MAT Secondary Education (6-12)
Overview
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed to offer realistic, practical preparation for enriched classroom teaching through a balanced program of liberal arts and professional studies. Courses throughout the program focus on inquiry — the processes by which students and teachers ask questions, study, and learn about the human experience.
Program coursework includes requirements for initial teacher licensure in the area of Secondary Education (6–12). To be recommended for teacher licensure and the MAT degree, students must complete all relevant program requirements, major in a relevant content area, pass all relevant assessments, and receive the MAT degree. The MAT program offers close contact with faculty members and advisors and extensive observation and hands-on experience in the classroom.
Practicum Requirement
The practicum experience is designed for MAT students who are preparing to teach as a career. Students have the opportunity to observe and assist teachers in the classroom and to discuss their experiences with the instructor and other students. Students are required to complete 140 clock hours of practicum experience. Through this experience, students become familiar with the dynamic culture of schools and classrooms and their curricula, teaching strategies, and organizational and management features.
Students learn more from the practicum experience if they actively assist in the classroom. The student should confer with the cooperating teacher regarding graduate course assignments to be completed in the practicum and plan how the MAT course assignments can best be accomplished. In the practicum, students work under the supervision of an experienced teacher and begin to apply the knowledge and skills gained in MAT courses in the context of today’s classrooms. The practicum requirement also includes completion of a practicum journal, documenting the student’s actual time in the classroom (clock hour form) as well as activities and reflections upon the classroom experiences. Students should refer to the “Graduate Practicum Handbook” available on the myMBU School of Education tab for additional information on this requirement.
Requirements
Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout the program and must have earned a minimum of 35 credit hours.
Secondary Education (6-12)
VDOE Secondary English Endorsement Area Requirements
Major in English (bold courses required) or minimum of 36 credit hours of English coursework, which must include the following:
- English Basic Grammar/Composition (3)
- Oral Language/Communication (3)
- Media Literacy (3)
- Survey of American Literature (3)
- Survey of British Literature (3)
- Ethnic or Minority Literature (3)
- World Literature (3)
- Young Adult Literature (3)
- Advanced Composition (3)
- Literary Theory & Criticism (3)
- Development/Nature of English Language/Linguistics (3)
- Teaching of Reading/Writing/Research (3)
VDOE Secondary History & Social Science Endorsement Area Requirements
Minimum of 51 credit hours of History, Political Science, Geography, and Economics coursework, which must include the following:
- American History I (3)
- American History II (3)
- Virginia History (3)
- World/Western History I (3)
- World/Western History II (3)
- African-American History (3)
- American Government (3)
- Virginia State & Local Government (3)
- Political Science Elective (3)
- Political Science Elective (3)
- Political Science Elective (3)
- Political Science Elective (3)
- Geography (3)
- Geography Elective (3)
- Geography Elective (3)
- Economics (3)
- Economics (3)
Additionally:
- English Composition (3)
VDOE Secondary Mathematics Endorsement Area Requirements
Major in Mathematics or minimum of 36 credit hours of Mathematics coursework, which must include the following:
- Algebra (3)
- Linear Algebra (3)
- Abstract Algebra (3)
- Geometry (Euclidean & non-Euclidean)
- Analytic Geometry (3)
- Probability & Statistics (Math prefix) (3)
- Discrete Mathematics (3)
- Calculus (3)
- Multivariable Calculus (3)
- Mathematical Modeling (3)
- Computer Science (2 or more program languages) (3)
- Math Elective (3)
Additionally:
- English Composition
Additional Requirements
- Students must meet the requirements of the Teacher Education Program - Initial Licensure Levels of Progression
- To be processed for licensure, students must earn a B- or better in Student Teaching
- No areas of concern on the Professional Qualities and Dispositional Traits evaluation
- Participation in required student and program evaluations
- Passing scores on applicable Praxis II as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Successful completion of certification or training in emergency first aid, hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED)
- Successful completion of Virginia State and Local Civic Education module (for Secondary History and Social Science endorsements only)
- Successful completion of the following modules: Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting, Cultural Competency (or take ED 646), Dyslexia Awareness, Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia, Special Education Meaningful IEP Training and Building a More Inclusive School Community, and the Professional Ethics Module