Dr. Starlin Weaver, Program Director
Advisement for the program is available from the Secondary and Physical Education Department.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a professional degree cohort program designed to prepare students for initial teacher certification. Candidates in this program must possess an earned baccalaureate degree and appropriate content coursework for certification in one of the following state approved areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French, history, mathematics, music (vocal and instrumental, physics or Spanish. This NCATE and Maryland State Department of Education-approved program prepares candidates for licensure to teach at the secondary and K-12 levels.
The M.A.T. is a collaborative degree program offered by Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Students are admitted by a joint admissions process and take coursework on the campuses of both universities, taught by the faculties of both institutions.
Students apply for admission to either SU or UMES, depending upon which university offers the appropriate Maryland State Department of Education-approved content area program for teacher certification. SU offers approved programs in the areas of biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French, history, mathematics, music (vocal and instrumental), physics and Spanish.
UMES offers approved programs in the areas of agriculture, art, biology, business, chemistry, English, family and consumer sciences, mathematics, social studies and technology education.
Admission to Program
Admission to the M.A.T. at SU requires the following additional application documents and requirements specified by the department:
-
Submit to Salisbury University official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended indicating a baccalaureate degree in an appropriate content area*.
-
Possess an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, or possess a prior graduate degree.
-
Complete Salisbury University application for graduate program admission.
-
Complete a Residency/Domicile Information Form (if applying for in-state tuition).
-
Submit Maryland State Department of Education approved passing scores for Praxis Core or Maryland State Department of Education equIVA- lent scores (SAT, GRE or ACT).
-
Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the following criteria:
-
Undergo a structured interview by appropriate M.A.T. Admissions Committee.
* Content Area Deficiencies: Typically candidates are admitted to the M.A.T. program with no more than one content course deficiency. (See content major checklists on the SU website.) Candidates, once admitted, are expected to meet with their education advisor to develop an approved plan of study for completion of necessary content area coursework deficiencies as well as program coursework. It is essential that each candidate and advisor meet to clarify the specific requirements for program completion. Praxis II Content may be required for admission into the program, see program director for more information. All program and content courses must be completed with grades of C or better before the degree is conferred.
Internship
M.A.T. candidates will complete an internship in a Professional Development School under the supervision of a mentor teacher and a University supervisor. This internship will consist of a minimum of 100 days. In order to meet the 100 days requirement, interns are required to follow the calendar of the school district in which the PDS is located. Students will also be required to follow the University calendar with respect attendance at the internship seminar. If an M.A.T. intern is in a paid teaching position in his or her field during the internship semester, assigning a mentor teacher to that intern will be waived if the intern has demonstrated at least two years of successful teaching in that classroom prior to the academic year of the internship. “Successful teaching” will be determined through documented evaluation by a school administrator in a supervisory position that provides him or her sufficient knowledge of the intern’s teaching performance, as well as issuance of a contract for a third year in the position. If the M.A.T. intern is not assigned a mentor as per this policy, the mentoring fee will be waived for the intern. All other internship policies will apply to the intern: he or she will attend the M.A.T. seminar course and will enroll in EMAT 507 and EMAT 509 , with a University supervisor assigned.
Admission to Internship
Prior to internship, M.A.T candidates must do the following:
-
Complete 27-30 semester hours of graduate credit.
-
Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no more than six credit hours below a grade of B in the program.
-
Complete the prerequisite courses required for the program. Candidates may repeat professional courses only once.
-
Exhibit appropriate professional program candidate dispositions.
-
Complete and return a Background Affirmation to Conway Hall p353, Field Experience Office.
-
Complete an application for formal admission to the internship by the deadline set by the department.
NOTE: Candidates will not be admitted to internship if they are on probation.
Graduation Requirements
-
Complete 36-39 credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. At least a grade C must be earned in all professional program courses with no more than six credit hours of C or C+.
-
Complete all prerequisite content: All candidates who lack appropriate content coursework are expected to take the identified courses before their degree is conferred.
-
Complete successfully the M.A.T. program portfolio exam.
-
Pass Praxis II exams or other exams as required by Maryland State Department of Education for certification in the content area.
Checklist
This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.
Return to: