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Academic Catalog '11-'12 | Education (M.A.T.)

Education (M.A.T.)

Faculty

Roberta Dorr, Associate Professor of Education
Deborah Litt, Associate Professor of Education
Bweikia Steen, Assistant Professor of Education

Description

The graduate program in teacher education offers the Master of Arts in Teaching degree (M.A.T.) and prepares graduate students for teaching careers. The Teacher Education Program culminating in the M.A.T. is state approved and meets certification requirements of the District of Columbia.

Through a sequenced course of study, students gain knowledge, skills, and experiences for initial teaching certification. Most of the professional education courses require a practicum, internship, or other field experiences in addition to regular class meetings. The program may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis; however, one semester of full-time study is required for the student teaching internship in the last semester of the program. Student teaching internship placements are made by Trinity and take place in public and private school systems in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Faculty in the School of Education advise students on their course of study based on state certification requirements regarding both general education and professional education course work. In some instances, additional general education course work may be required. Please refer to teacher certification requirements.

The M.A.T. is offered in early childhood, elementary, or special education, selected areas of secondary education (English and social studies), and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

Prospective students for Trinity's M.A.T. Program should refer to the School of Education's Policy on the Praxis Examinations.

Summary Pass-Rates on Praxis Exams (TITLE II DATA)
Type of Assessment
Institutional
Pass Rate
Statewide
Pass Rate
Aggregate - Basic Skills 100% 99%
Aggregate - Professional Knowledge & Content 93% 93%

Application to Student Teaching

Students may student teach when all of the following conditions are met:

1) General Education Requirements are completed;

2) Education Core Courses are completed;

3) Education Methods Courses are completed;

4) Subject Area Comprehensive Examination is completed;

5) Secondary Education Subject Area Courses are completed (secondary teacher candidates only); and

6) Students are in good academic standing.

During the semester before prospective teachers plan to student teach, they must complete an application for student teaching. The application form must be signed by the student and the student's academic advisor in the School of Education and delivered to the Program Director of Teacher Education.  The completed and signed form is due to the Director before the end of priority registration in the Fall or Spring the semester prior to the time when the student wishes to student teach.  Trinity has sole authority to make all student teaching placements.  Failure to complete this form and obtain the requisite approvals on time may disqualify prospective teachers from student teaching during the desired semester.

Course Requirements and Specializations

General Education Requirements

For the Secondary Education Specialization, see additional content area requirements.

Intensive Master of Arts in Teaching Program

The intensive M.A.T. is a one year, three semester, full-time program leading to eligibility for certification in elementary education. The content of the intensive M.A.T. program is the same as the regular M.A.T. program but in a different delivery format. Students pursuing the M.A.T. in the intensive format begin in May and follow a carefully designed and supported sequence of course work and field experiences over three semesters. Students may need to complete additional undergraduate general education course work to meet state certification requirements.

The intensive M.A.T. program consists of a comprehensive and innovative series of classroom and field-based experiences designed to promote the development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes essential for effective teaching. The program stresses the application of theory to practice.

Early Childhood Education Specialization, Ages 3-8

The early childhood education specialization requires 36 credits, and the course of study provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field-based experience for students desiring to work with young children in nursery, kindergarten, and primary schools; child care and Head Start programs.

Core Requirements (12 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 601
(no credit; must be taken first semester student is enrolled)
EDCC 510
EDCC 530
EDCC 541
EDCC 600

Specialization (18 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDTE 610
EDTE 611
EDTE 612
EDTE 613
EDTE 614
EDTE 627

BOTH of the following courses:

EDTE 671
EDTE 689

Elementary Education Specialization, Grades 1-6

The elementary education specialization requires 36 credits of course work, and the course of study provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field-based experiences for students desiring to work with elementary school students in grades one through six.

Core Requirements (12 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 601
(no credit; must be taken first semester student is enrolled)
EDCC 510
EDCC 530
EDCC 541
EDCC 600

Specialization (18 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDTE 621
EDTE 622
EDTE 623
EDTE 624
EDTE 627

Student Teaching Internship and Seminar in Teaching (6 credits)

BOTH of the following courses:

EDTE 673
EDTE 689

Secondary Education Specialization, Grades 7-12

The secondary education specialization requires 33 credits and provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field experiences for students desiring to teach English or social studies at the middle and high school level (grades 7 through 12). A student must have a 3.0 GPA in the content area in which he or she wishes to teach. Students must meet with an academic advisor to assess prerequisite course work necessary to meet the requirements of their respective areas of specialization.

State Certification Requirements for Secondary Subject Areas

The courses listed below are required in addition to general education and professional education requirements. Students wishing to be certified in a content area must pass both content and pedagogy areas of the Praxis II required in their area.

English: Thirty-six (36) semester hours is required in course work from the following: writing process, American literature, English literature, linguistics, oral communication, world literature or comparative literature, multicultural literature, drama, journalism, adolescent literature, and mythology. The academic advisor reviews the undergraduate transcripts to determine what courses apply to this content area and whether additional content area courses are required.

Social Studies: Thirty-three (33) semester hours is required in course work from the following: history, world history, United States history, the history and government of the District of Columbia, physical or cultural geography, economics, political science, and at least one course in international relations, global studies, law, philosophy, psychology, sociology, social science, or anthropology. The advisor reviews the undergraduate transcripts to determine what courses apply to this content area and whether additional content area courses are required.

