Webster’s MAT in secondary school degree program provides a strong foundation in content knowledge, adolescent development, and contemporary research supporting best practices. This degree emphasizes the principles and practices of inquiry based learning, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive teaching.
This graduate degree program is designed to lead to initial Missouri Teacher Certification in Secondary School Education. Please note that certifications for Art, French, German, Music (Instrumental and Choral) and Spanish are for k-12.
- Art (K-12)
- English (9-12)
- French (9-12)
- German (9-12)
- Journalism (9-12)
- Mathematics (9-12)
- Music (Instrumental and Vocal k-12)
- Social Studies (9-12)
- Spanish (9-12)
- Unified Science: Biology (9-12)
This graduate degree program is designed to provide the foundation for teacher preparation leading to initial Missouri teacher certification in Secondary School Education.
The goals of the MAT in secondary school are to cultivate graduates who are:
1. Knowledgeable Learners
Candidates in the Secondary School MAT will:
a. understand, demonstrate, and apply in-depth knowledge of their chosen discipline(s).
b. embrace the synergy of collaborative learning.
c. understand how to guide students through a period of significant developmental change as emerging adults.
2. Informed Instructors
Candidates in the Secondary School MAT will:
a. develop curriculum and assessments based on the best educational theory, practice, research, national, state, and content standards.
b. motivate students to learn by implementing instruction based on the developmental needs of adolescents.
c. apply the best academic, social, and technological tools to address the needs of the 21st century learner.
3. Reflective Collaborators
Candidates in the Secondary School MAT will:
a. demonstrate collaborative skills in working with colleagues, students, and families in schools and comunities to support student learning.
4. Responsive Educators
Candidates in the Secondary School MAT will:
a. recognize, appreciate, and respond to the needs of diverse learners based on theory and research of developmental sciences.
b. create a positive, productive learning community that responds to the needs of individual learners.
c. celebrate and integrate the talents and cultures of each student.
Polices & Procedures
The student should consult the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog for Webster University policies regarding course attendance; conduct; grades; academic warning, probation, and dismissal; transcripts; and diploma. Procedures for registration and drop, add, and withdrawal from a course are outlined in the Enrollment section of this catalog.
Requirements for Missouri Initial Teacher Certification in Secondary Education
Students must contact the Teacher Certification Officer in the School of Education for a transcript evaluation and information regarding teacher certification. Successful completion of a teacher work sample (TWS) is required prior to a recommendation for an initial teacher certification from the university to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
To achieve Missouri state certification in Secondary School Education, students are required to take more than 33 credit hours and should consult with the Teacher Certification Officer in the School of Education to complete a transcript evaluation. This is necessary to identify the exact number of credit hours that an MAT candidate will require to complete certification with the degree.
Students must pass the Praxis Exam before Apprentice Teaching.
Note: students are advised that the full initial certification in Secondary Education may require more hours than the listed hours required for the MAT degree.
The following courses are required for the MAT degree in Secondary Education
The following courses must be taken while in-residence at Webster University.
- CMAT 5000 Teaching in a Diverse Society 3 hours
- CMAT 5010 Curriculum Theory, Development, and Assessment 3 hours
- CMAT 5015 Differentiated Instruction & Assessment 3 hours
- EPSY 5170 Behavior Management 3 hours
- COMM 5920 Teaching Reading in the Content Field 3 hours
- COMM 5187 Secondary Techniques 3 hours
Clinical Experience
- CMAT 5094 Practicum: Secondary School 1-2 hours
- CMAT 5094 Section 30 Practicum Seminar 1 hour
- CMAT 5095 Apprentice Teaching: Secondary School, B- or better 9 hours
- CMAT 5096 Apprentice Teaching Seminar 1 hour
In each of the two curricular areas below, one course must be taken in residence and will count toward the degree.
Developmental Psychology
- SPED 5860 Psychology of the Exceptional Student 3 hours
- EPSY 5810 Advanced Adolescent Psychology 3 hours
- EPSY 5130 Educational Psychology 3 hours
Content Methods appropriate for chosen discipline area (3 hours)
- Art - Secondary Art Methods (ART 4930)
- English - Methods of Teaching Secondary English (EDUC 4110)
- Foreign Language - Foreign Language Methods (ILC 5180)
- Journalism - Methods of Teaching Secondary Publications/Journalism (JOUR 4250)
- Math - Methods of Teaching Secondary Math (MTHT 4460)
- Unified Science - Methods of Teaching Secondary Science (SCIN 4060)
- Social Studies - Methods of Teaching Secondary Social Studies (SOCS 5010)
- Music - Instrumental Music Methods (MUSC 4220) or
- Music - Choral Literature and Techniques (MUSC 4080)
Six (6) hours of content area coursework are required for the degree and must be taken at Webster University.
