Elementary Education (MAT)
Program Description
Webster's MAT in elementary education degree program provides a strong knowledge base of content, child development, and current research that supports best practices in elementary education. The degree emphasizes the principles and practices of inquiry-based and cooperative learning differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive teaching.
This graduate degree program is designed to provide the foundation for teacher preparation leading to initial Missouri teacher certification in Elementary Education
Learning Outcomes
The goals of the MAT in elementary education are to cultivate graduates who are:
1. Knowledgeable Learners
Candidates in the elementary MAT will:
a. understand, demonstrate, and apply knowledge of many disciplines
b. learn how to engage students through an integrated and innovative curriculum
c. that builds learners confidence.
2. Reflective Collaborators
Candidates in the elementary MAT will:
a. demonstrate their ability to facilitate student learning and to reflect on educational
outcomes.
b. demonstrate their ability to collaborate with colleagues, students, and families.
3. Informed Instructors
Candidates in the elementary MAT will:
a. use educational theory, best practices, and research to design curriculum, and
conduct assessment .
b. learn pedagogical strategies to motivate students to learn.
c. teach students academic, social and technological skills for living in a changing
world.
4. Responsive Educators
Candidates in the elementary MAT will:
a. recognize and appreciate the needs of diverse learners based on child development
theory and research.
b. create a positive learning experience that responds to the needs of all learners.
c. celebrate the talents and cultures of all students.
Policies and Procedures
The candidate 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 graduation. 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 Elementary Grades 1-6
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).
Program Curriculum
To achieve Missouri state certification in Elementary, Grades 1-6 candidates are required to take more than 33 credit hours (plus 10 credit hours of apprentice teaching) 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 Elementary (grades 1-6) may require more than the listed hours required for the MAT degree program, alone.
Degree Requirements
The following courses are required for the MAT degree in elementary education.
The following courses must be taken while in-residence at Webster University.
Foundations
- CMAT 5000 Teaching in a Diverse Society (3 hours)
- CMAT 5010 Curriculum Theory, Development and Assessment (3 hours)
- CMAT 5015 Differentiated Instruction and Assessment (3 hours)
(It is recommended that candidates have a prior course in the Psychology of the Exceptional Student before taking this course) - EPSY 5170 Behavior Management (3 hours)
Communication Arts Courses
- COMM 5960 Differentiated Reading Instruction (3 hours)
- COMM 5640 Methods of Teaching Art Forms, Health and PE (3 hours)
- COMM 5440 Integrated Language Arts (3 hours)
Clinical Experiences
- CMAT 5090 Practicum: Elementary (3 hours)
- CMAT 5091 Apprentice Teaching: Elementary School (9 hours)
- CMAT 5096 Apprentice Teaching Seminar(1 hour)
In each of the three 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 5816 Advanced Child Development (2-3 hours)
- EPSY 5130 Educational Psychology (3 hours)
Reading Methods
- COMM 5820 Foundations in Reading( 2-3 hours)
- COMM 5840 Reading & Writing as Cognitive Processes(2-3 hours)
Content Methods Courses
- SCIC 5010 Contemporary Science Methods
or EDUC 4580 Methods of Teaching Elementary Science (3 hours) - EDUC 4575 Methods of Teaching Elementary Social Studies (3 hours)
- COMM 5000 Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry for children (3 hours)
Total: 43 hours
All of the above courses are required to complete the requirements for initial Missouri teacher certification in the Elementary Education program.
The following additional courses are required to complete the certification program.
- Art or Music History or Appreciation
- Economics – Any course in economics
- EDTC 5010 Classroom Technology
- Geography – Cultural or regional (not physical)
- MTHT 4310 Elementary School Mathematics Methods
- Second College Level Math appropriate for Elementary Teachers
The State of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires 21 hours in an area of concentration for elementary candidates.
Application and Eligibility to CMAT 5090, Elementary School Practicum
Registration in CMAT 5090 Elementary 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. [http://www.webster.edu/education/students/resources.shtml].
Application to CMAT 5091, Apprentice Teaching: Elementary School
Successful completion of CMAT 5091 Apprentice Teaching: Elementary School is required to meet the graduation requirements of the MAT in elementary education.
Application and registration in CMAT 5091 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 Education Office or on 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 (see School of Education Student Resources).
Eligibility requirements for acceptance to CMAT 5091, Apprentice Teaching
- Students must have successfully completed all required courses for initial teacher certification in elementary education.
- Students must have successfully completed CMAT 5090 Elementary Practicum with a B or better
- Students must have passed Praxis II, #011 Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment with a score equal to or greater than the Missouri qualifying score prior to registration in CMAT 5091, Apprentice Teaching: Elementary School. Students are limited to no more than two opportunities pass the Praxis.
Admission
Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
- Receipt of official transcripts from the baccalaureate granting institution.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75
- B- or better in college-level mathematics
- B- or better in college-level composition
Send all required documents to the following address:
Office of Admission
Webster University
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
Advancement to Candidacy
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 and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Candidates will be restricted from registering in further coursework, until advanced to candidacy. Candidates must complete the ATC form and submit it to the appropriate Department Representative. Please refer to the Advancement to Candidacy section in this catalog for specific guidelines and/or see your advisor.
Locations
- St. Louis Home Campus
This is a draft version of the '13-'14 catalog that becomes official 6/1/13.