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. progam 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:

Mastery of the content of the secondary school subjects.
Skill in implementing basic principles of teaching and learning, integrating theory relating to curricula with practice.
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.
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.
Commitment to continuous professional growth by regularly examining his/her academic knowledge and competence and by assuming responsibility for his/her learning development.
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.
Ability to use first-hand experiences, media and technology in developing concepts and skills
Knowledge of the multitudinous ways in which learners differ and of the procedures available for adapting instruction to complement learner difersity.
Ability to use a variety of instructional strategies aimed toward enhancing the learner’s higher ordered learning and performance skills.
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

Requirements

The dual teacher education preparation program includes the broad base of liberal arts courses required of all University students. These requirements are described in this catalog under “Requirements for Graduation.” Specific requirements for candidates enrolling in secondary teacher education programs are as follows:

Academic Courses: Candidates preparing to teach in secondary schools must complete major requirements in an appropriate teaching field as prescribed by the Department or School in which the major is pursued.
Professional Education Courses: Professional education courses are pursued at the graduate level. Candidates who earn a cumulative 3.0 average may begin taking graduate courses during their junior year. Information concerning the five-year dual program (M.A.T.) may be found in the graduate catalog.
Professional Methods Courses and Student Teaching: Unconditional admission to the Teacher Education Program is required for enrollment in the methods courses and student teaching.
PRAXIS Core: Candidates must attain the the qualifying score on the PRAXIS Core in order to enroll in the graduate Methods course.
Candidates must complete 100 consecutive days of the student practicum in order to be eligible for certification as having been graduated from an approved program.
PRAXIS II: Candidates, prior to graduation, must meet the state qualifying score on the appropriate PRAXIS II tests, in order to be certified as having been graduated from a state-approved teacher-education program.
GPA: Candidates must acquire and maintain a GPA of 3.0 (or higher) in order to be eligible for graduation.
Praxis Core and Praxis II Scores: PraxisCore and Praxis II scores must be submitted to the Department Chair by November 1 (fall graduation) or April 1 (spring graduation

Criteria for Admission to Teacher Education Certification Programs:

Elementary Education

In order to be unconditionally admitted to the Elementary Education Teacher Certification Program, the applicant:

has passed ENGL 101 - ENGL 102 with a minimum grade of “C” in each.
is not pursuing “developmental courses” at the time of application.
has complied with the requirements for completing the application process.
has completed a minimum of 60 semester credits
has completed EDUC 200 , ELED 210 , and EDUC 301 with at least a “B” in each course.
has satisfied the Maryland State Department of Education’s score requirements for the PRAXIS Core.

Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (156)
Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing (162)
Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math (150)

has earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

Teacher Education Certification Graduation Requirement:

Elementary Education

Candidates upon completing the Elementary Education Teacher Certification Program must, prior to graduation, successfully complete (i.e., meet the state qualifying scores on) the Praxis Core and Praxis II assessments. The Praxis II assessment include: Elementary Education: Instructional Practice and Applications (5019) – (qualifying score – 155) and Principles of Learning and Teaching K – 6 (5622) - (qualifying scores 160). Additionally, candidates must acquire and maintain a mimimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.