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  • Master of Arts in Teaching: Emphasis in Elementary Education
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Program Details

Total Credit Hours

36 credit hours

The 36-credit hour MAT program includes practitioner-focused curriculum blended with field-based experiences and Student Teaching. *The Licensure Office may require prerequisite courses for candidate’s from a non-education baccalaureate program.

For initial license candidates, the program is 36 semester hours including the student teaching semester and seminar or one year of a job embedded clinical experience. 

Program Length

15-18 months

You may begin course work in either the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. Coursework and student teaching may be completed in as few as 5 semesters. Students attend X semesters (Fall, Spring and Summer) split into two eight-week terms (A term and B term). This gives you six options in which to start the program. Students typically take one or two courses per term, depending on whether they want to graduate in one or two years.

Traditional Student Teaching is completed in one semester with MAT 5286 and MAT 5287 as co-requisites.

Job Embedded Clinical Experience is completed in two semesters with MAT 5285 (first semester of employment) and MAT 5287 (second semester of employment).

Mode

Hybrid: Online and on-ground 

Hybrid learning blends online coursework and on-campus evening and weekend classes.

Required Core Courses

  • MAT 5014 Education for the Developing Learner

    This course presents a comprehensive study of child growth and development from conception to age nine emphasizing the development of language, cognitive, motor, emotional and social skills. Socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic issues and their impact on early childhood development will be explored. Authentic assessment strategies for mapping development will be presented. Typical and atypical development will be identified. 

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Fall

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5070 Advanced Classroom Management

    Application of the research and skills necessary to create and maintain environments in which teaching and learning can occur. Includes pertinent research and simulated activities for the purpose of learning to work through specific problems/situations. 

    This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Every semester in the “B” term

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5080 Diverse Populations

    A study of current research on the unique characteristics of various student populations in the educational systems and innovative programs to address diverse needs within school and community settings. 

    This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Every semester in the “A” term

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5180 Education: The Profession and the Professional

    A study of Education as a profession from its beginnings in America to the present. This course will also focus on the professional educator in today’s educational workplace.

    This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Every semester in the “B” term

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5222 Education: The Profession and the Professional

    This course is designed to help teachers teach math, science, and social studies more effectively. The purpose is achieved through a wide range of teaching material on the subject, interaction with a colleague, preparation of lesson plans and practical hands-on experience in the classroom. Students learn about and develop plans, methods, and materials for teaching in a specific area of education. Experience in math, science, and social studies. Field experience required.

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Fall and Spring

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5400 Advanced Assessment

    This course covers educational assessment that improves the student and the school. A variety of assessment theories, models, and practices are presented. Applications of current data assessment methods are evaluated. This course will examine the key concepts, their applications in both Tennessee and nationally, and provide tools to improve assessment as a teacher or instructional leader within the school. 

    This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Every semester in the “A” term

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5540 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas

    This course will engage the candidates in the identification and development of effective instructional strategies used to teach all academic content areas. 

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: As needed

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MEd 5396/ MAT 5396 Evaluation and Remediation of Mathematics

    This course examines objectives, materials, instructional best practice, and assessment of mathematics across grade levels. Issues of content, pedagogy, and remediation are explored in this course. 

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Offered: Spring

    Notes: Book Requirement

Choose MAT 5285 or MAT 5286 & MAT 5287 to complete your degree requirement:

  • MAT 5285 Practicum

    A supervised teaching experience to provide mentoring for education students teaching on a Transitional license. 

    This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3-9

    Prerequisite: Permission of dean/director

    Offered: Every Semester

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5286

    A supervised teaching experience with a duration of 15 weeks in a full-day classroom teaching situation in two different schools and grade levels. Grading will be on a Pass/Fail basis. Seminar experiences and portfolio review included. 

    Fee: $300.00

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of required content area Praxis II Exam

    Offered: Fall & Spring

    Notes: Book Requirement

  • MAT 5287 Teaching Seminar

    A supervised teaching experience with a duration of 15 weeks in a full-day classroom teaching situation in two different schools and grade levels. Grading will be on a Pass/Fail basis. Seminar experiences and portfolio review included. 

    Fee: $30.00

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of required content area Praxis II Exam

    Offered: Fall & Spring

    Notes: Book Requirement

Licensure

Candidates for a Tennessee teaching license must pass state-required exams to be qualified for a license. Exam requirements periodically change. Candidates must consult the Tennessee Department of Education and Educational Testing Service websites for a list of current licensure exams. Teacher licensure candidates are responsible for taking and passing the correct licensure examinations at specific times in their program of study as is detailed in the online Teacher Education Handbook.

Program Faculty

Sandy Smith, Program Director

Karen Hobson, Licensure Officer

Start your CU journey today. Take the first step.

Apply Now

Get In Touch

615-444-2562

800-467-0562

615-444-2569 (fax)

1 Cumberland Square

Lebanon, TN 37087-3408

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