The MAT Secondary/K-12 program is designed to provide an individual holding an existing undergraduate degree in a Secondary school content area with an avenue to become a fully certified high school or middle school teacher in that content area.

Frostburg State University's teacher preparation degree programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In order to meet the necessary standards for the Secondary/K-12 MAT program, prospective candidates must bring with them an undergraduate content degree that meets NCATE requirements. Frostburg State University's degrees in Biology, Earth Science, Physics, French, and Spanish fully meet the standards. Degrees in Art, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Social Science also meet standards when specific coursework is included in the degree. Degrees from other institutions must meet an equivalency to Frostburg State University's degree or must meet a generalized equivalency validated by passage of the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge examination prior to admission. Questions regarding external degree equivalencies are referred to the content departments within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for validation.

The content areas currently included in the certification program are:

Secondary (Middle and High School)

English
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics
French
Spanish
Social Studies (including History, Political Science/Civics/Government, Geography, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology)

K-12 (Elementary and Secondary)

Art

Professional Education Core

EDUC 603 Principles and Practices of Research
EDUC 606 Developmental Theory and Experiential Growth
EDUC 554 Microcomputer Applications in Education

Program Course Requirements

REED 617 Content Area Reading
REED 518 Reading and Writing Connections
SCED 51x or 520 Content Area Methods
SCED 510 Secondary Methods and Curriculum
EDUC 564 Induction into the Classroom
EDUC 663 Management and the Learning Environment
SPED 551 Adapting Instruction in Diverse Classrooms
EDUC 613 Classroom Assessment
EDUC 700 Master's Research Paper or Project

Practicum Requirements

SCED 696 Practicum I
SCED 697 Practicum II with Secondary Seminar

Additional Co-curricular Recommendation

A candidate wishing to teach in the middle school may choose to add EDUC 545 Middle School Curriculum and Methods.

Sample 15-Month Course Sequence with Summer Onset

It is significant to note that this program presumes a particular sequence of certain courses. For example, the capstone research project concluding with EDUC 700 as the final program course anticipates two needs: (1) EDUC 603 at the beginning of the program and (2) integration throughout the program of the research topic theme. Therefore, any configuration of course sequence must meet the program needs. Candidates must work with their MAT advisor to maintain the academic integrity of the program design.

Summer - taken as offered during summer sessions

• EDUC 606 Developmental Theory and Experiential Growth
• SCED 510 Secondary Methods and Curriculum
• EDUC 564 Induction into the Classroom
• EDUC 663 Management and the Learning Environment
• EDUC 603 Principles and Practices of Research
• REED 617 Content Area Reading

Fall

• SCED 51x or 520 Content Area in the Secondary School (Methods)
  (capstone research topic identified)
• SPED 551 Adapting Instruction in Diverse Classrooms
• EDUC 613 Classroom Assessment
• SCED 696 Practicum I

Note: Although there are no January session courses, it is anticipated that reading and other assignments for REED 518 will begin during January in order to assist the candidate with the rigor and time demands of Practicum II.

Spring

• REED 518 Reading and Writing Connections
• EDUC 554 Microcomputer Applications in Education
• EDUC 697 Practicum II with Secondary Seminar

Summer

• EDUC 700 Master's Research Paper or Project