All of the above courses are required to complete the requirements for initial Missouri teacher certification in the Secondary Education program.
Additional Certification Requirements determined after transcript review:
- EDTC 5010 Classroom Technology
Students will choose one of the following content areas to complete their certification requirements (minimum GPA in content area = 3.0):
- Art – K-12 minimum 33 hours
- Art for the Elementary Grades (ART 3910)
- Design
- Drawing (COMM 5090)
- Painting (COMM 5100)
- Graphics (COMM 5400 Printmaking photography, serigraphy)
- Ceramics (COMM 5250)
- Sculpture (COMM 5560)
- Fibers (COMM 5559 Papermaking, weaving, macramé, fiber sculpture)
- History, Theory, Criticism in Visual Art (min. 3 credits)
-
Art Electives
- COMM 5552 Multicultural Traditions in Art
- COMM 5551 Watercolors
- COMM 5510 Artists are Alive and Well
English: 30 hours
-
12 hours Composition, Rhetoric, Grammar:
- English Comp I (COMM 5280)
- English Comp II
- Teaching Writing (COMM 5199)
- Additional Composition Requirement (COMM 5347 Poetry Writing)
-
5 hours Linguistics
- Historical Linguistics (COMM 5030)
- Contemporary Linguistics (COMM 5344)
-
5 hours American Literature (include ethnic unit)
- American Novel (COMM 5391)
- American Poetry (COMM 5392)
- American Short Story (COMM 5393)
-
5 hours English and/ or World Literature
- World Literature (COMM 5398)
- Poetry on the Planet (COMM 5399)
- Contemporary World Literature (COMM 5395)
- 3 hours English Methods
- 3 hours Young Adult Literature (COMM 5020)
Foreign Language (Spanish, French, German) – K-12
Thirty (30) semester hours in the Foreign Language to be taught, or twenty-seven (27) semester hours plus two (2) or more earned units of high school credit in that language.
Coursework should include the understanding and appreciation of the foreign culture and civilization.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in the areas of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing by obtaining a written release from the Department of International Languages & Culture.
Journalism: minimum 30 hours
- 3 hours News Writing & Reporting (JOUR 1030)
- 3 hours Editing (JOUR 2170)
- 3 hours Communications Law (MEDC 4100 or MEDC 5350)
- 3 hours Mass Communication Theory (MEDC 1010 or MEDC 5000)
- 3 hours Scholastic Publications (JOUR 5352)
-
6 hours from the following:
- Intro to Radio TV Journalism (BJRN 2410)
- Journalism: Layout and Design (JOUR 2300)
- Photojournalism (PHOT 2500)
-
9 credits from the following:
- International Photojournalism (PHOT 2870)
- History & Principles American Journalism or Media Literacy (MEDC 1630 or JOUR 2360)
- Advanced Reporting or Community Reporting or Feature Writing (JOUR 2140 or JOUR 3060 or JOUR 3130)
- Newspaper Production or Media Design (JOUR 3000 or MEDC 3350)
Math: minimum 30 hours
-
20 hours to include:
- Calculus & Analytic Geometry (min 8 hrs) (CALC I, II, III, IV, MTHC 5280)
- Algebraic Structures (MTHC 5360)
- Geometry (MTHC 5250, MTHC 5310)
- Computer Science (EDTC 5250, EDTC 5255 Python)
- Electives from above to equal 20 hrs
-
10 elective hours to include at least 3 of the following:
- Discrete Mathematics (MTHC 5230)
- Geometry for Teachers (MTHC 5310, MTHC 5250)
- Structure of the Real Number Sys (MTHC 5430)
- Number Theory (MTHC 5450)
- Completion of Calculus sequence (MTHC 5280)
- Probability & Statistics (MTHC 5330, MTHC 5390)
- Problem-Solving Strategies in Math (MTHC 5480)
- Logic (MTHC 5350)
- Linear Algebra (MTHC 5370)
Unified Science: Biology minimum 59 hours
- 3 hours History/Philosophy of Science & Technology (PHIL 2330)
- 8 hours Biology (to include Zoology & Botany w/labs)
- 8 hours Chemistry w/labs
- 8 hours Physics w/labs
- 8 hours Earth Science (Geology & Meteorology)
- 4 credits Environmental Science (SCIC 5080, EFGS 5000, EFGS 5260 [must be preapproved by faculty for relevance])
- 20 Additional hours in Biology to include: Zoology, Botany, Genetics, Cell/Biochemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Ecology, Evolution
Social Studies: minimum 40 Hours
- 12 hours American History (to include 18th, 19th, 20th Century) (SOCS 5270, SOCS 5750)
- 9 hours World/European History (SOCS 5030, SOCS 5040, SOCS 5280, SOCS 5430)
- 6 hours Political Science
- American /US Government (SOCS 5690 Am Govt)
- Political Science Elective (SOCS 5430, SOCS 5000 Constitutions, Courts, & Conflicts, SOCS 5690 Bill of Rights, SOCS 5790)
