M.A.T. Programs

During PHASE I of the program post-baccalaureate courses allow candidates to complete the requirements for an initial NC teaching license in Elementary Education K-6, including student teaching. At the completion of PHASE I and the candidate’s passing scores on the Pearson Required Tests in Elementary Education, the individual is eligible for the “A” (initial) NC teaching license. Should the individual choose not to proceed to PHASE II, he/she has completed the requirements for the initial teaching license in Elementary Education K-6 only.

The individual choosing to receive the MAT degree in Elementary Education K-6 must apply for graduate candidacy and be admitted to PHASE II of the program. In PHASE II the candidate enrolls in an additional 9 hours of graduate coursework in order to complete the remaining requirements for the MAT degree and to be eligible for the “M” level NC license in Elementary Education K-6. Coursework includes research methods, educational leadership, and curriculum development. The Elementary Education Comprehensive Examination is also required at the completion of these 9 hours.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: To provide an M.A.T program in Elementary Education that provides candidates with the experiences needed to become 21st century professionals.

• To provide the candidate opportunities to investigate research and best practices in elementary education and teacher leadership, both theoretical and practical across all areas of content.
• 1.2 To provide opportunities for the candidate to gain knowledge about the learning environment through global connections and real‐world context.
• 1.3 To assist the candidate in developing the skills needed for ongoing personal and professional reflection to extend student learning and overall school improvement.

Goal 2: To facilitate the M.A.T in Elementary Education candidate’s acquisition of the 21st century knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to produce globally competitive P-12 students.

• To assist the candidate in the development of knowledge of the core subjects and the interconnectedness across disciplines.
• To assist candidates in developing and using assessment tools for both formative and summative assessment systems in the elementary classroom.
• 2.3 To assist the candidate in incorporating 21st century content and skills such as Creativity, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Information Literacy, Media Literacy, ICT Literacy, and Leadership into the elementary school curriculum.

Goal 3: To help prospective M.A.T teachers to develop the leadership skills needed to effectively collaborate, facilitate change and innovation, and make informed decisions which impact student success.

• To provide candidates opportunities to develop skills in communication, collaboration, and leadership those positively impact the elementary school environment.
• To provide candidates with opportunity to read and analyze research regarding teacher leadership and innovative programs in elementary schools.
• To provide candidates with opportunity to read and analyze research regarding teacher leadership and innovative programs in elementary schools.
• To make candidates aware of the decision making process within a school environment.

Goal 4: To promote the MAT Elementary Education candidate’s understanding of how to develop a learning environment that is nurturing, inclusive, healthy, and safe.

• To assist candidates in developing a global awareness which promotes understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of ethnic, cultural, religious and personal differences as they play out in the classroom and community.
• To assist candidates in gaining strategies for classroom management that prepares them to maintain a safe educational learning environment.
• To help candidates gain awareness regarding issues of poverty, and the needs of varying student populations as they affect the learning process.