MAT - Elementary Education

DEGREE: MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING - 39 hours
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING (Lutheran Teacher Diploma) - 59 hours

Degree Requirements

Complete 39 semester hours of course work as indicated including the Master's Capstone Experience, and all general education competency requirements. Students seeking Lutheran Teacher Certification must complete an additional 20 semester hours in prescribed Theology courses.

Previous course work and life experience of the student will be evaluated to determine if additional hours will be needed. Students who complete the program will be awarded a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and will be eligible to apply for an Initial Elementary (Type 03) teaching certificate.

GPA Requirements
A grade of '"C" or better must be achieved in all courses. Plus, the candidate must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on all coursework taken toward the Master of Arts in Teaching. For courses identified as 4000 level, candidates must receive a “B” or higher.

All candidates graduating from certification programs must show evidence of passing scores on all tests leading to Illinois Certification in order to be considered a program completer.

Refer to the College of Education Handbook for information related to additional program requirements.

General Education Competencies for the M.A.T. Programs

Communications Skills

• 3 semester hours-English Composition II or equivalent
• 3 semester hours-Fundamentals of Speech or equivalent

Mathematics

• 3 semester hours above Intermediate Algebra

Natural Sciences (one lab science course required)

• 3 semester hours-Biological Science
• 3 semester hours-Physical Science

Humanities*

• 9 semester hours in at least two different areas

Social Sciences*

• 9 semester hours in at least two different areas

*One of the courses in these two areas must be classified as a Non-Western or Third-World course. Students also must complete American History or American Government from these areas.

Students also may demonstrate completion of advanced work in a specialty area common to the elementary school curriculum.

Students may meet competencies in each of these areas via the successful completion of appropriate course work, through assessment of life experiences, i.e. credit for prior learning (CPL) or CLEP exams.

Areas of Study

A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all courses except those identified as 4000 level, in which candidates must receive a “B” or higher.

• Prerequisite to Methods Courses (6 hours)
• EDU-6040 Classroom Teaching Skills
• PSY-6505 Psychological Theories and the Educational Process
• Professional Courses (21 hours)
• Required
• PSY-4410 Psych and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner
• EDU-6035 Curriculum and Methods for Teaching Elementary and Middle School Art, Music, & PE
• EDL-6100 Research in Education
• EDU-6201 Teaching of Reading
• EDU-6510 Standards Based Education
• Choose one
• EDU-6420 History of the American Educational Experience
• EDU-6430 Philosophies of Education
• EDU-6440 History of Western Education
• Choose one
• THY-6400 The Christian in Society
• EDL-6300 Ethics of School Leadership
• Professional Instructional (Methods) Course (3 hours)
• EDU-6025 Teaching Science and Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom
• Professional Semester (9 hours)
• EDU-6060 Classroom Management and Assessment
• EDU-6921 Student Teaching: Elementary Education
• Capstone Experience
• Standards-based portfolio with an oral defense
• Clinical Experience
• 100 hours
• Lutheran Education – all required for Lutheran Teacher Diploma (20 hours)
• THY-2000 The Old Testament
• THY-2200 Faith of the Christian Church
• THY-3100 The New Testament
• THY-3200 Christian Life
• THY-3300 History of Christian Biography
• THY-4410 World Religions
• THY-4505 Spiritual Nurture of the Elementary School Age Child

Required Field Experience

The student must complete a minimum of 100 clock hours of field experience prior to student teaching structured to include guided observation, instructional support, individual tutoring, small group instruction, and large/whole group instruction. The following courses provide a structural framework for clinical experiences:

• EDU-6025 Teaching Science & Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom*
• EDU-6040 Classroom Teaching Skills
• EDU-6060 Classroom Management and Assessment*
• EDU-6201 The Teaching of Reading
• PSY-4410 Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner

* Students must be admitted to the Professional Instructional Courses prior to taking these courses.

Middle School Endorsement

Middle School Endorsement in specific content areas may be awarded to students by entitlement if at the time of graduation the following criteria are met:

• EDU-4500: Middle School: Assumptions and Curriculum
• PSY-4105: Developmental Psychology: Middle Childhood
  or
  PSY-4110: Developmental Psychology: Adolescence
• 18 semester hours in an approved content area (methods courses may not count toward the required 18 semester hours) Students seeking endorsements after they have received their initial certification by entitlement will apply for endorsements directly through the State of Illinois.
• Mathematics majors are required to take MAE-4606 Teaching Secondary/Middle School Mathematics.

Monitoring Student Progress

Transition Points have been established to monitor student's progress toward achieving expectations and meeting performance standards. Students who do not meet expectations may be referred to the Graduate Student Academic Review Committee, the Care and Concern Committee, or the Admission and Appeals Committee. These committees make recommendations for remediation, probation, suspension or expulsion of the student as appropriate. Actions may be appealed using the established university appeals process. These Transition Points are described below:

Transition Point 1

An assigned academic advisor meets with the student for development of the degree plan.

Transition Point 2

The following criteria must be met prior to enrollment in methods courses:

• Completion of a minimum of 20 hours of clinical experience
• Successful completion of the Illinois Test of Basic Skills
• Criminal Background Check
• 3.00 Concordia GPA in graduate work

Candidates are responsible for completing all prerequisite coursework as listed in his/her catalog. All requirements must be met prior to application. Applications are submitted to the Office of Field Experience.

Transition Point 3

Prior to student teaching, the student must be accepted for admission (and registration) into the Professional Semester. Requirements for acceptance include

• Completion of 80 pre-professional hours
• Successful completion of the Illinois Subject Matter test
• A 3.00 Concordia GPA in graduate coursework
• Verification of Portfolio Transition Point #2

Application for the Professional Semester must be one semester before student teaching. An intent to student teach must be filed with the Office of Field Experience at least one year prior to student teaching.

Transition Point 4

The Capstone Experience, a portfolio based on INTASC and ILPTS standards, is completed by the student during or after the final semester of coursework.

Transition Point 5

Prior to the awarding of the degree, the academic record of the student will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar and Certification Officer to ensure that all requirements have been met by the student. Prior to program completion, students must pass the Assessment of Professional Teaching: Elementary Education examination.