Masters of Arts in Teaching

Greetings,

Thank you for your interest in our Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program in the School of Education at Southern University! This Alternative Certification Graduate program leads toward initial certification, a master's degree, and a mentor teacher certification within one year starting in the summer. You will need to submit an application to the Graduate School, https://www.subr.edu/page/1236. Once your completed application has been received, the graduate school will send it to us for review. Later, the graduate school will contact you with the decision then you will be able to register for courses. You can check Banner to get updates.

Please let us know if you have any further questions. Again, thank you for your interest in our MAT program.

Contact Dr. Emily Jackson-Osagie

Interim Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Email: Emily.Osagie@sus.edu
Microsoft Teams Chat

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is an innovative master's degree program that leads toward certification in K-12 education. This program features an urban education and mentor leader focus, internships, action research and the use of theory to inform educationally just practices creating a diverse group of highly effective teachers. The MAT program is appropriate for individuals who do NOT hold teaching certification but are interested in acquiring initial teacher certification at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels and a master’s degree.   

The curriculum builds expertise from theory and inquiry to action, with challenging and rewarding coursework that is accented by full-time internships in a school placement. Teacher candidates in the MAT program gain knowledge of fundamental teaching methods, work with diverse learners, and understand and leverage the foundations of learning to better serve their students. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

Program Learning Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Teaching program serves as an opportunity to, (1) improve teaching practice, (2) solidify understanding of diverse learners, (3) identify educational theories, and (4) advance leadership skills and abilities in schools and classrooms.  

Program Admission Requirements

To be admitted, candidates must

1. possess a non-education baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university,
2. have a 2.70 or higher grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale,
3. pass Praxis content-specific examinations - (See Louisiana Praxis score requirements here),
4. meet requirements for a Practitioner License (PL)- (https://www.teachlouisiana.net/pdf/applications/PL_Application.pdf),
5. secure a formal offer of employment from a Louisiana School District, and
6. meet other non-course requirements established by the college/university.

Graduation Requirements   

To graduate, candidates must:  

1. complete the MAT Alternative Certification Program with a 2.5 GPA or higher, 
2. Teach on PL for a year while being mentored,
3. pass Principles of Learning in Teaching (PLT), and 
4. apply for a Level 1 certificate once all requirements from above have been met.   

Certification Areas 

• Business Education 
• Early Childhood Education (PK- Grade 3) 
• Elementary Education (Grades 1-5) 
• Health and Physical Education 

Curriculum

The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours focusing on the child development or psychology; the diverse learner; classroom management/organization; assessment; current research-based instructional design and instructional strategies; reading methodologies; methodology and teaching; and supervised internships.

Plan of Study

Course Descriptions

CRIN 503: Foundations of Reading Difficulties

This course presents reading as a language process; also presents models, materials, and skill development used in reading instruction; explores reading instruction in terms of historical perspective, trends, innovation, and technology.

CRIN 563: Trends in Discipline Motivation for Diverse Learners

This course is designed to integrate the research on effective teaching and learning with theory and practice for diverse learners. Students will engage in micro-teaching and will be expected to demonstrate classroom management techniques for behavior modification and other psychological theories to help understand the learner and learning environment.  

CRIN 602: Urban Education

 This course is designed to examine the racial, socioeconomic, cultural, historical, structural and systemic contexts and conditions of urban education. An asset orientation towards urban learners, families, schools, and communities is emphasized. Research on promising efforts to close gaps and create equitable learning opportunities and achievement for school-age students is analyzed.

CRIN 531: Advanced Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties

This course addresses the use of reading assessments to determine classroom intervention and instructional strategies. It provides foundational information about stages of reading acquisition, factors that impact reading success or failure, and the nature of reading difficulties.

CRIN 450: Internship I

The Internship experiences provide for the integration and practical application of theory and methods gained through the formal program of study and allow for development of professional competencies that enhance personal and professional growth.  Participants gain experience planning, instructing and assessing learners in an educational setting with diverse learners and document evidence of their impact on learners. This course includes observation and collaboration with colleagues, mentor teachers and/or university supervisor.

CRIN 527: Methods in Math and Science (Elementary)

This course emphasizes content and process standards and pedagogical instruction that enhance learning in grades 1-5 mathematics and science. Participants will explore teaching mathematics and science through research-based practices, problem-solving, and developmentally effective instructional strategies. Participants also examine assessment techniques, technology tools, instructional leadership, diverse learning needs, and materials management.

CRIN 528: Education for the Culturally Different

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the education of linguistically and culturally diverse learners. Content knowledge covers the fields of ESL, bilingual, and multicultural education and provides examples of effective practices and their underlying research knowledge base. Students are encouraged to engage in critical reflection on classroom practices related to linguistic and cultural diversity, and to apply what they have learned to their own teaching contexts.

CRIN 561: Literacy and Language Diversity

Theoretical foundations and methods of teaching literacy to diverse learners in multiple settings. Participants learn the processes and effective strategies for teaching reading and writing to bilingual and English language learners.

CRIN 451: Internship II (Supervised Clinical Practice)

Participants gain advanced experience in planning, instructing and assessing learners in an educational setting with diverse learners and document evidence of their impact on learners. This course includes observation and collaboration with colleagues, mentor teachers and/or university supervisor.

CRIN 604: Urban Education Leadership (Mentor Teacher Ancillary Certificate Required Course)

 This course provides practicing and potential urban educational leaders with knowledge of contemporary conditions and positive models for effective educational administrative designs, including alternative educational delivery systems. The course also leads toward the Mentor Teacher Ancillary Certificate.  The Louisiana mentor teacher assessment series will be administered through this course.  Candidates must pass all components of the teacher assessment series in order to receive the mentor teacher ancillary certificate. 

CRIN 546: Graduate Seminar in Education Problems (Action Research)

Introduction to identification, analysis, and design formulation of applied research problems in elementary education. The course provides practice in conducting searches, elementary analysis, and deriving appropriate conclusions from applied studies. Students are required to complete and articulate an approved applied research design in prescribed form.

CRIN 524: Methods in Social Studies for Elementary Teachers

This course helps students learn how to implement effective social studies instruction in the elementary classroom. Topics include social studies themes, promoting cultural diversity, integrated social studies across the curriculum, social studies learning environments, assessing social studies understanding, differentiated instruction for social studies, technology for social studies instruction, and standards-based social studies instruction.