

Time Limits for Completion

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

Prerequisites 

For all programs, candidates required to be competent in basic technology.  Additionally, those in the Special Education track are required to have an introduction to special education class, and those in the Middle Grades track must have the content area coursework required for certification. 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.

Required coursework for all MAT Tracks: EDU 5301 Effective Teaching Skills and Classroom Management   EDU 5303 Psychology of Teaching and Learning   EDU 5340 Teaching Diverse Classrooms   EDU 6323 MAT Internships  *** EDU 6311 Teachers as Leaders   EDU 6321 Educational Research and Assessment   EDU 6163 Special Graduate Issues  *** *** Courses are only required for candidates seeking teacher licensure Discipline Specific Courses Special Education Track Coursework SPE 5315 Literacy, Diagnosis, and Remediation for Exceptional Students   SPE 5320 Methods for Teaching Mathematics to Students w/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, and Community Relationships   Middle Grades Track Coursework EDU 6301 Curriculum Development and Cultural Diversity  or MGE 6316 or MGE 6317 - Discipline specific teaching methods course MGE 5360 Middle School Philosophy and Organization   MGE 5370 Early Adolescent Learners   RED 6311 Teach Literacy in Middle School EDU 6325   Advanced Topics in Curriculum & Instruction SPE 6304 Building Collaborative Family, School, and Community Relationships   Teaching English as Second Language Track Coursework ESL 5310 Language Acquisition and Language Learning *   ESL 5311 Language and Culture in ESL *   ESL 5312 Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation of ESL *  ESL 5313 Principles and Methods of Teaching ESL *   ESL 6315 Advanced Grammar for ESL Teachers *   ESL 6302 Special Topics in ESL   Birth to Kindergarten (BKE) Student Learning Outcomes Instructional Planning and Assessment Graduates will be able to provide effective instruction as indicated by aligning their lessons with content standards or learnig targets, building uon students’ prior knowledge and/or skills, and provide and justify supports for learning. Engaging Students in Learning Graduates will engage learners in a respectful learning environment as demonstrated by creating a culturally responsive environment, actively engaging the learner, and assisting the learner in dveloping a deep understanding of the material and/or skill related to the learning goal. Assessing Learning Graduates will be able to use asessments to improve learning as demonstrated by analyzing their pedagogical practices and the learners’ performance, providing effective feedback and incorporating assessment data into future planning to identify ways to improve student engagement. Understanding the critical concepts and principles Candidates will be able use rsearch-based practices to impact their instruction positively. Leadershp Graduates will create positive change in the profession by advocating for students, promotiing professional growth, and working collaboratively with peers.

Program Summary

 

Total Number of Semester Hours……………………………………………33-39 credit hrs

 

Shared MAT Requirements……………………………….………………… 18–21 credit hrs

 

Major Requirements ………………………………………………………… 15 credit hrs

 

Shared MAT Courses

    

EDU 5301  : Effective Teaching Skills and Classroom Management

EDU 5340  : Teaching in Diverse Classrooms

EDU 5303  : Psy of Teaching & Learning

EDU 6321  : Educational Research & Assessment

EDU 6311  : Teachers as Leaders

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

***EDU 6323  : MAT Internship

***EDU 6163  : Special Graduate Issues (3 credits)

Birth through Kindergarten Discipline Specific Courses

Initial Licensure:

BKE 5325  : Developmentally Appropriate Instruction and Assessment for Infants and Toddlers

BKE 5328  : Developmentally Appropriate Instruction and Assessment for Preschool and Kindergarten

BKE 5345  : Social Justice Advocacy and Public Policy in Early Childhood Education

                                                                               

Advanced Licensure:

BKE 6330  : Child and Family Observation, Documentation, and Assessment

BKE 6335  : Advanced Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education

***Courses are only required for candidates seeking teacher licensure

Admission Requirements

Following are the general admission requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,
• Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,
• A completed WSSU graduate application, along with all required documents.
• Interview with MAT program coordinator or designee,
• For individuals seeking MGE teacher certification, a Transcript Analysis of Content Area is also required.

Departmental Links

Department of Education Webpage

Graduate Programs Webpage

Master of Arts in Teaching Webpage