Master of Arts in Teaching

Mission Statement

The School of Education at Webster University provides its students with the knowledge, experiences, and practical tools that enable them to guide both themselves and others toward lifelong learning. The School is a community of teacher-scholars who apply critical reflection and creative energies to enhance learning in schools and other educational settings. The faculty strives to do this by modeling effective teaching practices based on sound theory and research. The personalized approaches make for a challenging, yet supportive environment that permits the risk-taking necessary for learning and growth. The School encourages its faculty and students to work actively toward this end, keeping in mind that the actions must be rooted in visionary yet realistic thinking. This thought and action process underscores the development of an inner-directed self-understanding, an outer-directed global perspective, and an appreciation of human diversity that arises from both.

Program Description

Webster's master of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) degree provides teachers with subject matter knowledge, educational understanding, technical skills, and opportunities for professional development. By providing a program that is primarily teacher oriented, Webster reinforces an educator's commitment to the classroom by increasing command of subject matter fortified with new teaching methods and strategies.

Each M.A.T. major is designed for the teacher with particular needs related to both a present teaching situation and the reality of a rapidly changing future. The M.A.T. mix of the theoretical and the practical provides a potent means for personalized graduate education, encouraging self-initiated, self-directed learning for the teachers and, derivatively, for their students.

The M.A.T. program emphasizes an inductive approach to learning. Hence, discovery and inquiry play important parts in the program. M.A.T. faculty members teach as they would have M.A.T. graduates teach--in an open, flexible, considerate manner, in which experimentation and evaluation are encouraged. In such a program, a high level of student participation is encouraged and expected.

General Requirements

An M.A.T. degree requires the satisfactory completion of 33 credit hours of appropriate graduate-level courses with a B average or the equivalent and completion of requirements for a major. Credits may also be gained through credit by examination, directed study, independent study, transfer of credit, and as an independent scholar.

Majors

Students must select a major from one of the following:

• Communication Arts
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Technology
• Mathematics
• Multidisciplinary Studies
• Science
• Social Science
• Special Education
• Individualized Major

Students selecting a major must take at least 18 credit hours in courses designated for that major.

Online (Internet-Based) Courses—Some courses in the M.A.T. program are available online via the Internet. Online courses may be combined with campus-based courses to complete requirements for an M.A.T. major. It is also possible to complete all coursework requirements with online courses for several majors. Contact the School of Education for current information.

Certification Programs

A M.A.T. student who is interested in Missouri certification must apply to the Office of Teacher Certification as well as to the M.A.T. program. The requirements are not the same; therefore, the student must take the following steps:

1. Contact the Office of Teacher Certification as soon as possible to apply for admission and to receive information regarding the State Department requirements for various types of certification. If the student is applying for initial certification, it may be necessary to take some courses on the undergraduate level. Apprentice teaching and some methods courses are in that category.
2. Counsel with the M.A.T. advisor regarding the necessary program requirements for the M.A.T. All students interested in pursuing the M.A.T. degree concurrent with initial or add-on certification must be admitted separately to the M.A.T. program and to the Teacher Certification Program.

Teacher Education Portfolio

All students seeking initial certification are required to present a portfolio demonstrating competency in teaching as identified by the Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Praxis II

In addition to the required courses, apprentice teaching and portfolio, the State of Missouri requires all teaching certificate candidates to successfully complete the Praxis II exit test. For information regarding testing dates, locations, and registration materials, check online at www.ets.org.

Postbaccalaureate Nondegree Certification

Students who already hold at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution may be able to pursue initial or additional certification through Webster University. Information regarding acceptance and requirements may be obtained from the Office of Teacher Certification.

Apprentice Teaching

Apprentice teaching is a requirement for all initial certifications and, in some instances, for additional certification.

To enroll in apprentice teaching, students must make formal application to the Office of Apprentice Teaching and Early Field Experiences at least one full semester prior to the semester in which they plan to apprentice. Application must be filed during periods designated and posted by the Office of Teacher Certification. Students should not contact school officials or teachers about placement, but should contact the Office of Apprentice Teaching and Early Field Experiences for such information. All students enrolled in apprentice teaching must participate in a mandatory biweekly seminar.

