Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Program
Alternative Pathway to Certification
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2005-2006
The policies outlined in this handbook are valid for all MAT students and are subject to change
College of Education and Human Development
SLU 10671
Hammond, LA 70402
CONTACT INFORMATION PAGE
For general information and updates: http://www.selu.edu/mat
For information about admissions and SARTE status contact:
Dr. Bill Neal
College of Education and Human Development
SLU 10671, Hammond, LA 70402
Assistant Dean and Coordinator Alternative Certification Program
, Tel. 985-549-2311
or
Dr. Rossana Boyd
SLU 10671, Hammond, LA 70402
Coordinator Internet Alternative Certification Program
,Tel. 985-549-5531
or
Maureen Lundergan, MAT Secretary
SLU 10671, Hammond, LA 70402
, Tel. 985-549-5736
For authorization to enroll in Internet courses contact:
Dr. Paul Goodwin
Department of Teaching and Learning
, Tel. 985-549-3422
For Information about courses and academic matters contact:
Dr. Shirley Jacob, Interim Head
Department of Teaching and Learning
SLU 10749
Hammond, LA 70402
, Tel. 985-549-2221
For information about student teaching or internship contact:
Dr. Rebecca Day
The Office of Student Teaching
SLU 10818
Hammond, LA 70402
, Tel. 985-549-2220
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contact Information 2
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose 5
1.2 Requirements for Admissions 5
1.3 Selective Admission and Retention in Teacher Education (SARTE)
Policies and Procedures 6
2. Admission to the Program
2.1 Admission Procedures 6
2.2 How To Apply for Admission 6
3. Courses in the MAT Program
3.1 Course Delivery 7
3.2 Procedures to Apply for Internet Courses 7
3.3 Courses for Concentration in Elementary (Grades 1-5) and Mil d/
Moderate Special Education 8
3.4. Courses for Concentration in Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) 9
4. Advising 10
5. Student Portfolios in the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Program 10
6. SARTE Status
6.1 Requirements for Full SARTE Status 10
6.2 Continuous Screening 10
6.3 Retention Procedures 10
6.4 Appeal Procedures 11
7. Policies
7.1 Policies for Speech and Hearing Screening 11
7.2 Policy for Interview Screening 12
8. Student Teaching and Internship
8.1 Student Teaching Semester 12
8.2 Requirements for Student Teaching 12
8.3 Internship Year 13
9. Requirements to Receive the MAT Degree 14
10. Requirements for Certification 14
11. General Information
11.1 How to Drop or Add Courses 15
11.2 Textbooks 15
11.3 Tuition Costs 15
11.4 Fees 16
11.5 Methods of Payment 16
12. Financial Aid and Scholarships
12.1 Financial Aid Federal Programs 16
12.2 Scholarship Information 16
12.3 Louisiana Teacher Tuition Exemption 16
.
APPENDIX A – MAT Checklist of Requirements 17
APPENDIX B – Praxis Exams and Passing Scores Required in the MAT Program 19
APPENDIX C – Application to Enroll in Internet Courses 23
APPENDIX D - Application for SARTE Form 25
APPENDIX E - Speech and Hearing Screening Form 27
APPENDIX F - Application for Admission to Candidacy for the MAT Degree Form 28
APPENDIX G –Course Descriptions 29
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING
1. Introduction
The Southeastern Louisiana University Department of Teaching and Learning offers teacher preparation programs that are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
The Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education and Human Development provides admission and academic guidelines for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program. The MAT degree is a pathway to alternative certification for individuals from non-education backgrounds who hold an undergraduate or a graduate degree and who wish to transition into teaching.
The degree offers two concentrations; certification in elementary education grades 1-5 (add on in special education-mild/moderate) (39 hours) and certification in secondary education for grades 6-12 (36 hours) in the following specialty areas: Agriculture, biology and general science, business, ‘chemistry, physics, and general science,’ English, family and consumer sciences, French, German, industrial technology, Latin, mathematics, social studies, Spanish, and speech.
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is to offer an alternative teacher certification pathway.
1.2 Requirements for Admissions
To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program, an applicant must:
· Meet all university admission requirements that include submission of the following: an application for admission; a non-refundable fee to the Graduate Admissions Office prior to the established deadlines, an immunization form, and official copies of transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
· Possess a Bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA or a Master’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from a regionally accredited university or the equivalent from a foreign institution.
