Earn Your Suggested Order of Study / Tentative Course Sequence Both Missouri State and Missouri Southern classes will be held on the MSSU campus in Joplin.
Prior to First Semester
Complete content-area coursework.
Courses taken from Missouri State Summer Year 1 Fall Year 1
SFR 797 SEC 783
Internship in Teaching I (3)
MID 725
Teaching Early Adolescents (3)*
PSY 710
Psychology of Education (3)
RDG 710
Reading in the Content Fields (3)
Spring Year 1 Summer Year 2
Courses taken from MSSU
Internship in Teaching III (1)
IMT 662
Educ. App. of Computers (3)
SPE 715
Foundations in Special Ed. (3)
and become a
CERTIFIED TEACHER in
SEC 784 SEC 785
Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (9)
MASTER OF ARTS in TEACHING
Internship in Teaching II (10)
JOPLIN
Students will be certified at this point if content area is also complete. Fall Year 2
SFR 780
Educational Research Method. (3)
Spring Year 2
EDC 786
Seminar in Education (2)
Through a partnership between Missouri State University and Missouri Southern State University.
Students earn master’s degree at this point. * Not required to complete master’s degree. Optional course allows certification for middle school.
Contacts Dr. Fred H. Groves Missouri State MAT Program Coordinator MSU – Hill Hall 117 Office (417) 836-4494, Fax (417) 836-6252 FredGroves@MissouriState.edu Dr. Susan Craig MSSU Teacher Education Graduate Program Coordinator MSSU – Taylor Hall 228A Office (417) 625-9732, Fax (417) 625-9771 Craig-s@mssu.edu
Larry Nichols, J.D. Missouri State University - Joplin Campus 724 Illinois Avenue Joplin, MO 64801 Phone (417) 629-3941, Fax (417) 629-3943 LNichols@MissouriState.edu Jennifer Jensen MAT Advisor MSU – Hill Hall 207 Office (417) 836-6769, Fax (417) 836-6252 JenniferJensen@MissouriState.edu
The Joplin MAT Program
The Application Process
Since 2005, well over one hundred students have become certified teachers and earned a master’s degree entirely by taking classes in Joplin from Missouri State University and Missouri Southern State University. MAT graduates are now employed throughout southwest Missouri and beyond.
To begin the application process, candidates must: • Request a transcript analysis in the certification area of interest from the Teacher Certification Office. • Meet with an MAT advisor to discuss taking the PRAXIS II exam in the area of interest. Scores are used to determine coursework, and the exam must be passed prior to the clinical experience portion of the program.
Individuals looking for a change in career, or a second career following retirement, may benefit from this graduate-level program. The MAT offers initial teacher certification and a graduate degree for qualified students who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Qualified candidates may be able to teach for a school district on provisional certification while completing the program. The program involves extensive site-based clinical experience and targets secondary-level education with a middle school add-on certification. The program is further honed to identify appropriate certification areas based on the candidate’s undergraduate degree and life experiences. Each candidate is required to pass the PRAXIS II, the state licensure examination. Faculty members mentor MAT candidates to ensure a successful start to their teaching careers. Fully accredited by NCATE & approved by DESE.
What will I study? Initial courses focus on the fundamental skills required to teach in the classroom. Each candidate’s PRAXIS II scores provide guidance in selecting additional coursework. Candidates then begin a field-based program of study in public schools, which includes extensive mentor support. The following content areas are currently offered in the MAT program: Art (K-12) Biology (Unified Science) Chemistry (Categorical Science) Earth Science (Categorical) Family & Consumer Sciences German (K-12) Mathematics Music-Vocal/Choral (K-12) Speech/Theatre Spanish (K-12)
Biology (Categorical Science) Business Chemistry (Unified Science) English French (K-12) Latin (K-12) Music-Instrumental (K-12) Physics (Categorical Science) Social Studies
Middle school certification can be added to the following secondary education programs by also completing MID 725: English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, Business, Speech/Theatre.
• Apply to the MAT program. The application will include a letter of interest, a current résumé, and three letters of reference (including an academic reference and, if the candidate is employed by a school district, a supervisor). • Apply to the Graduate College: http://graduate.missouristate.edu Priority deadline for all required documentation is February 15. More information and the MAT Handbook is available at www.missouristate.edu/mat/
Assessment Research Requirements
Candidates will conduct an action research project and investigate his or her practice compared to researchbased practice in the school or classroom.
Comprehensive Examination
Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination before a degree will be granted. The comprehensive examination is typically a scholarly presentation based on research while in the program.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to requirements established by the Graduate College, candidates must have a cumulative 3.00 GPA on work attempted in the MAT program.