The Master of Arts in Teaching degree allows individuals to work toward a graduate degree while completing coursework leading to teacher certification. Candidates may work toward middle school or high school certification in social studies, English, science, and mathematics. Elementary education (1-6), special education (K-12) and Art K-12 are also available. Candidates for certification are required to complete certain coursework at the undergraduate level as well as at the graduate level. Those interested may contact the Director of Advanced Programs in Education for information related to the specific area of certification desired. (See also the section on Post-BA certification below as well as the section on teacher certification elsewhere in this catalog.)
The degree is structured to provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge, technical skill, and confidence to become self-directed, lifelong learners and to extend the critical reflection and creative energy embodied in the program to impact students, colleagues, and the school communities in which they work. Programs are approved through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) - formerly the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Admission
For detailed information on university admission policies, please refer to Graduate Admission information.
Degree Requirements
Participants must successfully complete 33 semester hours of graduate credit (Special Education is a 36 semester hour program). Prospective applicants should also review the general information on graduate programs provided in the graduate section in this catalog.
Students seeking certification through this degree must also complete a number of education courses to meet the requirements of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Program Approval
Students must apply for program approval during the second semester of their sophomore year, upon completing 45 hours. Transfer students apply for program approval in their second semester at Fontbonne University. Program approval is based upon the following criteria:
- Completion of EDU 569 without conditions (or a transferred course equivalent);
- Qualifying scores on the Missouri General Education Assessment;
- Satisfactory completion of the program’s approved dispositional assessment
- Successful performance of the essential functions of a major in the Education/Special Education Department
- A cumulative, blended GPA of 3.00* for all professional coursework from all colleges/universities attended;
- A cumulative, blended GPA of 2.75* from all colleges/universities attended;
- For middle school candidates, a 3.00* cumulative GPA in the content area of choice;
- For high school/secondary candidates, a 3.00* cumulative GPA in the content area of choice.
*Content/professional courses must be graded courses; pass/fail grades are not accepted
Program Approval with Conditions
This designation is available on a one-time only, one-semester basis, and indicates that the student is deficient in one or more of the above categories. The student may continue to major in a certification program with conditions once, for one semester only. Students who do not eradicate all deficiencies will not be allowed to continue in a certification program, will not be admitted into the teacher certification, and therefore, will not be allowed to student teach.
Rejection for Program Approval
Students who show little or no capability to successfully complete requirements for a certification program in the department will be rejected for program approval, will not be allowed to enroll for additional education coursework in that major, and will be referred for career counseling pursuant to a change of major. A General Studies major with an emphasis in education (which does not lead to certification), could be an option for such students.
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