· Achieve passing scores on the Praxis I PPST (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics).
· Achieve a passing score on the Praxis II subject matter specialty examination in the certification area being sought.
Elementary Education/Mild Moderate Special Education (Grades 1-5)
Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) in: Secondary Education (Grades 6-12), in the following areas of certification listed below: biology and general science, business, chemistry, physics, and general science, English, French, home economics, mathematics, social studies. Also, in agriculture, German, Latin, speech, and technology education, which require 31 hours of course work and current employment in the area of concentration.
1.3 Selective Admission and Retention in Teacher Education (SARTE) Policies and
Procedures Applicable to the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree
A person desiring to become a teacher must maintain academic standards and demonstrate qualifications for successful teaching including satisfactory performance in field experiences. Therefore, the College of Education and Human Development at Southeastern Louisiana University reserves the right to recruit, admit and retain in the Professional Program in Teacher Education only those students who show evidence of being capable of performing in an acceptable professional manner. Enrollment in the professional program does not guarantee that a student will receive the degree or certification sought simply because he/she completes a number of courses or is in the field the required number of hours.
Certification requirements are specified by the State Legislature and/or the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and coordinated by the State Department of Education. These requirements are subject to periodic modification, which may not occur at times appropriate for inclusion in the annual publication of the University catalogue. It is the responsibility of the students to make periodic checks for such changes with their academic advisers and/or department head.
2. Admission to the Program
2.1 Admission Procedures
Students who have been admitted to the graduate school and to the MAT degree enter the program with Provisional SARTE status. Students must register for the first course required in the degree program, MAT 610 - Fundamentals I: Teaching and Learning for General Education and make application for Admission to the Professional Program in Teacher Education and full SARTE status.
Students may enroll in the first nine hours of course work only during their first semester in the MAT program (MAT 610, MAT 615, MAT 620) while in Provisional SARTE status. The remaining courses in the MAT degree require full SARTE status by the end of their first semester.
Students who are unsuccessful at acquiring full SARTE status will be placed in non-degree (ND) status and will be ineligible to enroll in any MAT courses until full SARTE status is obtained.
2.2 How to Apply for Admissions
To apply for admissions submit the first four requirements to the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Praxis examinations passing scores to the College of Education and Human Development:
· Completed Application for Graduate Admissions to the MAT program. Specify area of concentration. The application may be submitted online at http://www.selu.edu/enroll/grad_app.htm or mailed to the Office of Admissions to SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY, Office of Graduate Admissions, SLU 10752, Hammond, Louisiana 70402. For questions call Tel.: 985-549-5620 or 1-800-222-7358.
· Check payable to Southeastern for non-refundable $20.00 application fee ($70 if late application). If paying by credit card, tuition may be paid by telephone, 1-800-222-7358, for first time SLU students. All other students may pay online through LEONET for students at www.selu.edu, click on LEO icon.
· Completed immunization form (Internet students sign waiver and mail) downloadable at https://www.selu.edu/enroll/grad_app.htm.
· Two sets of official transcripts from all universities attended. Mail one set to the Office of Graduate Admissions, SLU 10752, Hammond, LA 70402 and mail the other set to the College of Education and Human Development, SLU 10761, Hammond, LA 70402.
· Foreign transcripts translated in English must be evaluated by the Office of International Admissions. Call 1-800-222-SELU (7358) or by ACCRO, Tel. 202-293-9161, Fax: 202-872-8857. Taking additional undergraduate level courses may be required to meet the General Education Curriculum of Southeastern prior to admission to the MAT program.
· Passing scores on Praxis I (PPST) reading, writing, and math examinations and Praxis II specialty area examinations (refer to Appendix B for passing scores). In the test booklet code Southeastern (# RA6656) as a test recipient, include your social security number, and if taking the tests outside of Louisiana include the code for the Louisiana Department of Education (#R7330). ETS will send official scores of Praxis taken in Louisiana to the Louisiana State Department of Education.
