Master of Arts in Teaching

The Masters of Arts in Teaching was specifically designed for mid-career professionals who want to change careers and make a difference by teaching. The program gives professionals the tools they need to be successful in the classroom by complementing the skills and knowledge acquired in their careers.

Visit http://www.teachforachange.org/ for more information about this consortium degree.

 

• Possess a B.A. or B.S. from an accredited college with a major or minor in a teachable area.
• Maintain a “B” average in the major.
• Complete the College of Graduate Studies Admissions Package.
• Have an interview with faculty in Education.

 

• Be on the leading edge of educational practice.
• Be emotionally ready to teach.
• Know everything you can know.
• Be an example of excellent teaching.
• Respond to students with enthusiasm for their success.

 

Objectives

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• Make evident an understanding and command over key concepts, theories and data regarding society and social problems.
• Be able to critically evaluate social research.
• Make evident an understanding of the process of management and supervision of personnel
• Demonstrate their ability to fiscally manage an organization and to pursue revenue and manage expenses.
• Develop the writing and presentation skills to communicate to a variety of professional audiences.
• Able to articulate strategies for reform and human empowerment related to their own contexts.
• To be aware of ethical and legal issues concerning the administration of human service agencies.
• To be able to successfully market and convey the mission of non-profit agencies.
• To be able to pursue funding from various sources.

Each student will compile a portfolio and portfolio presentation exemplifying what has been gained from the program, and how the program knowledge could be implemented in a classroom and/or school. The portfolio may be electronic, written, posters, photo’s, video, etc. and any combination of these presentation types. The portfolio supplants a comprehensive final exam. The portfolio will reflect the following goals of the program. Each student will present their portfolio to the faculty in the College of Education . IT is expected you will perform up to the level of either professional or exceptional to pass your portfolio presentation.

 

 

Core Curriculum

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Course Number	Course Name	Credits
MAT 500	Orientation to Professional Education	3
MAT 530	Multicultural Education	2
MAT 544	Instructional Technology	2
MAT 561	Introduction to Exceptionalities	3
MAT 584	Cognitive Psychology Applied to Learning	4
MAT 602	Strategies in Health Enhancement	3
MAT 615	Assessment of Learning	2
MAT 625	Teaching Reading in the Content Area	2
MAT 670	Secondary Teaching Procedures	2
MAT 682	Pre-Professional Integrative Experience	2
MAT 695	Secondary Internship	12
MAT 696	Content Area Project	5
	Total	42

 

Students need a minimum of 30 graduate credits for a masters degree in secondary education. Students with undergraduate credits meeting state certification requirements may have up to 12 graduate credits waived.

Purpose

To analyze, and/or develop curriculum elements for a subject area.

Guidelines

• Analyze a component of curriculum. Include both local and expert documentation.
• Present data and written analysis of an approved curriculum element.
• Develop an assessment program or pilot an assessment.
• Develop an innovative curriculum module.

 

Each M.A.T. student will complete a research paper for each course in addition to other course requirements. The general criteria for the paper will be discussed in each class.

 

 

The Online MAT Program in Secondary Teaching provides a curriculum for mid-career professionals who want to change careers. MAT students now have the opportunity to complete the professional requirements without leaving their current place of employment.

This is an active learning experience provided online between UGF instructors and students. The Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching is an online degree program. Through Bellevue University ’s exclusive Cyber-Active Learning Classrooms the student will experience a rich and fulfilling learning experience.

All requirements for certification are the same as the traditional campus based MAT program.

 

Course Descriptions

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MAT 500 Orientation to Professional Education . A general survey of the American education system and its place in American society. Upon completion of this course, candidates will be able to demonstrate understanding of: 1) the foundation underlying the development and organization of public education, including its purposes, administrative organization, financial aspects, broad functions and operations, professional ethics, conduct, rights and responsibilities; and 2) the structure of the financial support of the Montana school systems.
3 credits

MAT 530 Multicultural Education. Upon completion of this class, candidates will be able to demonstrate an understanding and respect for a broad range of cultural expression, to incorporate that knowledge in a sensitive and humane manner to promote understanding among people of differing economic, social, cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and religious backgrounds, and to develop a classroom social climate that values diversity.
2 credits

MAT 544 Instructional Technology. The application of computer technology to instruction is emphasized. Topics include: teacher productivity elements, internet applications; and the use of software for instruction. Teacher productivity is emphasized, and applications are extended to assessment. Sources and resources for instruction utilizing technology are applied. Macintosh and IBM computers are used in this course.
2 credits

MAT 561 Introduction to Exceptionalities. This course is a foundation course, which introduces the student to the various exceptionalities and provides an opportunity to observe first-hand in the school setting the procedures and practices in the education of individuals with disabilities. Various forms of diversity are studied along with how exceptionalities affect families. The federal mandate to provide a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children and adolescents with disabilities is closely reviewed.
3 credits

MAT 584 Cognitive Psychology Applied to Learning. Current development and cognitive theories are analyzed and their application to instruction is developed through an active learning environment. Psychological principles of instruction are identified and applied to assessment, planning, and development of instruction. Critical motivational concepts and the psychology of individual differences are also examined and applied to instruction.
4 credits

MAT 602 Strategies in Health Enhancement. Application of educational theory in planning, analyzing, and presenting learning experiences in health enhancement for students.
3 credits

MAT 606 Special Populations and the Law. A detailed examination of Special Education Law will be carried out while studying how to access answers to specific questions pertaining to the administrator in the school setting in the Federal Rules and Regulations for Special Education pertaining to the administrator in the school setting. Diverse groups as well as diverse settings will be reviewed in conjunction with their relationship to IDEA.
3 credits

MAT 615 Assessment of Learning. The major purpose of this course is to study the theoretical and practical aspects of the use of assessment in understanding student achievement. The course has been designed to familiarize students with the various purposes of assessment and the types of assessment used in school settings to document academic achievement.
2 credits

MAT 625 Teaching Reading in the Content Area. Techniques and materials particularly suited to the instruction on the secondary level will be learned and examined. Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate: 1) recognition of the need to plan instruction based on the reading and literacy strengths of individual learners rather than emphasizing weaknesses; 2) recognition of fluent integration of text information and reader knowledge; and 3) use of reading strategies.
2 credits

MAT 670 Secondary Teaching Procedures. This course will emphasize best teaching practices employed in secondary and middle schools. Areas covered include planning lessons, writing objectives, classroom management, discipline, instructional strategies, interdisciplinary methods, creating a positive and supportive classroom environment, and school curriculum including state standards.
2 credits

MAT 682 Pre-professional Integrative Experience. This course will provide the students with pre-professional experience in a school setting prior to the internship. The initial portion of this class will consist of 24 hours of classroom instruction followed by 60 hours of school placement. Once in a school, the studentwill assist the mentoring teacher with planning and instruction. Through this experience the student will demonstrate knowledge of classroom activity, procedure, and the relationship of classroom structure in the school setting. Professional development and professional ethics will be emphasized during this experience.
2 credits

MAT 695 Secondary Internship. This experience will provide the inter direct daily contact with students in a teacher/pupil relationship under the guidance of a classroom teacher and a university supervisor. Complete planning and management responsibilities will be carried out with mentoring teacher’s guidance. The dispositions and professional responsibilities, of the professional teacher will be demonstrated during this experience. Prerequisite: MAT 672 and admission to the teacher education program and internship through application.
2 credits

MAT 696 Content Area Project. In this course the student will complete a curriculum development, evaluation or other analysis project regarding curriculum. The project will require the approval of a full time faculty advisor. The maximum time allowed to complete this project is one year from registration date for Med 650.
5 credits