School of Education

Director:Dr. Irene P. Aiken
Professor
Chair, Department of Professional Studies, Middle Grades and MAT
Office: Education Center, Room 136
Phone: 910.521.6450 
Email: irene.aiken@uncp.edu

 

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

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is an interdisciplinary degree option within the Teacher Education degree program. The M.A.T. is intended for graduates from accredited colleges or universities with an undergraduate major in humanities, sciences, or social sciences who have few, if any, formal courses in education. The program is available only to those individuals who have not earned licensure and who are seeking licensure in the teaching field in which they wish to earn the degree.

The program will include graduate work in the teaching pedagogy and advanced professional education coursework in one of the following areas: Art Education, English Education, Mathematics Education, Middle Grades Education, Music Education, Physical Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education. A 3-hour (10 week) internship is required if the candidate does not provide appropriate documentation of at least one year of successful K-12 teaching experience.

Although other program areas may be considered, the following undergraduate programs are determined to be most compatible with the selected graduate program of study:

· Art Education : B.F.A., B.S., or B.A. degree in studio art.

· Middle Grades Education : English, Mathematics, History, Political Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics

· Music Education : Music

· Physical Education : Exercise and Sports Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology

· Secondary English Education : English

· Secondary Mathematics Education : Mathematics

· Secondary Science Education : Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics

· Secondary Social Studies Education : History, Political Science

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

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 standards in Instructional Expertise, Knowledge of Learners, Research Expertise, Connecting Subject Matter and Learners, and Professional Development. The graduate program 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.

The M.A.T. program includes a minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate work in the teaching pedagogy and professional education coursework plus 18 hours in advanced coursework in a content-specific area, for a total of 36 hours. If documentation of one year of successful K-12 teaching experience is not submitted, a 3-hour internship is required for a total of 39 semester hours.