M.A.T. in Middle Grades Education Program
The M.A.T. in Middle Grades Education addresses the North Carolina initial Professional Teaching Standards, Masters/Advanced Competencies which include standards in Instructional Expertise, Knowledge of Learners, Research Expertise, Connecting Subject Matter and Learners, and Professional Development and Leadership. In addition, the program addresses the National Middle School Association’s Standards for Master’s Level Teacher Preparation. The graduate program incorporates the conceptual framework which is common to all teacher education programs at UNCW: The Watson College of Education develops highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.
In order to better address candidates’ needs, the program is divided into two phases:
- Phase I – Leads to the Standard Professional I (“A”) license (22 hours). This phase includes courses necessary to meet initial licensure standards. A semester long internship (9 hours) culminates phase I.
- Phase II – Leads to the Master of Arts in Teaching (minimum 15 hours). The courses in this phase focus on advanced professional understandings, content specialty areas, and adding a focus area (e.g., ESL, ITS, AIG, international, or other approved area). The focus strands offer candidates the opportunity for additional professional development in a high need area.
Program Objectives
Upon completion, candidates for the M.A.T. in Middle Grades Education (grades 6-9), should be able to:
- Understand and analyze the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to young adolescent development, and apply that knowledge in practice.
- Understand the range of individual differences of all young adolescents and adapt instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of individuals, including students with special needs and from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Understand and analyze the major concepts, principles, theories, and research underlying the philosophical foundations and organizational components of highly effective middle level schools.
- Understand effective middle level instruction and assessment and apply a variety of strategies to meet the varying abilities, interests, and learning styles of young adolescents.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the major concepts, principles, theories, standards, and research related to his/her teaching field(s) and apply that knowledge in practice.
- Understand and analyze the major concepts, principles, theories and research related to working collaboratively with family and community members.
- Use technology to enhance teaching and support learner outcomes.
- Engage in reflective inquiry leading to professional development and positive results for student learning.
Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Grades Education program sheet >
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