Master of Arts in Teaching
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a 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) or in Special Education (General Curriculum). Individuals must either hold a current teaching position in a P-12 school or complete student teaching to successfully complete Phase II of the
Program. The Master of Arts in Teachingis based in the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Professional Studies (ELCPS) within the School of Education and Human Performance (SEHP).
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.
Degree Requirements
There are two concentrations in the MAT: (a) Middle Grades Education (MGE) and (b) Special Education (SPE). The MGE concentration has three tracks: English/language arts, mathematics, or science. The SPE concentration has one track: General Curriculum. 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 partof this phase. Candidates must plan their schedules to accomodate these experiences.
Phase II courses provide graduate preparation for the Standard Professional License II. A contractual teaching position or a current license in the elected content area is required before completing this phase. MAT candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
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
The MAT – MGE concentration requires that candidates have earned 24 satisfactory credit hours in their selected track either as an undergraduate student or as a graduate student in Phase I before they can successfully complete Phase II.
Required Courses
MAT- MGE (English/Language Arts)
MAT – MGE (Mathematics)
MAT – MGE (Science)
MAT – SPE
Admission Requirements
- Complete the graduate studies application and submit online fee. www.wssu.edu/wssu/graduatestudies
- Complete the supplemental MAT program application
- Advisor must evaluate content area
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better
- Submit a Statement of Purpose
- Current official GRE/MAT scores or receipt is required
- All official transcripts submitted by the deadline
- Three references to validate professional experiences
Faculty
Edwin Bell, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.A., Bowdoin College
M.A., Boston College
Ed.D., University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Cassaundra El-Amin, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.A., Spelman College
M.S., Adelphi University
Ed.S., University of Southern Mississippi
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi
Denise Terry Johnson, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Education
B.S., North Carolina State University
M.S., North Carolina State University
Ed. D., The George Washington University
Pedro Martinez, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.S., University of Hartford
M.Ed., University of Hartford
Ph.D., Loyola University
Denise Pearson, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.A., Pace University
M.A., University of Denver
M.S., Concordia
Ph.D., Marquette University
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