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Education

Associate Professor Cynthia Gardner, Chair, Division of Education, Director of Educator Preparation, Director of the Graduate Program, and MAT Program Coordinator

Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary STEM

The Master of Arts in Teaching (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics) and STEM Education follows the Maryville College Educator Preparation Program Learning Outcomes. MAT graduates will have the skills, dispositions, and knowledge needed to be successful first-year teachers. Our coordinated efforts provide an educator preparation program that will develop teachers who demonstrate:

  1. The influence of a broad liberal arts education,
  2. The ability to solve the many theoretical, practical, and ethical problems associated with who to teach, what to teach, and how best to teach,
  3. An understanding of the learning process, and the skills to design instruction appropriate for diverse student populations,
  4. The skills needed to analyze and implement the instructional process,
  5. The ability to effectively integrate technology into the instructional process, and
  6. A commitment to personal and professional growth.

MAT Student Learning Objectives (SLO)

SLO 1: Graduates of the MAT program will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the content in their specific teaching/licensure field.

SLO 2: Graduates of the MAT program will demonstrate an understanding of the 10 InTASC standards at the appropriate progression level(s) in the following categories: the learner and learning; content; instructional practice; and professional responsibility.

SLO 3: Graduates of the MAT program will demonstrate the professional dispositions that are expected of educators, including: a) collaboration with peers, parents, and other school personnel, b) professional behaviors and expectations, c) communicating respect for and development of a rapport with all students, d) adhering to the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and the Tennessee Teacher Code of Ethics.

SLO 4: Graduates of the MAT program contribute to an expected level of student-learning growth.

SLO 5: Graduates of the MAT program effectively apply the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions that the preparation experiences were designed to achieve.

The Division of Education houses the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree programs, and works across multiple departments to provide initial licensure in various P/K-12 and 6-12 areas. The Educator Preparation Program at Maryville College is continually refined to meet the State of Tennessee’s licensure requirements for teachers. As a result, modifications in programs and curriculum may occur. Those interested in the MAT program should meet with the Director of Graduate Programs.

Undergraduate students at Maryville College wishing to pursue the MAT as a 5th year masters are encouraged to discuss the educator preparation program and teacher licensure requirements with their content advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs on a regular basis. This will ensure all requirements for the bachelor’s degree and for the MAT are met on time.

The MAT is designed as an accelerated one-year program and delivered through a cohort model. The cohort model offers a supportive group of peers that enter and remain in the program together. A new cohort of MAT students begins each May with a three-week May Term. The program continues with two consecutive 5.5-week Summer sessions, a 14-week Fall semester, and concludes with a 14-week Spring semester. Completing the MAT program may take longer than one year for students who do not begin with or remain in the cohort. The MAT includes two semesters of clinical practice. During this time, candidates will be paired with a mentor teacher in grades 6-12 and work full-time in the secondary classroom.

Undergraduates Taking Graduate Courses

Approved undergraduate students may take a maximum of 6 graduate hours. Credit earned from the graduate course(s) may only count as electives in the undergraduate degree. Prior to enrolling, the student must have earned 90 semester hours of undergraduate credit and a minimum GPA to meet graduate school admission requirements.

Below are the courses that undergraduates may take for graduate credit:

EDU 501. Models of Teaching Secondary Curriculum & Methods

EDU 502. Technology for the Secondary Classroom

EDU 512. Effective Teaching Practices for Exceptional and Diverse Secondary Students

EDU 521. Disciplinary Literacy for Middle Level and Secondary Students

Educator Preparation Professional Characteristics

It is the responsibility of all students seeking teacher licensure to develop and maintain professional behaviors, characteristics, and dispositions that are associated with professional educators. These essential dispositions include self-regulation, professional grooming/appearance, appropriate relationships, professionalism, cultural awareness, integrity, affect, respect, communication, and reflection. Candidates are expected to demonstrate essential dispositions throughout the program of study not only in coursework, teaching practice, professional activities, and student teaching, but also in personal interactions with students, families, colleagues, and communities. In addition to the above, the Tennessee State Board of Education requires candidates to be aware of the Tennessee Teacher Code of Ethics that outlines behaviors that will result in the dismissal and revocation of the teaching license.

Admission and Screening

Students enrolling in the Master of Arts in Teaching program leading to initial teacher licensure must meet specific requirements to enter and progress through the program.

