Join us and become a classroom teacher in the K-6 elementary schools with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education/Literacy, a cutting-edge program that prepares you to teach in K-6 diverse settings by providing both in-depth courses and collaborative clinical experience. This new and creative program will also award you 15 credits in contemporary research and literacy applications.  To foster relationships and collaboration, the program emphasizes onsite coursework to engage in peer-with-peer and student-with-faculty dialog and discussion. As a result, you will be ready to enter the dynamic elementary k-6 teaching profession with literacy expertise as well as the personal and professional confidence to contribute in any diverse/high tech district.

The M.A.T. Elementary Education/Literacy Focus program is designed with the practicing professional in mind. Courses typically begin at or after 4:00 p.m. and include the option to complete the program on a full or part-time basis.  You will become a confident professional as you take advanced coursework on current theory and research in elementary education with a focus on reading and literacy.  This program meets the new State Board of Education policy, which reads: Applicants for a professional educator certificate who are first certified in Connecticut after July 1, 2016, shall complete 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

• Understanding of current trends and issues in elementary education
• Understanding of all K-6 subject areas with a focus on literacy
• Opportunity to collaborate with university professors and practitioners to coalesce understanding of course content
• Complete and collaborate in a clinically based program that makes connections between current research and its ultimate use to promote learning for all in the school and community.

Acceptance requirements

• Admission application and nonrefundable $50 admission fee.
• apply.usj.edu/apply
• A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67 
• Two official transcripts of all undergraduate work and any prior graduate work
• Two letters of recommendation accompanied by the Letter of Recommendation Cover sheet www.usj.edu/gradforms. Note: Recommendations must be obtained from individuals who are not family members, personal friends or members of the USJ Department of Education.

• An individualized planned program of study developed by the candidate and the faculty advisor, approved by the chair of the Department of Education.
• A letter of intent

Continuation requirements

Candidates must earn a grade of B or better in the first two classes (first attempt) to remain in the program. Candidates must earn a B or better in all courses for continuous progression through 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.