MAT in Elementary Education
The Master of Arts in Teaching Program in Elementary Education is a 36-credit program designed for individuals who are deeply committed to constructing developmentally appropriate practices for children in an elementary school setting. Students applying to this program seek to develop as a teaching professional in kindergarten through grade 5. This graduate program will lead to a master's degree as well as an initial certification to teach K-5. Applicants to this program must hold a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts field (minimum of 60 credits of liberal arts), complete an admissions application, meet the admission requirements and submit their score on the PRAXIS II Elementary Content Knowledge (test code 5031). Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children.
Montclair State University’s Teacher Education Program is one of the most highly-regarded teacher preparation programs in the country. It has been consistently recognized both nationally and regionally for its unique features, including its structure, partnerships, and curricular emphases. The program is considered a model for other colleges and universities and has continuously been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954.
The Teacher Education Program’s professional course sequence and field experiences emphasize teaching for critical thinking and culturally responsive teaching. The professional component for both graduate students addresses four broad areas: 1) student development and learning, 2) the classroom and the school, 3) the curriculum, and 4) effective teaching skills.
Admission Information:
All candidates must meet application and admission requirements as defined by The Graduate School.
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Graduate Initial Teaching Certification Brochure View Program Brochure - Graduate Initial Teaching Certification |
Course Requirements:
The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2009. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.
| Prerequisite Courses | ||||
| Number | Name | Hours | ||
| * FCST 512 | Child Development I - Theories of Child Development or equivalent | 3 | ||
| SPCM 101 | Fundamental Speech Communication or By Examination | 3 | ||
| Physiology & Hygiene (State certification requirement; approved course or exam administered by the Center of Pedagogy) Completion and passing score on PRAXIS II Elementary Content Knowledge (test code 014) |
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| Core Courses | 15 | |||
| Number | Name | Hours | ||
| ECEL 501 | Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society | 3 | ||
| ECEL 518 | Families, Communities, and Schools: Diversity, Culture and Democracy | 3 | ||
| OR | ||||
| ECSE 508 | Strengthening Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities | 3 | ||
| ELRS 503 | Methods of Research | 3 | ||
| READ 500 | The Nature of Reading | 3 | ||
| Literacy Course(s): Select one of the following: | ||||
| READ 503 | Literature for Adolescents | 3 | ||
| READ 507 | Understanding Reading Comprehension | 3 | ||
| READ 519 | Language and Early Literacy Development | 3 | ||
| READ 522 | History of Literacy and Media | 3 | ||
| READ 524 | Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms | 3 | ||
| READ 525 | Literacies, Digital Technology and Learning | 3 | ||
| READ 600 | Workshop in Contemporary Issues in Reading | 3 | ||
| Content/Methods Courses | 9 | |||
| Number | Name | Hours | ||
| ECEL 516 | Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms | 3 | ||
| ECEL 517 | Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | 3 | ||
| MATH 577 | Mathematics Education in the Elementary School | 3 | ||
| Professional Sequence Courses | 12 | |||
| Semester Before Student Teaching | ||||
| Students must apply to the Center of Pedagogy for a Clinical placement the semester prior to their Clinical experience. Due dates are 3/1 for September placement and 10/1 for January. These deadlines are strictly adhered to by the Center of Pedagogy. | ||||
| Number | Name | Hours | ||
| ECEL 522 | Curriculum Development and Assessment in Diverse Elementary Classrooms | 3 | ||
| ECEL 510 | Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings | 2 | ||
| ECEL 502 | Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | 1 | ||
| Student Teaching Semester | ||||
| Number | Name | Hours | ||
| ECEL 511 | Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings | 5 | ||
| OR | ||||
| ECEL 514 | In-service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching | 5 | ||
| (ECEL 514 replaces ECEL 511 for those already in full-time teaching positions) | ||||
| ECEL 504 | Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | 1 | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | 0 | |||
| PROGRAM TOTAL: 36 credits | ||||
| * Students who wish to add a Middle School content specialist endorsement to teach grades 5 - 8 in a content area should also complete Child Development II: Adolescent. This is a state requirement. | ||||
Additional Student Responsibilities:
- Passing score on PRAXIS II - Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (5031)
- Students are responsible for seeking advisement from their academic advisor for registration and completion of degree requirements.
- Students are responsible for completing the Physiology and Hygiene requirement and Speech requirement for state certification.
- If a K-5 Teaching candidate intends to seek a Middle School Content Area Specialist endorsement in addition to the standard K-5 Certification, she or he must also complete Child Development II, as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.
- All MAT students must register to take the Comprehensive Exam during the Clinical I semester. The exam is administered once in the spring and fall semesters. Registration for the fall exam is due October 1 and February 15 for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
- It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with all policies designated in the Graduate Catalog and the current Center of Pedagogy Teacher Education Handbook.
- Students are required to apply to the Center of Pedagogy for Clinical I placement the semester before placement begins. The deadline is March 1 for Fall placements and October 1 for Spring placement.
- In order to complete the program, students must file the proper audit forms in the Registrar's Office October1st for May graduation, March 1 for August graduation, and June 1 for January graduation.
- Any variation from this work program must be approved by The Graduate School through the proper filing of a substitution form.