Teaching
Overview
Program of Study
Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Teachers guide human as well as academic development as they help students in multidimensional families live cooperatively in multicultural communities, develop constructive moral values, and learn to work independently as well as collaboratively in groups. Teachers model sensitivity to the needs of all children and youth whose diverse backgrounds, learning styles and talents enrich schools and classrooms.
At the same time, teachers engage students actively in the basic tasks of education:
- understanding the dimensions and using the skills of language and literature, mathematics, the natural sciences and the social sciences
- thinking critically, analyzing and solving problems, drawing conclusions based on evidence, extending levels of thinking, developing concepts, making meaning of information studied and experienced
- using tools of technology efficiently and wisely
- developing the ability to reflect upon and evaluate what they have learned
Preparation of teachers to meet these challenges requires a combination of elements. A strong academic content background in the specific content area and in the liberal arts of appropriate breadth and depth is needed, together with research-based professional study of the following subjects: child and adolescent development, addressing the needs of diverse students (e.g., struggling readers, English language learners, those with special needs, gifted and talented), theories of behavior and learning styles, effective models of teaching, understanding of Maryland Common Core and national SPA standards, methods of organizing and planning, strategies for managing disruptive behaviors, techniques for formative and summative assessment of student learning, analyzing and using student data to inform instructional practice, and the outcomes of instruction.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Notre Dame of Maryland University is designed to provide this comprehensive preparation. The program requires strong liberal arts preparation as evidenced in prior graduate and/or undergraduate study, professional course work on the Notre Dame campus integrating research-based theory and practical application, and an extended internship, when possible, in a high performing, high needs professional development school under the tutelage of a university-selected mentor-teacher who has demonstrated the ability to impact student achievement.
Instructors in the program are faculty from Notre Dame and successful, experienced school personnel from area schools and school systems.
MAT Certification programs are offered in:
- Secondary education; e.g., mathematics, English, biology, chemistry, social studies, art, word languages, etc.
- Elementary education
Early childhood and special education courses are offered, which make it possible to earn dual certification when such courses are taken in conjunction with the program of study leading to classroom certification at elementary or secondary level, whichever is appropriate.
All programs meet the teacher education standards set forth in the Maryland Essential Dimensions of Teaching and are fully approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Program of Study
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) students pursue the program on a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time MAT students typically register for nine credits each term over a period which spans two summer sessions and the intervening academic year. However, many full-time students take advantage of the Graduate Education Intern program which is a ten-month accelerated opportunity for students to intern for two semesters in the morning while completing all course requirements in the afternoon/evening. Part-time students take one or two courses a term and commit to the internship the second year; they will usually complete the program in two years.
At entrance, the student's liberal arts preparation will be thoroughly evaluated. A candidate whose record is lacking in breadth or depth in specific liberal arts areas will be required to take additional courses which must be completed to meet degree requirements. The candidate will also submit an essay which will critiqued for writing skills and will engage in a formal interview to be assessed on oral communication skills and the candidate’s potential effectiveness, ability to persevere and suitability for the classroom. The candidate and his/her advisor (the director of post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs or program coordinator at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center) prepare and sign a program of study designed to meet certification requirements.
Upon successful completion of the methods courses, each student will be further evaluated to determine eligibility for the internship. Each student is expected to demonstrate aptitude for teaching and development of appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills. The student must be recommended by the methods instructors and field experience personnel who may seek other appropriate information.
The following degree requirements pertain to all MAT candidates: 1) completion of all courses with an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher; 2) attainment of a grade of B or better in all methods courses (indicated by an asterisk [*] in the curriculum section; 3) passing score on the Praxis II content test specified for the expected area of certification submitted prior to undertaking the internship; 4) passing score on the Praxis II pedagogy test specified for the expected area of certification, usually taken after completion of methods courses and by the end of the full time phase of the internship; 5) attainment of a grade of B or better in the internship course required for certification; 6) completion of an e-portfolio to demonstrate competency in teaching. Each student must complete at least 36 graduate credits. Up to six credits of relevant graduate course work at the B level may be transferred from other accredited institutions, with the approval of the dean of the School of Education.
This program is available at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC) as well as on the Baltimore Campus. Selected courses from the program are also offered at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) when enrollment warrants.
Curriculum
Common Core
EDU-519 Human Development and Learning (3)
EDU-556 Technology for Instruction and Management (3)
EDU-604 Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar (3)
SPE-526 Special Education for the Classroom Teacher (3)
One of the following assessment courses chosen in accord with the MAT coordinator or program coordinator at SMHEC
EDU-511 Assessment of Reading (For certification in elementary education) (3)
EDU-544 Educational Assessment (For certification in secondary or N-12 discipline specific fields) (3)
Secondary Education
EDU-520 Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Schools (3)
EDU-551 Reading and Writing in the Secondary School Content Areas II (3)
EDU-580 Reading and Writing in the Secondary School Content Areas I (3)
One of the following courses chosen in accord with the MAT coordinator or program coordinator at SMHEC
EDU-523 Education in American Society (3)
EDU-564 Contemporary Educational Issues (3)
EDU-675 Democracy and Education: Philosophical Perspectives (3)
Methods of Teaching in the Secondary School—one selected from the following
EDU-530 Art, N-12 (3)*
EDU-531 English (3)*
EDU-532 Foreign Language (3)*
EDU-533 Mathematics (3)*
EDU-537 Science (3)*
EDU-539 Social Studies (3)*
Student Teaching—select one from the following
EDU-601 Internship: Student Teaching in Secondary School (6) Or
EDU-605 Internship: Student Teaching in Art, N-12 (6)
Elementary Education
EDU-509 Processes and Acquisition of Reading (3)
EDU-510 Elementary Reading Materials (3)
EDU-513 Science and Social Studies in the Elementary School (3)*
EDU-542 Instruction in Reading (3)*
EDU-592 Mathematics in the Elementary School (3)*
EDU-602 Internship: Student Teaching in the Elementary School (6)
Early Childhood with Elementary Education
EDU-515 Curriculum and Methods in Early Childhood Education (3)*
EDU-603 Internship: Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education (3) Taken concurrently with EDU-602
*Indicates a methods course; students must earn a grade of B or higher.
Special Education with Elementary or Secondary Education
SPE-544 Assessment of Special Needs Populations I (3)
SPE-546 Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs (3)
SPE-570 Individualizing the Curriculum: Strategies for Holistic Intervention (3) Or
SPE-571 Vocational Skills in Special Education Methods (3)
SPE-576 Communication Skills for the School-Based Professional (3)
SPE-601 Internship: Student Teaching in Special Education (3)
Taken concurrently with EDU-601 or 602