Master of Arts In Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching concentrations: 

• Art PreK-Adult
• Biological Sciences 9-Adult
• Business Education Comprehensive 5-Adult
• Chemistry 9-Adult
• ​English 5-Adult
• General Science 5-Adult
• Math 5-Adult
• Music PreK-Adult
• Social Studies 5-Adult
• Wellness PreK-Adult

Master of Arts in Teaching Progression Sheet

Admission is based on a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, grade point average (overall and content area), transcript analysis, passing scores of required examinations, and other information found on the application form. All Master of Arts in Teaching candidates complete a program application.  

An official copy of your undergraduate transcript showing your degree and the date on which it was granted must be mailed directly from your undergraduate or graduate college or university to the Office of Graduate Studies. Concord alumni do not need to submit a transcript; alumni transcripts are located in the registrar’s office. However, if you have attended more than one college or university, an official transcript must be sent from that institution to the Office of Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope. A hand delivered transcript is not acceptable. 

Decisions on applications for admission to the MAT program shall be based upon a careful consideration of the applicant’s total record including GPA, Examination Scores, Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, EDA and a Completed Application.  For acceptance into the Master of Arts in Teaching Program, candidates must meet the following requirements:  

Prior to enrollment in the program:

• Complete the Application for Admission , and submit the application fee
• Content area courses must have a grade of “C” or better, an overall GPA of 2.75 and a 2.75 in the content area from a regionally accredited institution. All graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the MAT Program. 
• Successfully complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exams.
  • Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Combined Computer Delivered Test Code - 5752
  • Reading (Individual Exam):  Minimum score needed: 156      Computer Delivered Test Code – 5713
  • Writing (Individual Exam):    Minimum score needed: 162      Computer Delivered Test Code – 5723
  • Math (Individual Exam):       Minimum score needed: 150      Computer Delivered Test Code – 5733
  ​A student may obtain a waiver for the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exams by providing an official letter from the Registrar’s Office if one or more of the following criteria have been met. These waivers are accepted only in the state of WV.
  • attained, from a single administration, a qualifying score on the American College Test (ACT®) or Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT®) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) as listed below:
    • A composite ACT test score of 26 or higher
    • A combined score of 1170 on re-centered SAT Verbal & Math (exams taken 3/2005-4/2016)
    • A score of 1240 on revised SAT combined Critical Reading & Math (exams taken 5/2016-present)
    • A  GRE combined score of 800 verbal and quantitative (prior to 11/2011), or at least a score of 286 (12/2011 – the present)
  • hold a valid out-of-state certificate in the content area
  • hold certification through the NBPTS
  • hold or have held a West Virginia Professional Certificate
  • hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• Passing scores on PRAXIS II: Subject Assessment Test(s) as specified in Policy 5100. Individuals who have completed a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education are also exempt from PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators test according to WV Policy 5100 (§126-114-6 – 6.2.30).
• Provide 2 letters recommending admission into the program. At least one letter must be from a professional that is knowledgeable of your content background;
• Completion of an Educator Disposition Assessment (EDA) by an MAT Program faculty member during the first semester of coursework in EDUC505.

Prior to Student Teaching:

• Successful completion of all coursework with at least a “C” or better in all courses and a 3.0 overall GPA.
• Provide official scores of the PRAXIS II PLT: Principles of Learning and Teaching.

*  "Grit Scale" Duckworth, A.L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M.D., & Kelly, D.R. (2007).  Grit:  Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 9, 1087-1101.

A candidate may apply to the advanced program and take nine (9) credit-hours of courses before full admission requirements to the program must be met. Permission from the Director of Graduate Studies and/or the Graduate Council must also be obtained to be conditionally enrolled in nine hours of graduate courses; additionally, at least 50% or more of content area coursework must be completed to be conditionally admitted.

Application and fee, and original transcripts are necessary for conditional acceptance. However, all requirements must be met before candidates will be fully admitted to the MAT program. Failure to complete all admission requirements after nine (9) hours of coursework may result in administrative withdrawal from the courses or credit may not be applied toward graduation in the degree program.
 