Requirements for Initial Admission to the M.A.T. Program

  • Completed Maryville College Application to Graduate Studies including all supporting materials.
  • A bachelor's degree from a four-year, regionally accredited college or university in the discipline in which the individual is going to teach (for example, math).
  • Passing scores on the appropriate state-mandated subject matter exams(s) within five years.
    • Students not meeting this requirement may be allowed to take a maximum of 9 credit hours. However, no students may enroll in 600-level courses without meeting the testing requirement.
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from a completed undergraduate or graduate degree program or a 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours of a completed undergraduate or graduate degree program.
  • Statement of Purpose, outlining your professional and educational goals.
  • Three recommendations (academic, employment, and character reference).
  • Professional Résumé.
  • Submission of a writing sample of high quality.
  • TBI BACKGROUND RECORDS CHECK submitted directly to Maryville College EPP: no second-party background checks are accepted.
  • Completed successful Entrance Screening consisting of an oral interview with the Graduate Committee.

Level II Screening – Formal Admission into the MAT Program (Candidate Status)

Level II Screening is held mid-summer and fully admits candidates to the MAT Program and Clinical Practice I.

Requirements for formal admission are:

  1. 2.75+ GPA with no more than one grade of “C”.
  2. Passing scores on the appropriate state-mandated subject matter exams(s).
  3. At target or above for Professional Dispositions Standards.
  4. Current TBI background check.
  5. Current liability insurance.

Level III Screening – Completion of the MAT Program

Level III Screening is performed at the conclusion of Clinical Practice I. Successful candidates are admitted to Clinical Practice II.

Requirements are*:

  1. 2.75+ GPA with no more than one grade of “C”.
  2. Demonstrating “Target” or “Exceeds Target” in all areas of Professional Behavior and Dispositions.
  3. Performance levels of 3 or above on TEAM evaluations completed in EDU 600.
  4. Recommendation from clinical mentor and clinical supervisor.

*Job-embedded candidates will follow guidelines as directed by the Support Team, including a designated school administrator.

Entry to the Profession: Applying for Tennessee Licensure

To be eligible for a teaching license in Tennessee, a graduate must be recommended by the College and meet the following requirements:

  • A conferred bachelor’s degree.
  • Maintaining the 2.75 grade point average required for admission to the EPP.
  • Demonstrating “Target” or “Exceeds Target” level of competence in all learner outcomes on the Summative Evaluation of Clinical Practice.
  • Demonstrating “Target” or “Exceeds Target” in all areas of Professional Behavior and Dispositions.
  • Obtaining qualifying scores on all required Praxis Subject Area Assessment(s) required by the state of Tennessee.
  • Obtaining qualifying score on required edTPA exam(s) required by the state of Tennessee.
  • Receiving a positive recommendation from the EPP as a result of the student teaching experience. (A grade of “C” does not guarantee a favorable recommendation.)
  • Completing an exit meeting with EPP faculty.
  • Satisfying any other licensure requirements mandated by the State of Tennessee. Requirements may change and candidates must meet requirements in effect at the time of their graduation. These requirements may be different from those in effect at the time they entered.

Retention in the Program

Students may continue in the MAT Program as long as they make satisfactory progress and meet all requirements set forth by the Educator Preparation Program. All students in the program must maintain a grade point average of 2.75.

No more than one grade of “C” will be applied toward graduation. Students have the option of repeating a course for which they earn a grade of “C” or lower.

Any course for which a student has earned an “F” may be repeated once, and such a course must be taken at Maryville College. A second “F” in the repeated course will result in dismissal from the program. Only the credit hours and grades for the repeated course are used in determining the student’s overall GPA, although all grades are recorded on the transcript. Completing the MAT program may take longer than one year for students that retake a course.

Students who fail to maintain academic performance and professional dispositions as required by Maryville College and the Educator Preparation Program are subject to action from the Teacher Advisory Board. The Board may place conditions on the student’s continuation in the program or may remove the student from the program.

Background Checks

All MAT students are required to complete and pass a TBI background check (background checks are valid for one year). Tennessee state law dictates that all persons who have contact with children in grades P-12 must have the appropriate background check conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. All students must submit this information before they can participate in a clinical experience. See the Administrative Assistant in the Education Division for information about this process.

Additional Endorsements

All candidates seeking initial endorsement in K-12, P-12, or secondary grades 6-12 areas of licensure should review the TN Educator Licensure Policy 5.502a as it applies to adding additional areas of endorsements. See Tennessee Department of Education Operating Procedures for more information: Candidate Guidance for Additional Endorsements.

Accreditation

The Maryville College Educator Preparation Program is accredited by the Tennessee State Board of Education (TNSBE). All licensure programs are approved by the TNSBE.

Program Outcome Data Reports

Student outcome data related to the Maryville College Educator Preparation Program is displayed annually in Tennessee’s Annual Teacher Preparation Report Card and can be accessed on the College website.