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Graduate programs
Master of Arts in Teaching
Annice McLean, Program Director
Hill Hall, Room 419
417-836-6883
AMcLean@MissouriState.edu
Program description
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is a combined graduate degree and initial teacher certification program intended for individuals who hold at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university. The MAT is a teacher certification program approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and is intended for secondary-level and middle-level future educators. The MAT program provides the opportunity for multiple content area certifications and includes extensive site-based clinical experiences in area schools building upon the students' previous coursework and experiences.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet minimum Graduate College requirements for admission.
- Applicants must meet minimum Graduate College requirements for admission.
- Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in, or related to, the area of certification desired. If nine or more hours of course work in the content remains to be completed at the time of admission, the candidate may be admitted conditionally to the program.
- Admission to the MAT will include a departmental review, and a transcript analysis completed by the Professional Education Services office.
Degree requirements (minimum of 36 hrs)
- All students must attempt the Missouri Content Assessment(s) (MoCA) before the end of their first semester of coursework.
- All students must pass the MoCA(s) prior to their student teaching semester.
- Because of certification requirements, a “B” or better is required in all coursework.
- Completion of Missouri Volunteer and Employee Criminal History Service (MOVECHS) waiver and FBI Fingerprinting Background Check prior to starting the second semester of MAT graduate courses. For more information, refer to Compliance Documents Required for Practicum, Internship or Student Teaching, found on the Professional Education Services website.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SFR 750 OR MID 810 |
Philosophies of Education Foundations of Middle Level Education |
3 hrs |
| SFR 751 MID 725 |
Introduction to Teaching and Learning Advanced Theory & Practice in Teaching Early Adolescents |
3 hrs |
| SFR 781 | Applied Educational Research | 3 hrs |
| EDT 662 EDT 665 |
Educational Applications of Computers in the Classroom Selection and Utilization of Educational Technology |
3 hrs |
| PSY 710 | Psychology of Education | 3 hrs |
| SPE 715 | Foundations in Special Education | 3 hrs |
| RDG 710 | Content Area Literacy | 3 hrs |
| RDG 624 | Analysis and Correction of Difficulties in Adolescent | 3 hrs |
| SEC 783 OR SCI 783 |
Internship in Teaching I: Teaching Practicum OR Internship in Teaching Secondary Science I |
3 hrs |
| SEC 784 OR SCI 784 |
Internship in Teaching II: Student Teaching OR Internship in Teaching Secondary Science II |
10 hrs OR 9 hrs |
Research and Comprehensive Examination requirements
Students will enroll in SFR 781 (Applied Educational Research), which will provide instruction on how to utilize and implement educational research to enhance their classroom practice. This course will introduce students to action research and will culminate in a research project presented to the Program Coordinator and Content Area Coordinator during their student teaching semester. This project will satisfy their comprehensive examination requirement.
Graduation requirements
In addition to requirements established by the Graduate College, students must meet required GPA requirements established by Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for educators. Those requirements are a cumulative 2.75 GPA across all degrees earned (based on transcript analysis).
Advisement
Advisement will be facilitated by the MAT Academic Advisor in cooperation with the MAT Program Coordinator. The Office of Professional Education Services will monitor the certification process. All students must attempt the Missouri Content Assessment(s) (MoCA) before the end of their final semester of coursework.
Certification requirements
MAT candidates are required to complete content area coursework in the subject they are pursuing for teacher certification, or pass the Missouri Content Assessment(s) MoCA(s) for that area before being recommended for teacher certification and successfully pass the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES). Content area requirements are determined by the Professional Education Services office as part of the transcript analysis process. Candidates applying for certificate must have 3.00 GPA or higher in both Content and Professional Education coursework.