Graduate candidates must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better throughout the program. Any candidate with a GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. In order to graduate from the MAT Program an overall 3.0 GPA is required. Candidates who are placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters will be removed from the graduate program due to academic deficiency. In addition, candidates must earn the minimum grade of “C” to successfully complete a course.

For additional information regarding available course sections, CRN numbers and syllabi, please refer to the appropriate semester in the Courses Offered Listing and/or Academic Catalog.

Professional Education Core

• EDUC 510 Models of Curriculum and Instruction (3hrs)
• EDUC 520 Educational Research (3hrs).
• EDUC 530 Integrating Technology in the Teaching/Learning Process (3hrs)
• EDUC 540 Assessment & Evaluation in Education (3hrs)

Curriculum and Instruction/Pedagogy

• EDUC 505 Advanced Teaching and Learning (3hrs) (Clinical 25 hrs. Field Experience)
• EDUC 516 Integrated Methods in Secondary Education (3hrs) (Clinical 25 hrs. Field Experience)
• EDUC 517 Integrated Methods in Elementary Education** (3hrs) (Clinical 25 hrs Field Experience)
• EDUC 555 Classroom Management (3hrs) (Clinical 25 hrs. Field Experience)
• RDNG 520 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3hrs) 
• SPED 503: Legal and Historical Foundations of Special Education (3hrs) (Clinical 25 hrs. Field Experience)
• SPED 509 Strategies for the Inclusive Environment (3hrs) (Clinical 25 hrs. Field Experience)

Student Teaching Internship

• EDUC 556 Supervised/Directed Teaching (6 hrs) (full time 16 week placement)

** NOTE: This course is for PreK-Adult Certification Areas ONLY! Candidates obtaining a PreK-Adult licensure, such as Music, Art, and Physical Education, are also required to take EDUC 517 Integrated Methods in Elementary Education to comply with WV Policy 5100. Additionally, clinical experiences will be conducted in age/grade/content appropriate classrooms as required by WV Policy 5202 and the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards (WVPTS).

Student Teaching Internship

Student teaching (Supervised Directed Teaching)  is a 16-week, intensive (full-day), professional experience arranged and coordinated by the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences in the Department of Education at Concord University. Student teaching is a full time professional experience.Teacher candidates should not enroll in extra coursework, or engage in extra-curricular activities which interfere with student teaching. Exceptions to this must be approved by the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences. Candidates complete student teaching assignments in PreK-Adult public school(s) located in counties in proximity to the University, as well as required seminars offered at the University.

Candidates apply for admission to student teaching by the end of the fourth week of the semester preceding the semester in which student teaching is planned, as well as submit a Student Teaching Placement Request Form. Candidates will be notified by letter of their eligibility. Additionally, all candidates must attend a mandatory placement meeting held the semester prior to student teaching. Placement meetings are held on the last Wednesday in September and the last Wednesday in February. All teacher education candidates are required to purchase LiveText Field Experience Module in order to successfully complete all evaluations, assessments and time-logs associated with Student Teaching.

*Note: Candidates not meeting application deadlines, and/or admission criteria will be denied student teaching and may reapply the following semester.  Candidates may appeal this decision through the Director of Teacher Education.

Early Clinical Experiences

Early Clinical Experiences are included in most MAT Program courses. Early Clinical Experiences vary in the number of hours required, academic levels and assessments that must be completed. Please refer to the MAT Early Clinical Experience Request Form for detailed information. 

Students must submit early clinical experience forms at the beginning of each semester in order to be assigned a field placement. Students must also complete all required hours and assessments by the end of each semester. Each student will be assigned a mentor which will serve as a guide throughout their early field experience. All MAT candidates are required to purchase LiveText Field Experience Module in order to successfully complete all evaluations, assessments and time-logs associated with their Early Field Experience.

* Note: Observation hours for one course cannot be used to satisfy hours for another course. Course Descriptions, number of hours and early clinical experience description subject to change

Graduate candidates must apply for graduation by downloading and submitting a Graduation Application. A graduation fee of $50 must be paid to the business office, and the graduation gown is to be ordered at the Concord University bookstore. Once the business office and bookstore have signed the application for graduation, it is to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. A graduation audit will then be completed to ensure that all requirements for graduation have been met. Graduation requirements include completion of the 36-39 hour program with a 3.0 GPA within five years.