Core Requirements (12 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 601
(no credit; must be taken first semester student is enrolled)
EDCC 510
EDCC 530
EDCC 541
EDCC 600

Specialization (15 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 605
EDCI 650
EDTE 641
EDTE 642

ONE of the following courses, as appropriate:

EDTE 644
EDTE 646

Student Teaching Internship and Seminar in Teaching (6 credits)

ONE of the following courses in student teaching, as appropriate:

EDTE 681
EDTE 683

AND ONE seminar in teaching:

EDTE 689

Special Education Specialization (Non-categorical)

The special education specialization requires 36 credits and provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field-based experiences for students desiring to teach children and youth with special needs in a variety of special education settings. Upon successful completion of all requirements and Praxis II in Special Education, the student is eligible for non-categorical certification, kindergarten through grade twelve.

Core Requirements (12 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 601
(no credit; must be taken first semester student is enrolled)
EDCC 510
EDCC 530
EDCC 541
EDCC 600

Specialization (24 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 605
EDTE 629
EDTE 630
EDTE 634
EDTE 636
EDTE 637

Student Teaching Internship and Seminar in Teaching (6 credits)

BOTH of the following courses:

EDTE 675
EDTE 689

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Specialization Grades 1-12

The TESOL specialization requires 42 credits of course work that provide a comprehensive core of knowledge and field experiences for students desiring to work with students for whom English is not their primary language. Students must meet the General Education Requirements for certification and have additional credits in foreign language. Upon completion of all requirements and Praxis II in TESOL, the student is eligible for certification, kindergarten through grade 12.

Core Requirements (12 credits)

All of the following courses:

EDCC 601
(no credit; must be taken first semester student is enrolled)
EDCC 510
EDCC 530
EDCC 541
EDCC 600

Specialization (24 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCI 607
EDCI 627
EDCI 640
EDCI 641
EDCI 642
EDCI 643
EDCI 646
EDCI 647

Student Teaching Internship and Seminar in Teaching (6 credits)

BOTH of the following courses:

EDTE 677
EDTE 689

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through Advanced Placement Examinations may fulfill general education requirements for certification courses in cases where the student has earned a 4 or 5 on the examination and the credits have been reviewed by the School of Education faculty members.

CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP Examinations may fulfill general education requirements for certification courses in cases where the student has earned a score that confers credit following the guidelines of the ACE and the credits have been reviewed by the School of Education faculty members.

Grades in Education Courses:
Undergraduate students are required to earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all Education core courses and a GPA of 3.0 in Education methods courses to fulfill requirements for the major, the minor, and/or the undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program. Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and may have no more than 3 credits below a B- in order to graduate.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling the major, minor, or undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program -- including general education courses required for certification -- may not be taken Pass/No Pass.

Student Assessment System:
The School of Education has a Unit Assessment System aligned with its goals, to ensure that all candidates have the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to be successful in their respective fields. In conjunction with the Unit Assessment System, the teacher preparation programs (B.A. and M.A.T.) have assessments designed to ensure that teacher candidates meet the standards of their professional associations. Key assessments have been designed to measure a candidate’s progress through the program. Most of these assessments are embedded in course work, with the exception of the Comprehensive Examination required prior to student teaching. The Comprehensive Examination is scheduled each semester, and a qualifying score is a prerequisite to the Internship (Student Teaching). All candidates must successfully complete all key assessments in order to fulfill the requirements of their program. Academic advisors explain the assessment system to candidates after their acceptance into the School of Education.

Study Abroad:
Courses taken through a study abroad program approved by Trinity may count toward general education courses required for certification, pending review and approval by education faculty and the faculty of the appropriate academic program. In general, education courses taken abroad will not count toward the major, minor, or undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program.

Praxis Policy:
Passing scores on the Praxis I are required to register for all education courses at the 300-level and above. See the School of Education's Policy on the Praxis Examinations.

Experiential Credit Policy:
Credits earned through experience may count toward general education courses required for certification, pending review and approval by education faculty and the faculty of the appropriate academic program. In general, experiential credits may not substitute for education courses counted toward the major, minor, or undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program.

Transfer Credits:
Transfer credits may be awarded only after appropriate program review. Courses at the 400-level and above must be completed at Trinity. Courses taken as part of the School of Education program of study must be taken at Trinity.

Course Descriptions

Explanation of Course Prefixes and Numbers
Courses designated EDCC are core courses and common to various programs in the School of Education. Courses designated EDTE are largely specific to the M.A.T. teacher education program. Students pursuing an M.A.T. in Teaching English to speakers of other languages, as well as students in Early Childhood Education, take several courses designated EDCI, which are offered in conjunction with the Curriculum and Instruction Program.

EDCC - Core Courses

EDCC 510
EDCC 530
EDCC 541
EDCC 600
EDCC 601
EDCC 605
EDCC 697
EDCC 698

EDCI - Courses offered in conjunction with Curriculum and Instruction and Master of Arts in Teaching programs

EDCI 607
EDCI 627
EDCI 640
EDCI 641
EDCI 642
EDCI 643
EDCI 644
EDCI 645
EDCI 646
EDCI 650

EDTE -Teacher Education (M.A.T.) Courses

EDTE 610
EDTE 611
EDTE 612
EDTE 613
EDTE 614
EDTE 621
EDTE 622
EDTE 623
EDTE 624
EDTE 627
EDTE 629
EDTE 630
EDTE 634
EDTE 636
EDTE 637
EDTE 641
EDTE 642
EDTE 644
EDTE 646
EDTE 671
EDTE 673
EDTE 675
EDTE 677
EDTE 681
EDTE 683
EDTE 689
EDTE 690
EDTE 698
EDTE 699

Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.

Questions may be directed to Virginia Broaddus, Ph.D., Provost at BroaddusV@trinitydc.edu.

For teacher education courses, check Continuing Education  Archived Course Descriptions and Schedules.

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