- 6 hours Behavioral/Social Sciences
- Sociology (SOCS 5000 Multiculturalism, SOCS 5000 Global Awareness)
- Anthropology/ Psychology
- 3 hours Economics (SOCS 5250, SOCS 5740)
- 3 hours Cultural/Regional Geography (SOCS 5260)
- Social Studies Electives to equal 40 hours
Vocal/Choral Music: (K-12) minimum 30 Hours
- Elementary School Music Methods (to include an introduction to ECED choral literature & musical instruments) (3 hours) MUSC 3210 or MUSC 5520 & 5530
- Jazz Education Methods (MUSC 4320) (1 hour)
- Theory (8 hours) MUSC 1010; MUSC 1020; MUSC 2010; MUSC 2020
- History/Literature Music (4 hours) MUSC 2030; MUSC 2040
- Beginning Conducting I (2 hours) MUSC 3410; MUSC 5560 & MUSC 5530
- Piano (2 hours) or proficiency
- MUSC 0790; or MUSC 2001; or MUSC 2501; or MUSC 4001
- Choral Arranging (2 hours) MUSC 4070
- Applied Voice (6 hours) MUSC 2002 or MUSC 2502 or MUSC 4002
- Choral Literature & Techniques (MUSC 4080; (2 hours)
- Advanced Coral Conducting (MUSC 3420 or MUSC 5330) (2 hours)
- Choral Ensemble (MUSC 4900 or MUSC 4910 or MUSC 4920) (2 hours)
Instrumental Music: (K-12) minimum 30 Hours
- Elementary School Music Methods (to include an introduction to ECED choral literature & musical instruments) (3 hours)
- MUSC 3210 or MUSC 5520 & 5530 or MUSC 5410
- Theory (8 hours)
- MUSC 1010; MUSC 1020; MUSC 2010; MUSC 2020
- History/Literature Music (4 hours)
- MUSC 2030; MUSC 2040
- Conducting I (2 hours)
- MUSC 3410; MUSC 5530 & MUSC 5560
- Piano (2 hours) or proficiency
- MUSC 0790; MUSC 2001; MUSC 2501; MUSC 4001
- Instrumental Methods/Techniques (6 hours) (strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion) (MUSC 2121 & MUSC 2122 & MUSC 2123 & MUSC 2124)
- Applied Major Instrument (4 hours)
- MUSC 2000; MUSC 2500; MUSC 4003; MUSC 4004
- Instrumental Ensemble (MUSC 4940; MUSC 4960; MUSC 4970; MUSC 4980) (2 hours)
- Advanced Instrumental Conducting (MUSC 3420; MUSC 5320)
- Instrumentation Arranging (MUSC 3070) (2 hours)
Application and Eligibility to CMAT 5094, Secondary School Practicum
Registration in CMAT 5094 Secondary School Practicum must be approved by the student’s advisor by designated date one semester prior to when practicum is taken. Please see postings outside the School of Education Office or website, for specific deadlines. No late applications will be accepted. B or better is required for the practicum. Concurrent registration in CMAT 5094, Section 30 is also required. [http://www.webster.edu/education/students/resources.shtml].
Application to CMAT 5095, Apprentice Teaching: Secondary School
Successful completion of CMAT 5095 Apprentice Teaching: Secondary School is required to meet the graduation require-ments of the MAT in Secondary Education. Application and registration in CMAT 5095 must be approved in writing by the student’s advisor early in the semester prior to practicum taking place. Please see postings outside the School of Educa-tion Office or the website for specific deadlines. Students who are full-time paraprofessionals or teachers in an approved educational setting may be eligible to earn credit for Apprentice Teaching through an assessment process.
Eligibility requirements for acceptance to CMAT 5095, Apprentice Teaching
1) Students must have successfully completed all required courses for initial teacher certification in middle school.
2) Students must have successfully completed CMAT 5094 Secondary School Practicum with a B or better
3) Students must have passed the Praxis Exam with a score equal to or greater than the Missouri qualifying score prior to registration in CMAT 5095, Apprentice Teaching: Secondary School. Students are limited to no more than two opportuni-ties to pass the Praxis. Please see www.ets.org for specific content area Praxis Exam information or the Coordinator of Teacher Certification in the School of Education.
Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements for the University
- Receipt of official transcript from the baccalaureate granting institution.
- Undergraduate CUM GPA of 2.5.
Send all required documents to the following address:
Webster University
Office of Admission
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119-3141
Completed application files will be reviewed by the School of Education Graduate Initial Teacher Certification Committee
Degree Admission
Full acceptance into the School of Education MAT requires
- An official transcript from an accredited baccalaureate degree granting institution.
