May 09, 2024

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Teaching M.A.T. (With a focus on teaching special populations)

(Major Code: 5451)

Major in Teaching (M.A.T.)

(Major Code: 5451)

The Master of Arts in Teaching has two paths available:

Path I (WTAMU PACE Alternative Educator Certification) allows individuals to receive initial Texas teacher certification while pursuing a graduate degree. This path will permit candidates to complete initial teacher certification, expand their knowledge and skills to enhance their effectiveness as teachers, and meet state certification requirements in a specified certification area. Options are available in elementary, secondary, all level, and special education.

Path II (Non-Certification) is for educators who are already certified, or for individuals who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree without educator certification. This path allows candidates to obtain a graduate degree without earning a Texas teacher certification. Note: To teach in a Texas public school, a person must hold a valid Texas Educator Certificate.

The two paths for this graduate degree allow individuals the ability to tailor a program to meet their personal career goals by offering either a certification route or non-cerification route with an emphasis on understanding the unique needs of special populations.

Please refer to Texas Education Agency (TEA) specific requirements for becoming a teacher in the state of Texas. To teach in a Texas public school, a person must hold a valid Texas Educator Certificate, as specified in 19 TAC Chapter 231. Certification requirements are subject to change per TEA/SBEC decisions. WTAMU’s Office of Teacher Preparation

Admission Requirements

Path I (WTAMU PACE Alternative Educator Certification)

Admission to the WTAMU alternative certification program, www.wtamu.edu/pace, and
Admission to the graduate school, www.wtamu.edu/admissions/apply_graduate.aspx

Path II (Non-Certification)

Admission to the graduate school, www.wtamu.edu/admissions/apply_graduate

Graduation Requirements

Path I - WTAMU PACE Alternative Educator Certification

Completion of professional development/certification coursework, required testing, and supervised clinical experience for the initial Standard Texas Educator (Classroom Teacher) certificate
Issuance of a 5-Year Standard Texas Educator Certificate prior to administration of the comprehensive exam

Path II - Non-Certification

Completion of all required coursework as outlined in the plan of study
Passing a written comprehensive exam

MAT Coursework (30 hours or 36 hours with the graduate clinical teaching option for Path I)

A total of 30 semester credit hours (SCH) - at least 24 hours at the graduate level is required. An additional six SCH will be required if the candidate chooses the graduate clinical teaching option.

PATH I - WTAMU PACE Alternative Educator Certification (30-36 hours)

Complete 18 SCH from one of the three professional development/certification areas

1. EC-6 or 4-8 Certification Area (18 SCH)

Required Professional Development Certification Coursework

Take the following:

Take one course from the following:

Note:

For all certification areas, credit for EDPD 5350 and/or EDPD 6307 will only be awarded for WTAMU PACE module 1.

2. 6-12, 7-12, and EC-12 Certification Areas (18 SCH)

Required Professional Development Certification Coursework

Take the following:

Take one course from the following:

Note:

For all certification areas, credit for EDPD 5350 and/or EDPD 6307 will only be awarded for WTAMU PACE modules.

3. EC-12 Special Education Certification Area (18 SCH)

Required Professional Development Certification Coursework

Choose six courses, with adviser approval, from the following:

EDPD 5350 - Management and Organization for Instructional Settings 3 (compentency-based credit may be awarded for completion of WTAMU PACE Module 1; transcription must be approved by both the PACE and MAT advisers)
EDPD 6307 - Applying Cognitive Science to Learning and Teaching 3 (competency-based credit may be awarded for completion of WTAMU PACE Module 1; transcription must be approved by both the PACE and MAT advisers)
EDSP 6352 - Instructional Programming for Students: Low Incidence Disabilities 3
EDSP 6354 - Instructional Programming for Students: High Incidence Disabilities 3
EDSP 6356 - Consultation and Collaboration, Exceptional Children 3
EDSP 6359 - Management of Classroom Behaviors-Exceptional Learners 3
EDRD 5386 - Secondary Reading in the Content Area 3
EDSP 6345 - Science of Teaching Reading 3

Note:

For all certification areas, credit for EDPD 5350 and/or EDPD 6307 will only be awarded for successful completion of WTAMU PACE Module 1.

Required Courses for All Certification Areas (12 SCH)

Choose one of the following:

Graduate Clinical Teaching Courses for Candidates Who Choose This Option

EDPD 6398 - Graduate Clinical Teaching I 3
EDPD 6399 - Graduate Clinical Teaching II 3
(These additional six SCH make the MAT degree plan 36 hours for those who choose this option.)

GPA Requirement

The candidate must maintain a 3.0 GPA (with no grade below a “C”) on all MAT coursework, and the program must be completed within six (6) years of taking the first graduate course that applies to the MAT degree.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Alternative Certification, (806)651-2599, or access the website, www.wtamu.edu/pace.

PATH II - Non-Certification Route - M.A.T. Without Texas Teacher Certification (30 hours)

Complete 9 SCH from the Professional Development/Certification Area

Required Professional Development Certification Coursework

Choose 9 hours from the following:

Required Course (3 SCH)

EDPD 6303 - Education Research 3

Required Special Populations Emphasis Area (12 SCH)

Choose one of the following:

Electives (6 SCH)

Six SCH from inside or outside the Department of Education (must be approved by adviser)

GPA Requirement

The candidate must maintain a 3.0 GPA (with no grade below a “C”) on all MAT course work, and the program must be completed within six (6) years of taking the first graduate course that applies to the MAT degree.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Alternative Certification, (806) 651-2599, or access the website, www.wtamu.edu/pace.