Teaching, M.A.T.

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 Associate of Advancing Quality Preparation (AAQEP). 

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 (DESE). 

Learning Outcomes

• The teacher Candidate will show competence in the nine standards required in the State of Missouri and the four standards in the National accreditation board of AAQEP. (Missouri Teacher Standards and AAQEP standards via MEES)
• The teacher candidates will model effective verbal, nonverbal, written, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the classroom. (Disposition Survey)
• The teacher candidate will demonstrate higher order and critical thinking skills as a reflective practitioner who continually assess the effects of choices and action on others.  The reflective practitioner actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally and utilizes the assessment and professional growth to generate more learning for more students. (Longitudinal reflective Key Assessment)
• Analyze, design, and intervene/implement via strategies and procedures to engage unique behaviors, standards, and achievement of the individual needs of an elementary education student grades 1-6. (Longitudinal reflective Key Assessment)
• Apply educational concepts and models to manage and analyze student data sets, to support decision-making and to produce solutions to real-world problems concerning the elementary aged student and families. (Philosophy Paper)

Admission

For detailed information on university admission policies, please refer to Admission Policies  information.

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;

*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.

Re-enrollment Upon Completion of a Graduate Degree in the Department of Education/Special Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is established for pre-service teachers seeking initial certification. The Master of Arts degree in Education is established for teachers who wish to earn a degree for professional development. Therefore, those completing the Master of Arts degree in Education may not re-enroll for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Those completing the Master of Arts in Teaching degree may apply for admission to the Master of Arts degree in Education. Those making application must be able to plan a full 33 hour program with his/her graduate advisor. See other departments in the catalog for additional degrees offered at Fontbonne.

Accelerated Master’s Program

Details regarding the accelerated master’s programs with the Master of Arts in Teaching can be found below.