Master of Arts in Teaching View in Kuali Update Delete Update Rules PDF

Goals / Objectives / Outcomes

The goal of the Master of Arts in Teaching program is to provide a pathway for candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree to achieve initial teaching licensure.

This goal is realized by providing opportunities for candidates to become effective in the following roles: (a) a caring person, (b) an informed facilitator of learning, (c) a reflective decision-maker, and (d) a committed professional. These then lay the foundation for professional excellence and constitute the core objectives of the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Admission Requirements

An applicant to the Master of Arts in Teaching program will comply with the following requirements in order to be admitted in regular standing:

1. Baccalaureate Degree: A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. For those seeking elementary education K-5 licensure, the undergraduate major must be in the arts and sciences disciplines. For those seeking initial licensure in a 6-12 endorsement area, the undergraduate major must be in the content area of the endorsement sought. For those seeking NAD certification, a transcript analysis will be conducted to determine if additional coursework is needed to meet NAD requirements.
2. Minimum GPA: A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 from a completed baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree program or a GPA of 3.00 in the most recent sixty (60) credit hours earned at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
3. Statement of Purpose: Candidates are to complete a written Statement of Purpose essay following the guidelines provided by the School of Education, Psychology, and Counseling.
4. Background Check: Applicants must submit results of a CastleBranch background check or verification of a clear background check from their current employer. Legal declaration and waiver forms, along with instructions for completing a background check via CastleBranch are available on the MAT page of the university's Graduate Studies page.
5. Interview: An interview by Education area faculty to assess commitment to multiculturalism, attitudes, communication skills, compatibility of the candidate’s values with the values of the education profession, and fitness to practice in the education field. The interview will be conducted after receipt of the Statement of Purpose and prior to the candidate’s regular admission.
6. Required Content Assessment: Qualifying scores on the state required content assessment for the endorsement area sought.
7. Recommendations: Submission of recommendations required upon request.

Program Specific Info

Admission to Candidacy

MAT students cannot progress beyond the completion of 10 credit hours in their program requirements without being admitted to candidacy. MAT students must be admitted to candidacy in order to progress to the student teaching/job-embedded portion of their program. Students should refer to program-specific requirements for additional details. The School of Education and Psychology reserves the right to deny or revoke admission should a candidate be deemed inappropriate for a professional education degree.

Progression

The program follows student engagement in interactive, online live sessions as well as asynchronous coursework.

Progression in the program may be inhibited by a variety of circumstances. Regular evaluations of students' personal and professional fitness are conducted by the program faculty, Clinical Field Experience supervisors, course instructors, and/or others involved with students' training. Student academic standing is also monitored regularly via course grades and GPA.

Should any aspect of an evaluation indicate that a student needs improvement in a given area, the student is subject to advisement and consideration regarding program progression. Additional information regarding student evaluations and due process can be found in the MAT Student Handbook available from the School of Education and Psychology.

Academic and Non-Academic Standing

Academic standing is monitored regularly for incomplete, unsatisfactory, or low course grades and GPA. Students noted to have difficulties in any of these areas are subject to advisement and consideration regarding program progression. Failure to maintain academic and non-academic standards may result in termination from the MAT program. In general, the following rules apply to progression.

1. Students in the MAT program are responsible for taking full ownership of meeting all academic and non-academic retention requirements.
2. No more than two C or C+ grade is allowed during the MAT program. If a third C or C+ is earned, one of the three must be repeated.
3. A grade of C- or below must be repeated.
4. Once admitted to the MAT program, a course may be repeated one time for the purpose of improving the GPA. A maximum of two courses may be repeated.
5. The Graduate Education Council will evaluate students' grades and GPA prior to a transitional point during the program. If a student's academic performance does not meet the university's standards, the student will be notified via email that the Graduate Education Council will be doing a review of the students status in order to determine whether extenuating circumstances are present. Decisions about student retention in such instances will be made by the Graduate Education Council on a case-by-case basis.
6. A student may be asked to withdraw from the MAT program for any of the following non-academic reasons:
   1. Academic honesty breaches.
   2. Failing/Unsatisfactory clinical experiences.
   3. Failing to abide by professional values and work ethics, as outlined by the program policy. When there is evidence that a student is not meeting the professionalism standards outlined in the MAT program policy, the student will be notified via email that the Graduate Education Council will be doing a review of status in order to determine whether the student may be retained in the program. Decisions about student retention in such instances will be made by the Graduate Education Council on a case-by-case basis.

Gateway One: Permission to Begin Coursework

Prior to proceeding through gateway two, the following criteria must be met:

1. Coursework: Completion of l0 hours of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0

Foundational Coursework Must Include

• EMAT 505 Foundations of Education (1 hr)
• EMAT 512 Classroom Management (3 hrs)
• EDCI 517 Educational Psychology (3 hr)
• EDCI 535 Philosophy of Christian Education (3 hrs)

1. Educator Disposition Assessment: "Criteria Met" rating on Education Disposition Assessment for professionalism
2. Recommendation: Receive recommendation from academic advisor and clearance from the graduate dean.
3. Personal Affirmation Statement: See academic advisor for guidelines.
4. ADA Compliance: See above. Candidates must be capable of performing the essential functions of the program.
5. Application for Admission to Candidacy

Gateway Two: Admission to Candidacy

Prior to proceeding through gateway three, the following criteria must be met:

1. Coursework: Completion of professional education coursework (see below) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
2. Educator Disposition Assessment: "Criteria Met" rating on full Education Disposition Assessment.
3. Recommendations: Receive recommendation from academic advisor and recent MAT professor.
4. CPR/First Aid Certification: Evidence of CPR/First Aid certification.
5. ADA Compliance: See above. Candidates must be capable of performing the essential functions of the program.
6. Application for Admission to Student Teaching OR Job-Embedded Clinical Practice
7. Application for Teaching Licensure (Job-Embedded Pathway ONLY)

Gateway Three: Admission to Clinical Practice

Prior to proceeding through gateway four, all relevant Praxis exams must be passed and the following coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0:

Student Teaching Pathway

• EMAT 610 Student Teaching
• EMAT 611 Student Teaching Seminar

Job-Embedded Pathway

• EMAT 620 Job-Embedded Clinical Experience I
• EMAT 621 Job-Embedded Seminar I
• EMAT 622 Job-Embedded Clinical Experience II
• EMAT 623 Job-Embedded Seminar II

Gateway Four: Culmination of Teacher Program

To graduate from a Master of Arts in Teaching program, a candidate must complete all university and School of Education and Psychology requirements. In addition, the candidate must provide evidence of the following:

1. Student Teaching: Successful completion of clinical experience
2. Passing Score on edTPA (Student Teaching Pathway ONLY)
3. ADA Compliance: See above.
4. Application for Teaching Licensure (Student Teaching Pathway ONLY)

Requirements