M.A.T. in Education  Program Flyer

 

Valdosta State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) initial certification program in either Middle Grades or Secondary Education in multiple content areas. This program is designed for those who obtained an undergraduate degree in majors other than education.

The M.A.T. is a fifth-year program beyond a bachelor's degree and is an online full-time program in which candidates may earn a master's degree (M.A.T.) and are eligible for certification at the induction level upon completing the four semester program and passing the required certification assessments. Cohorts begin in June. 

MAT Full-Time Student Track

(Program of study form)

June cohort (as of  Summer, 2020, program begins in June only)

Course ID

Course Description

Hours

MSED 6000

Written and Verbal Communication for Teachers. Practice and application of techniques in verbal and written communication specifically for the middle and secondary classroom. The use of standardized English will be emphasized in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

3

MSED 6001

Planning for Middle or Secondary Teaching. A study of lesson planning skills in content areas, emphasizing the development of measurable student learning objectives, classroom activities, and assessments/measures of learning that align with Georgia State Standards. Classroom management techniques, the creation of effective learning environments, and research-based instructional strategies for adolescents will be introduced.

3

MSED 6004

Content Area Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers. An examination of concepts and theories of literacy, together with methods for reading and writing across content areas to meet the needs of a diverse student population. The utilization of digital technology to design meaningful and engaging learning tasks for middle and secondary students will be emphasized.

3

MSED 5600

Content Methods. 

3

MSED 6003

Differentiation and Multiculturalism. An examination of strategies for differentiating content in order to address the unique needs of students. Exploration of how multiculturalism, social and intellectual diversity, and student choice can collectively increase student engagement and success. The utilization and evaluation of various educational technologies and their appropriateness for curriculum will be emphasized.

3

MSED 6100

Apprenticeship in Teaching. Corequisite: MSED 5600. The final field experience prior to student teaching. Candidates are placed with a content-area mentor teacher in a middle or secondary school daily for a four-week period as one part of their field experience, and in a different setting within their certification grade band for two days per week for ten weeks as a second part of their field experience. A university supervisor will observe and provide additional support. Candidates must successfully complete the apprenticeship experiences in order to be admitted to student teaching. On-campus seminar meetings will occur throughout the semester.

3

MSED 6002

Assessment. A study of lesson planning skills in content areas, emphasizing the development of measurable student learning objectives, classroom activities, and assessments/measures of learning that align with Georgia State Standards. Classroom management techniques, the creation of effective learning environments, and research-based instructional strategies for adolescents will be introduced.

3

MSED 6200

Student Teaching. The culminating clinical field experience for teaching candidates. Candidates are placed under the immediate supervision of a mentor teacher with additional support provided by a university supervisor, and are fully engaged in the processes of planning, instruction, and assessment. On-campus seminar meetings will occur throughout the semester.

6

MSED 6300

Capstone. The culmination of the work in the MAT program. Candidates integrate major philosophical and theoretical fields of thought in education, make connections between their clinical experiences and coursework, and develop a professional approach to education as a new teacher.

3

MSED 6005

Educational Philosophy, Law, and Ethics.  Advanced study of philosophies, current issues, ethics and law related to American public education, including major policies and court cases, educator codes of ethics; major philosophies and theories of learning in education; and the impact of social, political and economic issues on contemporary public education.

3
SPEC 7000 Serving Students with Diverse Needs. An introduction to major issues in the field on special education. Emphasis is placed on understanding the characteristics and etiologies of individuals with diverse needs and on identifying the qualities of home, school, and community environments that support these individuals in achieving their potential. 3

Total Required Hours for the Degree

36

MAT Employed Teachers Track 

 

June cohort (as of Summer, 2020, program begins in June only)

Course ID

Course Description

Hours

MSED 6000

Written and Verbal Communication for Teachers. Practice and application of techniques in verbal and written communication specifically for the middle and secondary classroom. The use of standardized English will be emphasized in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

3

MSED 6001*

Planning for Instruction.*  A study of lesson planning skills in content areas, emphasizing the development of measurable student learning objectives, classroom activities, and assessments/measures of learning that align with Georgia State Standards. Classroom management techniques, the creation of effective learning environments, and research-based instructional strategies for adolescents will be introduced.

3

MSED 6004*

Content Area Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers.* An examination of concepts and theories of literacy, together with methods for reading and writing across content areas to meet the needs of a diverse student population. The utilization of digital technology to design meaningful and engaging learning tasks for middle and secondary students will be emphasized.

3

MSED 5600*

Content Teaching Methods of Middle Grades or Secondary Education.* An examination of teaching methods in middle grades (4th – 8th) and secondary (6th – 12th) education, emphasizing the links between research and a variety of teaching methods and best practice in accordance with national and state standards. Field experience required.

3

MSED 6003

Differentiation and Multiculturalism. An examination of strategies for differentiating content in order to address the unique needs of students. Exploration of how multiculturalism, social and intellectual diversity, and student choice can collectively increase student engagement and success. The utilization and evaluation of various educational technologies and their appropriateness for curriculum will be emphasized.

3

MSED 6010*

Teaching Internship I.* Prerequisite: EDUC 2999. Intended for MAT candidates who have secured employment on a nonrenewable certificate by a school system. The first of two semester-long internships completed in a middle or secondary school classroom in which the candidate is supervised by a university faculty member, and is fully engaged in the processes of planning, instruction, and assessment. On-campus seminar meetings will occur throughout the semester.

3

MSED 6002*

 Assessment.* A study of lesson planning skills in content areas, emphasizing the development of measurable student learning objectives, classroom activities, and assessments/measures of learning that align with Georgia State Standards. Classroom management techniques, the creation of effective learning environments, and research-based instructional strategies for adolescents will be introduced.

3

MSED 6020*

 Teaching Internship II.*  Intended for MAT candidates who have secured employment on a nonrenewable certificate by a school system. The culminating semester-long internship completed in a middle or secondary school classroom in which the candidate is supervised by a university faculty member, and is fully engaged in the processes of planning, instruction, and assessment. On-campus seminar meetings will occur throughout the semester.

6

MSED 6005

 Educational Philosophy, Law, and Ethics.  Advanced study of philosophies, current issues, ethics and law related to American public education, including major policies and court cases, educator codes of ethics; major philosophies and theories of learning in education; and the impact of social, political and economic issues on contemporary public education.

3
MSED 6300 Capstone. The culmination of the work in the MAT program. Candidates integrate major philosophical and theoretical fields of thought in education, make connections between their clinical experiences and coursework, and develop a professional approach to education as a new teacher. 3
SPEC 7000 Serving Students with Diverse Needs. An introduction to major issues in the field on special education. Emphasis is placed on understanding the characteristics and etiologies of individuals with diverse needs and on identifying the qualities of home, school, and community environments that support these individuals in achieving their potential. 3
Employed teachers in the MAT program are recommended for certification once they have completed the 21 credit hours of certification coursework (see courses marked with an *).  Completion of these courses means that the candidate has completed all program assessments and met the standards for certification.  Candidates may opt to exit the program once their clear renewable certificate is awarded and not complete the MAT degree.  

Total Required Hours for the Degree

36

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