Master of Arts in Teaching
Program Purpose
This program is designed to provide qualified individuals with a master's degree and initial certification in the area of Elementary Education or a Secondary Education content specialization by providing study of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effective teachers. This program contains extensive field work in Professional Development School settings and anticipates the full-time enrollment of the candidate. The program presumes a particular sequence of certain research-based courses.
Certification
This program is intended to lead to an initial full Maryland certification in Elementary Education or in a Secondary Education content specialization.
Levels of specialization
- Elementary Education
- Secondary/K-12 Education
Program Objectives
- To provide candidates with an integrated, quality, and intensive research-driven experience for teacher preparation.
- To provide candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of highly effective teachers.
- To develop candidates who will demonstrate satisfactory performances of all relevant NCATE, state, and constituent professional association program standards for the specialization area and the expectations of the College of Education's Conceptual Framework.
- To engage candidates in a collaborative experience of staff development and preservice teacher training in Professional Development Schools.
- To make a positive impact on participant schools and on the students attending those schools.
- To involve candidates in deep reflection, research, and problem solving about teaching and learning.
- To continually demand evidence of proficient candidate performance through displays of teaching skills and through documentation of student learning.
- To provide candidates with a broad understanding of acquisition of learning and literacy and the skills to promote effective learning across curricular areas.
- To provide an alternative avenue of initial certification and induction into teaching for individuals with a bachelor's degree in fields other than education.
Program Entry and Exit Requirements
Program entry is a three-step process as described below.
Step I: Screening Process
Must meet minimum academic requirements for admission. The application deadline for Secondary/K-12 is April 1, and May 1 for Elementary. Applicants may be accepted upon completion of the admissions requirements.
Step II: Submission of Entry Portfolio
The MAT Screening Committees will review applicants for intellectual, personal, and professional qualities. The portfolio is the candidate's opportunity to demonstrate, in the best possible way, how he/she possesses these qualities.
The Entry Portfolio shall include evidence of qualifications organized in six attributes: Dedicated Professional, Leader (Instructional Leader), Continuous Assessor, Collaborative Bridge Builder, Educational Advocate, and Reflective Decision-maker.
Step III: In-Person Assessment
Selected applicants will be invited to participate in the In-Person Assessments.
- Successful presentation of the entrance portfolio and clear articulation of reasons for entering teaching are presented in an Entrance Interview that shall be conducted by members of the educational community. Interview team members may include: FSU faculty, Professional Development School administrators and teachers, county administrators, and/or former Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. Appropriate content specialist will participate in the interviews for Secondary applicants. Following the In-Person assessment, applicants will complete a written problem solving task. Written notice regarding acceptance into the program will then be sent to the applicants. Applications for the In-Person Assessment and the schedule of dates for the assessment are available in the Office of Graduate Services.
- Secondary/K-12 Education Applicants who have completed the bachelor's degree within the past two years are strongly encouraged to pass the Praxis II content specialty prior to admission into the program.
Exit
Program exit and recommendation for certification are contingent upon the following:
- Successful completion of all course work.
- Successful completion of all practicum experiences.
- Successful completion of the research requirement.
- Successful completion of the Exit Portfolio presentation.
- Successful attainment and documentation of the Maryland Teacher Technology Standards.
- Passing scores as established by the state of Maryland on the appropriate Praxis II content and pedagogy tests.
- A Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the graduate program.
- Approval of the MAT Assessment Committee.
Program Descriptions
Elementary MAT Coordinator: Dr. Kim Rotruck / Phone: 240/527-2736 / Office: Room 306 USM at Hagerstown
Secondary/PreK-12 MAT Coordinator: Dr. Marcia Cushall / Phone: 301/687-4308 / Office: Room 121 Framptom Hall
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