Master of Arts in Teaching                                

                                                                                                                                                                            

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a 30-credit hour graduate program that leads to an initial (A-level) teaching license. The MAT is designed primarily for individuals with a non-teaching bachelor’s degree-seeking a teaching license.

The Master of Arts in Teaching, based in the Department of Education within the College of Arts, Science, Business, and Education (CASBE), currently is enrolling students in five teacher licensure specialty areas: Birth through Kindergarten Education (BKE), Elementary Education (ELEM), Health and Physical Education (HPE), Middle Grades Education (MGE), and Special Education (SPE).

Each specialty area track comprises four common MAT courses, four specialty area courses, and an internship experience. Each specialty area can lead to an initial (A) level North Carolina teaching license. Significant field experiences in P-12 classrooms are required to complete the MAT program. Therefore, candidates must plan their schedules accordingly.

Graduates will create positive change in the profession by advocating for students, promoting professional growth, and working collaboratively with peers. The WSSU Educational Preparation Program (EPP) is steeped in the concept of social justice. Therefore, in addition to traditional coursework, our candidates are expected to complete a minimum of 20 community service hours.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will:

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.

Admission Requirements

Following are the general admission requirements:

• Hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,
• Have a mimimum GPA of 2.75, with a preferred GPA of 3.0 or better.
• A completed WSSU graduate application, along with submission of 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.

A completed WSSU MAT application, including a personal essay. The essay should range between 600-800 words and include a discussion of at least the following information:

(1) Personal history, including experiences in the field and career goals,

(2) Why you are interested in becoming a teacher,

(3) Your qualifications for specialty area interest,

(4) Experiences you have had that have prepared you for graduate-level study,

(5) Any challenges that you may have had in the past, and

(6) If needed, a discussion of things that need to be explained, such as undergraduate GPA, gaps in education/employment

Prerequisites 

For all programs, candidates are 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.

Program Structure and Summary  Summary: Total Number of Semester Hours……………33-39 credit hrs Common MAT coursework……………………. 18–21 credit hrs Discipline Specific coursework……………………… 15 credit hrs   2020 MAT Program of Study Form The MAT coursework comprised of the common required MAT courses and Specialty Area courses: EDU 5301  Effective Teaching Skills and Classroom Management EDU 5303  Psychology of Teaching and Learning EDU 5340  Teaching Diverse Classrooms EDU 6163  Special Graduate Issues*** EDU 6311  Teachers as Leaders EDU 6321  Educational Research and Assessment  EDU 6323  MAT Internships*** ***These courses must be taken concurrently and are required for those seeking a teaching license. Discipline Specific Courses Birth to Kindergarten (BKE) 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 BKE 6330    Child and Family Observation, Documentation, and Assessment BKE 6335    Language and LIteracy in Early Childhood SPE 6304    Building Collaborative Family, School, and Community Relationships Middle Grades Track Coursework (MGE) 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 5311    Teach Literacy across the Curriculum EDU 6325    Advanced Concepts Topics in Curriculum & Instruction SPE 6304    Building Collaborative Family, School, and Community Relationships  Special Education Track Coursework (SPE) 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 Disabilties SPE 6310    Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Special Needs  SPE 6304    Building Collaborative Family, School, and Community Relationships

Progression Requirements and Time Limit for Completion

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

Departmental Links

Department of Education Webpage

Graduate Programs Webpage

Master of Arts in Teaching Webpage