Secondary Education, M.A.T.

Also see

Instructional Technology, M.A.   Curriculum and Instruction, M.A.

Students have two pathways to become licensed secondary teachers in a content area:

• Traditional - Grades 7-12 by subject 
  Students set their own pace in this 39-credit program
• Accelerated - REACH to Teach (36 credits) by subject area, completed in 16 months
  Students in this accelerated program are in a cohort, take one less course and receive a 9-credit tuition waiver. Admission requirements are higher.

Both pathways prepare students to become licensed secondary teachers in content areas such as Biology, Chemistry, English, History and Social Studies, Math and Spanish. They meet the new State Board of Education policy, which requires a minimum of 15 graduate credits of content or content pedagogy, either as part of or in addition to a master’s degree. 

Program outcomes

The student will:

• Be a critical thinker and effective-problem-solver who is concerned with the social, emotional and intellectual issues of all children and adolescents in contemporary educational settings

• Apply advanced pedagogy in curriculum, instruction and assessment to engage all students in reaching their potential as people and as learners
• Develop the capacity to influence and advance positive change for students, professionals and the profession in a complex global society

Requirements

1. Graduate admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
2. Conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67. For REACH to Teach, applicants need a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and one of the following:
   - Passing scores on the Praxis Core
   - SAT scores of 1100 or higher (with a minimum score of 450 for verbal and math)
   - ACT minimum scores of 22 for verbal, 19 for math
4. Academic undergraduate major or equivalent major of at least 30 credits in English, History, Math, General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Family and Consumer Science or World Language; or 39 credits of interdisciplinary courses as evaluated by the University of Saint Joseph licensure officer; or a minimum of 18 undergraduate credits in one area of licensure with the remaining undergraduate credits in other related area of licensure taken before acceptance to the School of Education. 
5. Two sealed official transcripts of all undergraduate work and any prior graduate work
6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective teacher or to work with children and families, accompanied by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies cover form. Note: Recommendations must be obtained from individuals who are not family members, personal friends or members of the USJ School of Education.
7. Immunization record using the USJ Health Service form available on the University website
8. Meeting with the licensure officer once transcripts are received. Call 860.231.5335 to make an appointment.
9. An essay to assess written communication skills in English and suitability for the program. The essay should be no longer than three pages, typed, doubled-spaced.
10. A professional interview with a faculty member of the School of Education 
11. A planned program of study developed by the candidate and the faculty advisor, approved by the chair of the Department of Education

Continuation requirements

Students must earn a grade of B or better in their first attempt in their first two classes to remain in the program. They must earn a B or better in all courses for continuous progression throughout the program.

Exit requirements

Eligible candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree must complete the edTPA portfolio during their student teaching placement. the edTPA portfolio is a requirement for licensure that was announced by the State of Connecticut in 2017-18. Candidates seeking licensure beginning in the 2018-19 academic year must complete this assessment. Beginning in academic year 2019-20, candidates must pass this assessment to be eligible for licensure. The program is facilitated by Pearson Publishing and is scored by national scorers. The cost to candidates is $300.00.