 |
Curriculum and Teaching
MAT Coordinator: Dr. Adrienne Santola
Graduate Advisors MAT: Dr. Adrienne Santola
santolaa@mail.montclair.edu, University Hall, Room 2125
Students with a baccalaureate degree and interest in teaching may earn the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
and a teaching certificate simultaneously. The regular program is open to students who wish to teach one of the following
subjects in K-12 schools:
- fine arts
- English
- foreign languages (French, Spanish)
- mathematics
- music
- health and/or physical education
- science (chemistrry, earth science, physics, biology
- social sciences (history)
- TESL(Teaching of English as a Second Language)
- Or teacher of students with disabilities.
Students may also pursue elementary/early childhood education, or special
education ("teacher of the handicapped" certification).
Program Goals and Admission Criteria
In selecting students for the MAT program, Montclair State University
uses criteria which are related to the kinds of knowledge, skills and
dispositions we expect graduates of our Program to possess.
In making decisions on acceptance to the Program, faculty consider such criteria as GPA,
knowledge of content of major area of study, commitment to teaching and its varied responsibilities,
and communication abilities, both written and oral. These criteria enable faculty to assess
the likelihood that candidates will achieve the goals inherent in the "Portrait of a Teacher".
("The Portrait of a Teacher" outlined below is a model toward which students in the Program
strive.)
Admission Requirements:
Candidates for admission to the MAT program must file an Applicationfor Graduate /Post
Baccalaureate Admission to the Graduate School, including all supporting materials by February 15 to be considered
for Summer/Fall admission or by September 15 for Spring admission. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at
least 2.70 overall, and in the teaching field is required, along with qualifying scores on the general Graduate
Record Exam. A higher gpa in the teaching field maybe required by some departments.
In addition to
transcripts and GRE scores, two recommendations from school or college faculty, or administrators, must be submitted.
It is expected that students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language.
As part of the application process, a candidate's academic background in the subject he or she wishes
to teach will be assessed by faculty from the academic department. Further undergraduate course work in that subject may be required,
in addition to the M.A.T. degree requirements listed below. If required, these courses may be taken concurrently
with other program requirements, but must be completed prior to student teaching.
As a general rule, M.A.T.
candidates who are assessed to have strong academic backgrounds in the subjects they wish to teach may have
little or no additional undergraduate course work to compete. (An example would be a candidate who possesses
a degree in mathematics who wishes to teach mathematics.) Those pursuing special education must complete
approximately 9 additional semester hours in that teaching field. M.A.T. candidates who wish TESL
(Teacher of English as a Second Language) must also satisfy the requirements for a linguistics major,
which may add 36 semester hours to their programs.
After the application deadline, candidates will
be notified about the next step in the application process, which may include interviews (with an academic or pedagogical departmental
faculty and/or admission committee), writing samples, and portfolio review or audition (the latter applies
to art and music candidates).
Students who are accepted to the MAT program will be assigned to academic & pedagogical faculty
advisors whom students should consult each semester. Since students' backgrounds differ, they should not
take courses without advisement. The course of study listed below is generic and may differ in detail for
individual students.
General questions about the MAT program should be directed to Ms. Charity Dacey,
Director, Teacher Education Admission, (973) 655-4139 or Ms. Susan Hagen, Department Administrator in Curriculum and Teaching, (973) 655-6980
Criteria for
Retention in Program
Students who are accepted to the Program are evaluated periodically.
They should review the Teacher Education Handbook to determine criteria used to determine eligibility for student
teaching and the University's recommendation for certification. By New Jersey Department of Education regulation,
teacher education students in most certification areas must pass the appropriate PRAXIS II Examination.
Consult the bulletin board outside University Hall 1162 to determine which test you must take.
Prerequisites:
A course in psychology,
fulfillment of all requirements stipulated by the teaching field department, and an academic background
of at least 60 semester hours of general education, distributed among the arts, humanities, math, science,
technology, and the social sciences. Unfulfilled prerequisites will be listed on the student's official
work program and are considered requirements for the degree. A memorandum from the departmental teacher
education advisor of the teaching field must be submitted, listing major (teaching-field) course work
necessary for certification and/or the M.A.T. degree.
| Course work in Professional Education required for certification: |
| Number |
Name |
Hours |
| CURR 599 |
Curricular and Social Dynamics of Schooling |
3 |
| EDFD 520 |
Development of Educational Thought |
3 |
| |
A course in teaching reading |
3 |
| |
A course in teaching critical thinking |
3 |
| |
Major department methods course |
4 |
| CURR 500 |
Fieldwork in Education |
2 |
Professional Semester:
Total Semester Hours: 29-31 |
| Number |
Name |
Hours |
| CURR 502 |
Graduate Seminar in Professional Education |
1 |
| CURR 511 |
Supervised Graduate Student Teaching |
1 |
| OR |
| 514, 515 |
In Service Supervised Graduate Teaching I and II |
8 |
| CURR 528 |
Teaching for Learning |
3 |
| |
Departmental (major) Seminar (if required) |
1 |
Courses in the Teaching Field or Related Fields:
Total Semester Hours: 12 |
| Advanced Educational Psychology and a Human/Intercultural Relations course must
be included if not fulfilled elsewhere and must be taken prior to the Professional Semester. At least 6 semester hours
of graduate courses in the teaching field (major) are required. |
Additional Courses in Professional Education:
(May be taken after certification)
Total Semester Hours: 6 |
| Number |
Name |
Hours |
| CURR 522 |
Innovations in Teaching |
3 |
| ELRS 503 |
Methods of Research |
3 |
If the student has essentially achieved the objectives of part of the program,
that portion of the requirements may be waived upon (1)recommendation of the MAT advisor and (2) review
and approval by the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. However, the number of graduate
credits may not be reduced below 32, and other requirements of the University and Teacher Certification
Program still apply.
Certification:
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be recommended to the
New Jersey Department of Education for a teachingcertificate. Students interested in teaching elsewhere
should seek information from the appropriate state authorities; requirements are generally similar.
Under the conditions of New Jersey's Beginning Teacher Induction Program, those who have completed
undergraduate or post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs must successfully complete an
induction program of teaching under a provisional certificate to be eligible for a permanent or standard
New Jersey teaching certificate. Exempted from this requirement are persons who already possess a New Jersey
standard certificate and are seeking an additional New Jersey certificate as well as those who are recommended
for certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities. Persons recommended by the University for certification who have
passed the appropriate Praxis examination, will receive a Certificate of Eligibility With Advanced Standing
which authorizes the holder to seek and accept offers of employment in New Jersey schools and in other states.
The certificate is valid for the lifetime of its holder.
Note: Certification requirements are subject to change
(see Teacher Education). |
|
|