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Sequential M.A.T. Degree

A student who earns an M.A.T. from Webster University may earn a sequential M.A.T. in a different major, under the following conditions:

1. A graduate from Webster University with an M.A.T. in the 33-credit-hour format must take 18 credit hours of required coursework outlined in this catalog under the specific major. If any of these courses have been taken previously, prior approval for substitute courses must be given by the dean, area coordinator, or designee.
2. A graduate from Webster University with an M.A.T. in the 30-credit-hour format must take the 18 credit hours of required coursework outlined in the M.A.T. catalog under the specific major, plus 3 additional credit hours of M.A.T. coursework. If any of the required courses have been taken previously, prior approval for substitute courses must be given by the dean, area coordinator, or designee.

Please note that this policy applies only to students who have earned an M.A.T. from Webster (not other institutions). The 3 additional credit hours mentioned in item 2 above may be transfer credits if students have not transferred more than 6 credit hours toward their first Webster M.A.T. No more than 9 credit hours total may be transferred toward the first and sequential M.A.T. degrees.

Courses listed in this catalog are the primary means by which students in the M.A.T. program earn credits. All majors have required courses, described under the individual major sections in this catalog. At least 24 credit hours must be taken in M.A.T. courses and at least 18 credit hours in the major.

Individualized Program

A student applying for an individualized major must indicate that choice on the M.A.T. application form and must complete an essay question (on the application form). Emphasis areas available within the individualized program are computer studies, early childhood education, general elementary, general secondary, mathematics, media communications, reading, and special education. With an advisor, the student completes the proposal for the individualized program by the end of the first semester in which the student is enrolled. Students applying for the individualized M.A.T. degree must have their program designed and approved by their advisor and the Graduate Council by the end of their first semester in the program.

Advanced Graduate Certificate (A.G.C.) Program

Philosophy

The advanced graduate certificate (A.G.C.) program shares the philosophy of Webster's M.A.T. program in encouraging the active participation of students in their own learning.

General Information

The A.G.C. requires the successful completion of 15 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and a 3-credit-hour A.G.C. project.

The grading system in the A.G.C. program is the same as that described in the Grades section of this catalog.

Advising

After acceptance into the program, the student will have an initial interview with the A.G.C. coordinator to determine the general focus for the student's program and to discuss the choice of initial courses. When 6 credit hours have been completed, the student will have a detailed program review, planning, and project proposal conference. If it seems appropriate for the student to continue in the program, the student and coordinator will jointly choose a project advisor who will work closely with the student in preparation of the final A.G.C. project. The student in the A.G.C. program will register each semester with the A.G.C. coordinator.

Advanced Graduate Certificate Project

The A.G.C. project (3 credit hours) is the culminating experience in the program. The faculty member chosen by the student and the A.G.C. coordinator at the time of the program planning conference works closely with the student during this final experience. There are individual possibilities for this culminating experience: a professional conference or in-service presentation; a scholarly paper or research project that might be published or distributed within an appropriate school or community group or for a large audience; or an action project designed and implemented within the student's place of employment.

At the final presentation (or display/discussion/review) of the A.G.C., an ad hoc committee, project advisor, and the A.G.C. coordinator review the project and recommend to the dean of education the awarding of the A.G.C. A copy of the A.G.C. project will be forwarded to the student's school district if the student so requests.

Award of Advanced Graduate Certificate

After the student has successfully completed 18 credit hours of work, including the A.G.C. project, the A.G.C. will be awarded on the recommendation of the dean of education.

In-Service Education

In-service education courses advance teachers' professional development. These courses address topics and issues of currency and relevancy to teachers. Most instructors of in-service courses are successful classroom teachers who have experience teaching teachers.

Students currently pursuing a degree at Webster University may transfer a maximum of 6 credit hours of 5410 courses toward their M.A.T. with approval of their advisors. Courses numbered 5210 are offered for graduate credit, applicable to district salary increment schedules and professional development. Some 5210 courses may be applicable toward the M.A.T. with prior approval of the advisor and the major coordinator.

For more information, please call the In-Service Education Office at 314-968-7103.

The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence

The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence is an integral part of Webster University's School of Education. The Institute supports innovative education, program development, community service, and improved teaching and learning with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged minority, immigrant, and/or disabled (at risk) public school children from the urban setting.

Phi Delta Kappa

Phi Delta Kappa is an international professional fraternity for men and women in various areas of education. The purpose is to promote quality education for lifelong learning. Membership requirements include scholastic accomplishments and active engagement in educational fields, including higher education, educational research, teacher education, elementary and secondary education, school administration and supervision, or adult education. Graduate students are also eligible.