Apr 01, 2025  
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
Catalog Home
Introduction to the University
Academic Colleges & Offices
Programs of Study
Undergraduate Minors
General Education Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Undergraduate Studies
Graduate School
University Regulations & Policies
Services, Facilities, & Activities
My Catalog
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education, MAT

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program in Elementary Education is appropriate for individuals who do not hold any teaching certification. It is designed for those interested in acquiring the initial teaching skills for students at the elementary education level and, for those with French language proficiency, the pedagogical expertise required to teach in elementary French immersion programs.

Two concentrations are offered in the program: Elementary Education and Elementary French Immersion. Both concentrations are offered in an intensive cohort design that begins in a summer session and ends, 14 months later, upon completion of the subsequent summer session. Students matriculate as a cohort for the duration of the program, which spans four academic terms (two summer sessions bookending an academic year comprised of two regular semesters, a Fall semester and a Spring semester). New students may begin the program only in a summer session with the start of a new cohort.

The program offers courses delivered in both traditional and hybrid formats, and all courses include state competency requirements for K-12 classroom teachers.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, admission to both concentrations of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program in Elementary Education require submission of official score reports that demonstrate a passing score (or equivalent) on the Praxis Core and Elementary Content exams and satisfactory GRE scores.

Those applying to the Elementary French Immersion concentration also must demonstrate an intermediate-high level of French proficiency by either (1) having earned a four-year, undergraduate bachelor’s degree in French and/or Francophone Studies or (2) a score of B1 level on the European Framework exam (DELF)/Intermediate High on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

The GRE requirement for admission will be waived for applicants to this program who possess an undergraduate (adjusted or cumulative) GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants who receive the GRE waiver shall be required to submit an essay of no less than 500 words that speaks to his or her potential as an elementary/elementary French immersion teacher.

Requirements

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program in Elementary Education consists of 39 graduate credit hours that include the following components:

  • Core Courses (27 credit hours)
  • Residency Courses (6 credit hours)
  • Research Capstone Courses (6 credit hours)

Both concentrations include courses in educational foundations, reading, content methodology, management, and assessment. The Elementary Education concentration includes more assignments within the core courses related to Educational Research in Elementary. The Elementary French Immersion concentration includes more assignments within the core courses related to French Immersion pedagogy and additional coursework on immersion methods and specific linguistic issues pertaining to second language acquisition and the teaching of content courses in another language; in addition, candidates in this concentration must attain the advanced-low level to participate in the residency and an advanced-mid oral language proficiency level to complete the degree.

Core Courses

All students must complete the following 27 credit hours of required core coursework:

Residency Courses

All students are required to complete 6 hours of the following residency course over two semesters of study (Residency A in the Fall semester and Residency B in the Spring semester):

Research Capstone Courses

Candidates for the MAT degree in Elementary Education shall demonstrate a general, comprehensive knowledge of the field of study upon successful fulfillment of the requirements of the following concentration-specific research capstone courses:

Elementary Education Concentration:

Elementary French Immersion Concentration:

Progression

The order in which students shall complete the above degree requirements will depend uponthe concentration pursued. Upon application, students shall choose a concentration and, upon admission and registration, they shall complete the concentration pathway as outlined below.

Elementary Education Concentration

Elementary French Immersion Concentration

Notes

There is no thesis requirement.