3. Courses in the MAT Program
3.1 Course Delivery
The courses are delivered on-campus and 100% via the Internet using Blackboard 6. The 100% Internet courses are for individuals who are teaching full time as teachers of record in the exact grade and area of certification they are seeking through the MAT program. Candidates seeking certification in Elementary education (Grades 1-5) and mild/moderate special education must be teaching in an inclusive classroom. Out of state students enrolling in up to 6 hours of course work 100% over the Internet qualify for the University’s out of state fee waiver. Tuition is charged as if the students were Louisiana residents. Please contact the Controller’s Office to have your fee bill adjusted.
3.2 Procedures to Apply for Internet Courses
Before a student will be authorized to enroll in an Internet course the student must verify employment by submitting the following documentation:
· A cover page identifying the student’s name, W#, and desired course(s) with section number(s) and computer number(s).
· A completed and signed Application to Enroll in Internet Courses (downloadable from www.selu.edu/mat)
· A copy of the teaching schedule on school letterhead with the principal's signature.
· A copy of the teaching contract. If the school district does not issue personal contracts, then one of the following will be accepted:
1. A letter from the Human Resources Administration verifying that the student is working under contract for the current school year; or
2. A copy of the school board's minutes approving the student’s employment as a teacher for the current school year.
· Verification that school has a state approved classification
· Verification that the school is accredited by the regional accrediting agency (if applicable).
· Verification that the principal or assistant principal has certification in principalship and training in supervision (attach a copy of the teaching certificate).
· Verification that the principal/assistant principal has served in this role for a minimum of three years.
· Verification of minimum class size in the area of certification.
· Evidence of cultural diversity within the school population.
All of the above information should be faxed to Dr. Paul Goodwin, at (985) 549-5009 or mailed to his attention at: Department of Teaching and Learning, SLU 10749, Hammond, LA 70402. Incomplete information may delay registration. Once the paperwork is approved, students will be contacted through their SLU e-mail account. It is then the responsibility of the student to register for the course(s). To check the status of the approval, please call Dr. Goodwin at 985-549-3422.
3.3 Courses for Concentration in Elementary (Grades 1-5) and Add-On in Mild/Moderate Special Education
I. Knowledge of the Learner and Learning Environment (15 hours)
MAT 610 Fundamentals I: Teaching and Learning for General Education 3 hours
MAT 615 Fundamentals II: Teaching and Learning for Special Education 3 hours
MAT 620 Learning and Behavior Theories in General and Mild/Moderate
Special Education 3 hours
MAT 622 Classroom Management and Organization for Elementary and
Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours
MAT 630 Assessment I: General and Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours
II. Methodology and Teaching (18 hours)
MAT 631 Assessment II: Elementary and Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours
MAT 640 Introduction to Reading and Language Arts for Elementary and
Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours
MAT 650 Integrated Learning Methods: Math, Physical Science, and
Information Literacy 3 hours
MAT 651 Integrated Learning Methods: Life Sciences, Health and P.E.,
and Information Literacy 3 hours
MAT 652 Integrated Learning Methods: Social Studies, Arts, Music,
and Information Literacy 3 hours
MAT 670 Research Design for General and Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours
III. Student Teaching/Internship (6-9 hours)
MAT 681 Student Teaching in Elementary and Mild/Moderate Special Education 6 hours
OR
MAT 683 Internship in Elementary and Mild/Moderate Special Education 6 hours
(2 consecutive semesters – 3 hours each semester)
TOTAL 39 hours
3.4 Courses for Concentration in Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)
I. Knowledge of the Learner and Learning Environment (15 hours)
MAT 610 Fundamentals I: Teaching and Learning for General Education 3 hours
MAT 615 Fundamentals II: Teaching and Learning for Special Education 3 hours
MAT 620 Learning and Behavior Theories in General and Mild/Moderate
Special Education 3 hours
MAT 623 Classroom Management and Organization for Secondary Education 3 hours
MAT 630 Assessment I: General and Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours
II. Methodology and Teaching (15 hours)
MAT 636 Assessment II: Secondary Education 3 hours
MAT 642 Literacy Instruction for Secondary Education 3 hours
MAT 660 Specialty Area Learning Methods I: Secondary Education 3 hours
MAT 661 Specialty Area Learning Methods II: Secondary Education 3 hours
MAT 670 Research Design for General and Mild/Moderate Special Education 3 hours