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
MID 725
Teaching Early Adolescents (3)*
PSY 710
Psychology of Education (3)
RDG 710
Content Area Literacy (3)
Spring Year 1 Summer Year 2
Courses taken from MSSU SFR 797
Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (9)
SEC 783
Internship in Teaching I (3)
Educ. App. of Computers (3)
SPE 715
Foundations in Special Ed. (3)
and become a
CERTIFIED TEACHER in
SEC 784 EDT 662
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 Methods (3)
Spring Year 2
EDC 786
Research 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 addition of certification for middle school.
Contacts Dr. Emmett Sawyer Missouri State MAT Program Director MSU – Hill Hall 444 Office (417) 836-4720 EmmettSawyer@MissouriState.edu Dr. Maggie Beachner MSSU Teacher Education Graduate Program Coordinator MSSU – Taylor Hall 229-B Office (417) 625-3079, Fax (417) 625-9771 Beachner-m@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 Academic 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:
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 Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA), the state licensure examination. Faculty members mentor MAT candidates to ensure a successful start to their teaching careers. Fully accredited by CAEP & approved by DESE.
• Request a transcript analysis in the certification area of interest from the Teacher Certification Office. www.MissouriState.edu/certification/APG.htm • Meet with the MAT academic advisor to discuss the Transcript Analysis and program options. Scores are used to determine coursework, and the exam must be passed prior to the clinical experience portion of the program.
What will I study? Initial courses focus on the fundamental skills required to teach in the classroom. Each candidate’s MoCA score(s) 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: Biology (Categorical Science) Chemistry (Categorical Science) Earth Science (Categorical Science) English French (K-12) Latin (K-12) Music-Instrumental (K-12) Physics (Categorical Science) Spanish (K-12)
Biology (Unified Science) Chemistry (Unified Science) Earth Science (Unified Science) Family & Consumer Sciences German (K-12) Mathematics Music-Vocal/Choral (K-12) Social Studies Speech/Theatre
Middle school certification can be added to the following secondary education programs by also completing MID 725 and MoCA #062: English, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Studies, and Speech/Theatre.
• After talking with the MAT Academic Advisor, follow the application process found on the MAT website, www.MissouriState.edu/MATadmission . 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). 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 research-based 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.