M.A.T. Courses
Core Curriculum
ED500 Contemporary Educational Issues: Focus attention upon certain significant contemporary developments in the American and world communities in relation to which philosophies and functions of educational institutions in our current society may be examined. (Take within first 9 S.H. of study. This course is only valid for 5 years. You may need to retake course if you need additional time to complete the program.)
ED502 Secondary Student Teaching (Grades 7-12) for the M.A.T. Program: Designed to support candidates in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program, this course provides experience in planning, conducting instructional activities and assessment of student performance in a secondary school under the guidance of a trained cooperating teacher. Full time for one semester. Includes a weekly seminar. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology Department. Students are urged not to be employed during the student teaching program.
ED503 Educational Psychology: A constructivist approach to child growth and human development, specifically focusing on the ways that concepts and principles from research and theory may be applied in the classroom. Learning will be viewed through a developmental approach. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology Department.
ED514 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas: Designed to help teachers better understand the relationships between content and process by focusing on the skills that children need to comprehend content in various curriculum areas and teaching strategies.
ED530 Curriculum of the Secondary School: This course encompasses a study of the changes, developments, and responsibilities of the secondary school curriculum. The problems and needs of youth are examined and serve as a basis of study for the secondary school program.
ED532 Computer Literacy in Education: This course is developed for educators in order to provide information about using computers in education, knowledge of resources, and experiences through which to address issues pertinent to computer curriculum development, integration, implementation, and evaluation.
ED 546 Inquiry in the Classroom: This course introduces candidates to inquiry in the context of the classroom. Candidates explore appropriate resolutions to questions and issues, learning how to create knowledge from this questioning to enhance students’ learning in the classroom. Assessment, qualitative, quantitative, and action research methodologies are applied to instructional decision making. Pre-requisite: Acceptance into the Master of Arts in Teaching Program.
ED 571 Urban Education Experience: This course is designed to enhance participants’ knowledge of urban schooling as related to the dynamics of race, class, and culture through the analysis of historical, socioeconomic, and political factors influencing urban education. The distribution of opportunity is explored through instructional and organizational practices designed to close the achievement gap and build positive school cultures. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology department.
ED592 Capstone Project in Education: This course requires educators to complete an instructor-approved practices capstone project in a K-12 educational setting. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or M.S. in Education program; completion of ED 500, ED 501, EPY 505, and 21 graduate credits. Grading: pass/fail.
ED593 Standards, Mandates, and Legal Issues in Teaching: Supports Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) documents relevant to the education of Secondary Education educators and identifies standards appropriate to their identified Special Program Alignment (SPA). Teacher candidates will prepare for the Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) Program assessment standards. Teacher candidates will have opportunities to discuss the student teaching experiences and observed “best practices”.
EPY509 Exceptional Learners: Children & Adolescents: Helps teachers understand exceptional students and their educational issues by focusing on managing these problems in the regular classroom. Includes methodologies for differentiating instruction for exceptional students including special education and talented & gifted.
Secondary Mathematics Option Content Courses
ED/MAD549 Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools: This course provides secondary teacher candidates the content and pedagogy necessary to develop an understanding of the methods and materials needed to become effective teachers of mathematics. Candidates are introduced to assessment methods and learn to integrate current instructional technologies into their teaching. Emphasis is placed on strategies for differentiating instruction. Candidates develop lesson plans and units of instruction, practice delivering instruction, and observe secondary teachers of mathematics in the field. In addition, they examine current curricular reform movements and consider their impact on mathematics education in the secondary school. The implications of state, national, and international testing movements, state standards/frameworks, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards as well as the NCATE standards are considered. This course will be taught by a member of the Mathematics Department. Prerequisite: Admission to the Professional Secondary Education Teacher Preparation Program and registration in secondary education professional semester courses or Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of both the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology Department and the Chair of the Mathematics Department.
MAD513 Topics in Secondary School Mathematics Education: An in-depth study of a single topic or collection of related topics of current interest in secondary school mathematics education. Topics will vary depending on developments in mathematics education and student or program needs. Topics might include curriculum developments, applications, research on teaching, technology, current research on mathematics education, or similar topics. May be repeated for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: Must hold a valid teaching license or be admitted to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program in mathematics.
Secondary Science (Biology) Option Content Courses
ED/BIO566 Teaching Science in Secondary Schools: Designed to foster confidence in teaching secondary science teacher in the middle or high school (6-12). The course will focus on Nature of Science, instructional strategies fostering development of science concepts, mastering of process skills, organization, assessment, and growth of positive attitudes in the areas of science. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology department or (non-M.A.T.) Admission to the Professional Secondary Education Teacher Preparation Program. Co-requisite: Registration in secondary education professional semester courses.
ED/BIO 605 Applied Research Techniques in Biology: Students will acquire and apply skills and techniques for designing and conducting laboratory, field, or computer based research projects in the biological and environmental sciences. Students will design research questions, articulate testable hypotheses, design, set-up and conduct experiments, including analysis of data under the supervision of a faculty member that may be used in school settings. Prerequisites: Admittance to the MAT Biology or MA Biology Degree Program or permission of the Department Chair.
Secondary World Language (Spanish) Option Content Courses
ED/SPA567 Applied Linguistics in Spanish: Provides a specific analysis of complex grammar structures and their relationship to learning and teaching Spanish as a second language, and Spanish for heritage speakers. It highlights specific problem areas for students and involves the practical application of theories to classroom learning and teaching. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of both the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology department and the Chair of the World Languages and Literature department.
ED/SPA568 Teaching Spanish in Secondary Schools: Content and Pedagogy: Provides candidates in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program with an understanding of the methods and materials needed to become a competent teacher of Spanish at the secondary level. Emphasis is placed on making content knowledge accessible to diverse student populations. Candidates are introduced to assessment methods and learn to integrate current instructional technologies into their teaching. They develop lesson plans and units of instruction and practice delivering instruction. The course will include an examination of the current curricular reform movements and their impact on the teaching of Spanish in the secondary school. Implications of state and national standards are considered. This course will be taught by a member of the World Languages and Literature Department. Candidates must receive a grade of B or higher in order to enroll in student teaching. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or permission of both the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology Department and the Chair of the World Languages and Literature Department.
