Degrees and Programs Offered

Professional Certifications

Master Reading Teacher Certificate

Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

Professional Certification in Administration (Principal Certification)

Reading Specialist Certification

TESOL Certificate of Endorsement

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a 36-hour non-thesis graduate degree program. With concentrations designed specifically for the Teach for America students, opportunities are provided for students holding a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing graduate study in the field of education. The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) focuses on the advancement of teaching as a career. The M.A.T. focuses on advanced coursework in a specific concentration area to develop and fine tune teaching expertise and leadership skills. Coursework for the M.A.T. also focuses on pedagogical theory and implementation. In essence, the M.A.T. teaches students how to be a better teacher, coach, mentor, facilitator, and leader, including various methodologies, stylistic approaches and classroom management.

The M.A.T. degree has two parts; teacher certification and a master’s degree. The teacher certification portion of the program has 18 hours designed to provide Master’s level courses in teaching proficiency. Certification coursework is available in the following general subject areas: Generalist EC-6, Bilingual Generalist EC-6, Generalist 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) 7-12, Math 7-12, and Science 7-12. The second portion of the program provides students with an opportunity to complete a concentration in one of the following areas; Administration, Gifted & Talented Education, Reading & Writing, Reading Specialist, and Second Language Education & Culture.

The following concentrations are offered:

Administration

Curriculum & Instruction with an Emphasis in Urban Education

Reading and Writing

Reading Specialist

Second Language Education and Culture

For program and concentration requirements, refer to Program Requirements for Master’s Programs in Education.

Successful completion of the Master of Education degree provides the student with professional growth and scholarly enrichment in the following areas:

1. Human growth and development and the relationship of curricular expectations and methodology to individual capabilities, experiences, and cultural diversity.
2. Knowledge and understanding of selected content areas.
3. Research in education and allied fields.
4. Historical, philosophical, theoretical, and research-based influences on education and teaching.
5. Issues facing teachers in contemporary society.