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher representing all higher education coursework completed.
- B- or better in College Level Mathematics
- B- or better in College Level Composition
Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) represents a significant milestone in a candidate’s academic career. Candidates may continue enrolling in the program and demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and dispositions and mastery of program standards.
Advancement to Candidate occurs upon completion of:
- Complete 12 hours of graduate credit with grades of B or better (including CMAT 5000).
- Acceptance into the Teacher Certification program (contact the School of Education Teacher Certification Office for more information).
- Candidates must remain in good academic standing.
- Candidates must maintain a CUM GPA of 3.0 with no incomplete grades.
Students will be restricted from registering in further coursework, until advanced to candidacy. Please refer to the Advancement to Candidacy section in this catalog for specific guidelines and/or see your advisor.
CMAT 5000 Teaching in a Diverse Society (3)
Students explore issues in teaching in a multicultural setting, examining the implications of diverse student populations and emphasizing values and beliefs about learning and teaching. The course explores the historical and philosophical foundations of education, focusing on the implications for current diverse classrooms. Students will examine traditional and contemporary philosophies in their historical context and discuss the impact of these on student and teacher roles, curriculum, assessment and instruction, and classroom organization and management.
CMAT 5010 Curriculum Theory, Development and Assessment (3)
This foundation course is an overview of important educational theories. It is designed to examine global curriculum theories and practices and to analyze current educational issues through reading, writing, discussing and presenting ideas. Individuals explore historical perspectives, philosophical theories, and sociologic influences related to contemporary educational concerns. This course will also focus on how to develop curriculum plans that effectively teach all levels of students. Participants will learn how to write lesson plans and unit plans following School of Education guidelines that focus on rationale, description of learners and setting, accommodations for diversity, selection of appropriate goals and objectives, and pre-, during-, and post- assessment of learner's knowledge throughout the unit, as well as unit assessment of learner outcomes. Participants will learn to describe what P-12 students need to know and be able to perform by the end of the unit and will develop a daily general schedule for the lessons included. Participants will learn how to apply research from a variety of resources including print and media and will explore the multifaceted ways for using technology in the classroom. By the end of the course participants will understand how curriculum theory and practice affect the classroom and be able to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher of P-12 students. Prerequisite: CMAT 5000.
CMAT 5015 Differentiated Instruction and Assessment (3)
Based on curriculum theories of assessment, models will be developed for quality assessment using reliability and validity. Summative and formative assessments will be developed, based on student learning and meeting national, state, and organization standards; performance assessment, including teacher-work samples and portfolio assessment will be studied. Qualitative and quantitative measures of evaluation will also be described. Various methods of documenting assessments will be applied. Methods for creating and measuring student dispositions will be developed. In addition, strategies to promote the social and academic integration of all students in the general education classroom will be provided. Topics include the following: inclusive education philosophy and research, tiered academic intervention (RTI), collaborative practices, roles and responsibilities, parent collaboration and communication, curriculum adaptations, differentiated instruction and positive behavior supports. Prerequisite: CMAT 5010 or SOCS 5760.
CMAT 5094 Practicum: Secondary School (1-3)
The focus of this practicum is observation and participation in classrooms in a secondary school setting. Practicum occurs near the end of the candidate’s program of study and may only be taken when the candidate has completed the majority of their program. Filing of appropriate forms must be completed one semester prior to placement, by the posted deadline. Private, public and parochial district placements will be made in the St. Louis County and/or St. Louis City areas. Concurrent enrollment in the practicum seminar is required (CMAT 5094, Section 30).
CMAT 5095 Apprentice Teaching: Secondary School (9)
Teacher certification students only. This course is meant for students seeking certification in elementary school education. The apprentice teaching experience is an intensive, full semester field experience in which students are provided the opportunity to instruct under the expert supervision of university supervisors and cooperating teachers. Prerequisites: CMAT 5094 with B or better and all required courses must be completed. The praxis exam must also have been passed by the student in order to register for CMAT 5095. Private, public and parochial district placements will be made in the St. Louis County and/or St. Louis City areas. Concurrent registration in the Apprentice Teaching seminar in required.
CMAT 5096 Apprentice Teaching Seminar (1)
This seminar will help students in their apprentice teaching focus on multiple factors affecting their class-room experiences, student interactions and curriculum (including planning, classroom organization and structure, unit and lesson planning, and student assessment) through the creation of a Teacher Work Sample. The course is designed to better prepare each student to meet the MoSTEP Standards. The seminar is a concurrent registration with the appropriate apprentice teaching course. Prerequisites: CMAT 5090 or CMAT 5092 or CMAT 5094 with B or better, and all required courses must be completed.
470 East Lockwood Avenue