Teaching Dual Certification, M.A.T.

Candidates desiring to teach at the secondary level should follow the five year M.A.T. Program described in the Graduate Catalog. The M.A.T. program requires candidates during their undergraduate years to major in the Department corresponding to the discipline in which they desire to teach. Candidates may apply to the M.A.T. program at the end of their Sophomore year and begin taking graduate classes in the evening beginning in their Junior year.

The Program:

The Dual Certification program offers courses and learning experiences designed to provide students with: (1) those skills and competencies in professional education and subject matter fields that are required for effective teaching at the secondary school level; (2) the basic understanding and knowledge in the foundations of education that support the development of teaching as a profession; and (3) a sound basis for advanced study that will lead to more effective teaching or to careers in related areas. Successful completion of prescribed courses and experiences will enable the teacher education candidate to demonstrate:

1. Mastery of the content of the secondary school subjects.
2. Skill in implementing basic principles of teaching and learning, integrating theory relating to curricula with practice.
3. Ability to plan effective teaching-learning activities for the secondary school student by stating objectives in terms of expected behavioral outcomes and by evaluating secondary school instruction in terms of stated objectives.
4. Knowledge of the changing role expectations that society holds for secondary school education by exhibiting an understanding of the articulated goals of education curricular organization.
5. Commitment to continuous professional growth by regularly examining his/her academic knowledge and competence and by assuming responsibility for his/her learning development.
6. Knowledge of the secondary school curriculum in relation to the learner’s development and his/her social, cultural and linguistic background as related to the larger society.
7. Ability to use first-hand experiences, media and technology in developing concepts and skills
8. Knowledge of the multitudinous ways in which learners differ and of the procedures available for adapting instruction to complement learner diversity.
9. Ability to use a variety of instructional strategies aimed toward enhancing the learner’s higher ordered learning and performance skills. 
10. Ability to use diverse motivational strategies. The Department offers the dual degree program for the preparation of secondary school teachers in the following subject areas: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and Physical Education with a concentration in one of the following: Health, Recreation, Pre-Professional Physical Therapy, and Sports Administration. See graduate catalog