Program Director: Dr. Roger A. Ladd Associate Professor, Dept. of English and Theatre Web Information Coordinator (WIC) for MAT pages Office: Dial Humanities Building 121 Phone: 910.521.6624 Email

 

General Information

Prospective students should email the Graduate Office at grad@uncp.edu or visit the website at http://www.uncp.edu/grad.

Specific Information for each program of study may be obtained by contacting the Content Area Directors, or by clicking on the links below. Note that some links will take you to information for both MAT concentrations and MA programs.

Area Directors:

• Art Education: Dr. Ann Horton Lopez (Email) 
• Music Education: Dr. Valerie Austin (Email)
• Physical Education: Dr. Denny Scruton (Email)
• English/Language Arts Education: Dr. Roger A. Ladd (Email)
• Mathematics Education: Dr. Raymond Lee (Email)  
• Science Education: Dr. Rita Hagevik (Email)
• Social Studies Education: Dr. Scott Billingsley (Email)

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is an interdisciplinary degree option within the Teacher Education Program. The M.A.T. is intended for graduates from accredited colleges or universities with an undergraduate major in an appropriate field who have few, if any, formal courses in education. The program is available only to those individuals who have not earned a clear license and who are seeking licensure in the teaching field in which they wish to earn the degree. Lateral-entry teachers can clear their lateral entry provisional educator's licenses through M.A.T. coursework.

The program includes courses in teaching pedagogy and professional education as well as concentrated study in in one of the following areas: Art Education, English/Language Arts Education (Middle Grades or Secondary), Mathematics Education (Middle Grades or Secondary), Music Education, Physical Education, Science Education (Middle Grades or Secondary), and Social Studies Education (Middle Grades or Secondary). A 3-hour (10 week) internship is required if the candidate does not provide appropriate documentation of at least one year of successful teaching experience on a lateral-entry provisional license that corresponds to the licensure area of the candidate's MAT concentration.

Program Prerequisites

Although other program areas may be considered, the following undergraduate programs are determined to be most compatible with the selected graduate program of study. Be sure to contact the appropriate area director if you are unsure whether your degree would fit with that concentration, as some concentrations can be more flexible in that regard than others.

• Art Education: B.F.A., B.S., or B.A. degree in studio art.
• Music Education: Music
• Physical Education: Exercise and Sports Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Exercise Science, or Exercise Physiology
• Secondary or Middle Grades English/Language Arts Education: English
• Secondary or Middle Grades Mathematics Education: Mathematics
• Secondary or Middle Grades Science Education: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics
• Secondary or Middle Grades Social Studies Education: History, or Political Science

Degrees in closely related fields may be acceptable; upon application, transcripts will be evaluated and any discipline-specific prerequisites will be specified at the time of admission to a program.

Program Standards

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program was developed according to Standards for Program Approval by the North Carolina Department of Education. It addresses the North Carolina Initial and Advanced Competencies, which include the specialty-area standards for initial licensure, the North Carolina Teacher Standards, and the North Carolina Standards for Graduate Teacher Candidates: Teacher Leadership, Respectful Educational Environments, Content and Curriculum Expertise, Student Learning, and Reflection. The graduate program also reflects the conceptual framework that is common to all teacher education programs at UNCP.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the graduate M.A.T. program, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate breadth of general knowledge, as well as depth of knowledge, in the selected discipline area necessary for effective instructional decision-making.

2. Demonstrate a well-articulated knowledge of elementary, middle or secondary school communities and issues that impact teaching.

3. Exhibit knowledge of and show respect toward diverse cultural values and exceptionalities;

4. Communicate effectively in Standard oral and written English.

5. Adapt instructional strategies to the developmental and learning needs of individuals, including students with special needs and students from culturally diverse backgrounds.

6. Establish a classroom climate conducive to the learning, social, and emotional needs of students.

7. Choose objectives consistent with state and local curriculum guidelines, the learning needs of students, and guidelines established by learned societies.

8. Utilize technology in ways that enhance teaching and learning experiences.

9. Employ and analyze appropriate assessments and evaluative procedures.

10. Establish a pattern of reflective practice and scholarly inquiry culminating in confidence, professionalism, and effectiveness in the role of teacher.

11. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, philosophy and sociology of public education pertaining to the demonstration of best practices in education.

12. Meet departmental requirements for a capstone course, product, and/or examination.

Phases:

The MAT program has two phases:

• Phase I will allow students to apply for the NC Standard Professional I License. This phase will consist of the Professional Core courses: EDN 5040, An Introduction to the Tenets of Education; EDN 5120, Advanced Study of the Exceptional Child; EDN 5440, Survey of Educational Research; and EDN 5450, Introduction to Curriculum Design and Best Practices. An additional Field Experience course—EDN 5460, Field Experience—for 0 credits is also required so that candidates may complete field based assignments in a K-12 environment. Phase I will also require candidates to complete the Professional Development* course, though candidates for the MAT may waive the requirement for Internship after successfully completing a year of full-time teaching under a lateral entry license that matches the licensure area of the MAT concentration. Phase I may also include selected Academic Specialization courses. Candidates should consult with their advisors about whether they should complete the 18-24 hours of courses of Phase I and apply for the Standard Professional I License before entering Phase II.
• Phase II consists of Content Specific courses to complete the Academic Specialization, and Pedagogical Expertise. (Please see each program for specifics). Successful completion of Phases I and II will allow the candidate to apply for the NC Professional M License.