MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING IN SECONDARY EDUCATION / TESOL

Offering Options in Secondary Education (Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish)

Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education Grades 7-12

Coordinator: Patricia Michael, michaelp@wcsu.edu

Purpose of the Program

The mission of the MAT in Secondary Education/TESOL is to prepare secondary educators to work collaboratively in varied settings and cultural contexts. Using an inquiry approach, the program prepares secondary educators to differentiate instruction, advocate for diverse learners, assess, and create interventions. The program prepares educators to work collaboratively with colleagues and families in culturally diverse populations in secondary schools and communities to impact student learning.

Goals, Objectives, and Learning Outcomes

The goals, objectives and learning outcomes of WCSU’s MAT Secondary Education/TESOL Program are varied and are critical to facilitate the development of secondary educators to work in diverse classrooms. The program is designed to prepare educators to:

1. Graduates of the program will be demonstrate and apply knowledge of content;
2. Synthesize and apply central concepts, structures of the discipline, and tools of inquiry of the content areas; organize this knowledge, integrate cross-disciplinary skills, and develop meaningful learning progressions for secondary students as indicated by the design of learning segments.
3. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to plan, develop, and adjust services that meet the needs of diverse learners;
4. Understand the role of professional judgment and practical knowledge for improving all students’ development and achievement as indicated by performance in residency.
5. Accurately assess and analyze student learning, reflecting on adjustments needed for both instruction and assessment as indicated by the impact on student learning.
6. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to use relevant pedagogical skills and educational psychology knowledge in the planning, development, delivery and assessment of professional services   in support of relevant educational goals;
7. Use foundational knowledge to design and/or implement an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum as indicated by clinical performance in residency.
8. Graduates of the program will demonstrate professional dispositions that are consistent with the conceptual framework and in accord with professional, state, and institutional standards.
9. Demonstrate expertise in working collaboratively with colleagues to design instruction as indicated by clinical performance in residency.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who wish to be admitted to the program must submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Studies:

1. Application for admission to the Office of Graduate Studies and a $50 application fee – Graduate Application
2. One official transcript mailed (not hand-delivered) to the Office of Graduate Studies from each college or university previously attended, including all earned grades and degrees.
3. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of a 2.7 or higher is required
4. Undergraduate major in the certification area (Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish)
5. Passing score on the ACTFL exam for those applicants seeking Spanish certification
6. Two letters of reference Recommendation Form
7. Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Graduate students in the program must complete the requirements for the degree within six-years.