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Academic Programs: Dual Certification: Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (K-5) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)
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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs: Graduate
Dual Certification:
Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (K-5) and
Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)

Coordinator: Nancy Lauter
Office: University Hall, Room 3163
Phone: (973) 655-5407
Email: lautern@mail.montclair.edu

Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program in Elementary Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities is a 48 credit program designed to provide graduate students with a master's degree as well as dual certification: initial certification to teach Kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5) and certification to teach students with disabilities in K-5 settings. Students who apply to this program must hold a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts field, complete the Graduate School Application, and meet Graduate School requirements. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children, including children with special needs. Applicants must also achieve a passing score on the Praxis II test for Elementary Education: Content Knowledge.

Course Requirements for Dual Certification MAT (K-5) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD):

Required Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society 3
ECSE 508 Strengthening Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities 3
ELRS 503 Methods of Research 3
READ 500 The Nature of Reading 3
SPED 566 Language-Based Learning Strategies for Use in Inclusive Settings 3
SPED 567 Instructional Planning for Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings I 3
SPED 579 Special Education for Students with Disabilities 3
SPED 584 Assessment and Evaluation in the Inclusive Classroom 2
SPED 585 Technology for Inclusive Classrooms 2
SPED 588 Promoting Prosocial Behaviors in Inclusive Settings 2
 
Content/Methods Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 517 Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3
MATH 577 Mathematics Education in the Elementary School 3
 
Professional Sequence Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 2
 
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 5
OR
ECEL 514 In-Service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching 5
 
ECEL 522 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Diverse Elementary Classrooms 3
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 48 credits

Additional Student Responsibilities:
  • Students are responsible for seeking advisement from their academic advisor for registration and completion of degree requirements.
  • Students are responsible for completing the Physiology and Hygiene requirement and Speech requirement for state certification.
  • Any student who does not have child development as an undergraduate must take the course on a graduate level.
  • All MAT students must register to take the Comprehensive Exam during the Clinical I semester. The exam is administered once in the spring and fall semesters. Registration for the fall exam is due October 1st and February 15th for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
  • Registration for the fall exam is due October 1st and February 15th for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
  • It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with all policies designated in the graduate catalog and the current Center of Pedagogy Teacher Education Handbook.
  • Students are required to apply to the Center of Pedagogy for Clinical I placement the semester before placement begins.
  • In order to complete the program, students must file proper forms in the Registrar's Office - October 1 for May graduation, March 1 for August graduation, and June 1 for January graduation.
  • Applications for Certification are required to be submitted to the Registrar's Office during the following period: October 15 to November 15 for January graduation, March 15 to April 15 for May graduation, and July 1 to August 1 for August graduation.
  • Any variation from this work program must be approved by the Graduate School through the proper filing of a substitution form.