COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education is structured to provide both foundational knowledge and practical experience for individuals seeking initial teacher licensure. The program requires completion of core courses that cover essential pedagogical, psychological, and curricular principles. Students take courses such as Principles of Secondary Teaching, Teaching Adolescents in the Secondary School Culture, Seminar in Secondary Education, and Research in Secondary Education, which together provide a comprehensive understanding of instructional strategies, classroom management, adolescent development, and educational research. Additional foundational courses include Psychological Foundations of Education and Foundations of Education and Human Services, which give students insight into the cognitive, emotional, and social factors that affect learning. To address the needs of diverse learners, the program also includes Curriculum Methods for Mild/Moderate Intervention. A key component of the program is the Advanced Practicum, offering hands-on, supervised experience in a classroom setting. This practical component culminates in the Secondary Education Student Teaching Internship, a nine- to ten-credit requirement that allows students to apply their knowledge in real educational environments under professional supervision, developing both confidence and competence in teaching. The MAT program also includes a concentration requirement, allowing students to specialize in a particular subject area such as Art, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, or Social Studies, among others. Concentration courses provide focused content knowledge and instructional strategies relevant to the chosen discipline. In total, the program integrates rigorous coursework with practical teaching experiences to ensure that graduates are prepared to meet the demands of secondary education classrooms. By completing this combination of courses, practicum experiences, and concentration study, students are well-equipped for initial licensure and for entering the teaching profession as competent, reflective, and effective educators.