M.A.T. in Middle Grades/Secondary Education Full-Time Student Program Flyer

M.A.T. in Middle Grades/Secondary Education Employed Teachers 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, with two curriculum tracks. This program is designed for those who obtained an undergraduate degree in majors other than education.

The Employed Teacher track is for those who are currently teaching on a non-renewable (provisional) certificate. It is designed as a two year program; at the end of the first year a candidate may be recommended for inital renewable certification (T-4) and at the end of the second year a candidate may earn a master's degree (M.A.T.) with a T-5 certification.

The Full-Time Student track of the M.A.T. is a fifth year program beyond a bachelor's degree and is a full-time day time program in which candidates may earn a master's degree (M.A.T.) and renewable teaching certification in four semesters. Cohort groups begin in June or January.

Schedule of Course Offerings

MAT Full-Time Student Track

Program of Study

 

June cohort - As of Summer 2020, program begins in June only 

Offered only in:

Course ID

Course Description

Hours

Summer

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

Summer

MSED 6001

Planning for Middle or Secondary Teaching. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Summer

MSED 6004

Content Area Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Fall

MSED 5000

Content Methods. Mathematics Methods (5100), Science Methods (5200), Social Science Methods (5300), English Language Arts Methods (5400), Methods for Teaching Reading (5500), and Content Teaching Methods for Middle Grades or Secondary Education (5600).

3

Fall

MSED 6003

Differentiation and Multiculturalism. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Fall

MSED 6100

Apprenticeship in Teaching.Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. Corequisite: MSED 5100, MSED 5200, MSED 5300, MSED 5400, or MSED 5500. 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

Spring

MSED 6002

Assessment. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Spring

MSED 6200

Student Teaching. Prerequisites: EDUC 2999, SPEC 3000, MSED 7100. 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

Summer

MSED 6300

Capstone. Prerequisites: EDUC 2999. 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

Summer

MSED 6005

Educational Philosophy, Law, and Ethics. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Summer

 RSCH 7100 Research Methodology in Education. This course provides a study of methods used to conduct educational and educationally-related research and includes critical analysis of selected research articles and research design. Emphasized is the ability to use research and research methods to improve practices in educational and educationally-related settings. 3

Total Required Hours for the Degree

36

MAT Employed Teachers Track 

Program of Study

June cohort - As of Summer 2020, program begins in June only

Offered only in:

Course ID

Course Description

Hours

Summer

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

Summer

MSED 6001*

Planning for Instruction.*  Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Summer

MSED 6004*

Content Area Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers.* Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Fall

MSED 5600*

Content Teaching Methods of Middle Grades or Secondary Education.* Prerequisites: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Fall

MSED 6003

Differentiation and Multiculturalism. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Fall 

MSED 6010*

Teaching Internship I.* Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Spring

MSED 6002*

 Assessment.* Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Spring

MSED 6020*

 Teaching Internship II.* Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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

Summer

MSED 6005

 Educational Philosophy, Law, and Ethics. Prerequisite: Appropriate 2999 course. 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
Summer MSED 6300 Capstone. Prerequisites: Appropriate 2999 course. 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
Summer  RSCH 7100 Research Methodology in Education. This course provides a study of methods used to conduct educational and educationally-related research and includes critical analysis of selected research articles and research design. Emphasized is the ability to use research and research methods to improve practices in educational and educationally-related settings. 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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