Overview of Programs

Graduate Education – MAT Licensure Programs

Goals:

The goals for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree are: 1.    To develop effective teachers who are scholars, skillful communicators, and competent practitioners. 2.    To integrate theory and practice. 3.    To facilitate the development in students of the qualities of effective teachers with an emphasis on: critical thinking, clear communication, strong academic understanding, leadership and high ethical standards. 

There are two possible frameworks for students to utilize to complete an MAT: the Internship program and the course-based program.  Within the Internship framework, students can seek an MAT in their licensure area while completing a year's worth of experience in the schools.  Students can also utilize the course-based framework to seek an MAT, which can be used for teacher candidates who are currently teaching under a transitional license or for candidates who are seeking initial licensure in a more traditional program.

Applicants for the MAT program are screened for admission by the Department of Education Graduate Admissions coordinator and interviewed by Belmont faculty. Admission decisions are made by the faculty, and additional placement interviews are conducted by the program directors and advisors to identify appropriate placements for students.

Transcript analysis: A transcript analysis is completed for all MAT candidates to determine any missing coursework and/or competencies required for Tennessee licensure.  Candidates need to be aware that, depending on their licensure area and undergraduate program of studies, there may be additional coursework required for licensure purposes that is not required as part of the MAT program.

I. Masters of Art in Teaching: Internship

There are two possible paths to enter the MAT Internship program:

• Candidates in the first path complete an Education minor at Belmont University as an undergraduate. The minor consists of the 18-hour (e.g., the 15 hour Professional Core as part of the 4+1 program and Organization and Management of Multicultural Classroom Communities). As part of this path, Belmont undergraduates apply for graduate school during their undergraduate senior year. If accepted for admission and after undergraduate graduation, students complete the Internship in the "plus one" year and earn an MAT degree.
• Candidates in the second path enter the Internship program as post-baccalaureate students, having completed an appropriate academic major at another institution. Additional coursework may be required as stipulated by the State of Tennessee for a student to apply for their teaching license.  Appropriate transcript analyses will inform students of their need for further licensure area coursework. These candidates follow the graduate admission application process and if accepted, are admitted to the Education MAT Graduate Program first. As post-baccalaureate MAT graduate students, these candidates are required to successfully complete a 15-hour Professional Core before being accepted into the internship program.

Methods and Clinical Practice Courses

Following completion of the Professional Core requirements candidates will enroll in a 15-hour methods core and a 15 hour Clinical Practice Core. For the M.A.T. 4+1 Intern these 30 hours are divided across the Fall and Spring semesters. For the M.A.T. post-baccalaureate candidate the methods core courses are taken prior to the semester long clinical core course done as a semester-long student teaching experience.
Each intern has at least two placements during the clinical practice core courses enabling interns to have experiences at different grade levels within their area of desired licensure, and with diverse student populations. Belmont works closely with Metro Nashville Public Schools, Williamson County Public Schools, other public school districts, and private schools to ensure that our interns are placed with expert mentor teachers.

M.A.T. Year-long (July – May) Internship Teaching in the Schools

During the M.A.T. internship year, interns hold the Tennessee Interim D License and teach full time alongside a school-based mentor for two semesters. Interns are treated as full-time teachers and as such participate in the same daily schedule and school calendar as their mentors. The Alternative License D allows that year to count as the first year of professional experience. Because this year counts as the first year of teaching, each semester is organized to allow the interns to gradually assume greater responsibility for organizing and leading instruction and classroom management. After team-teaching with their mentor for several weeks, interns assume more of the decision-making role for approximately eight weeks. Mentors model effective teaching practices, teach with, observe, and confer with interns on a daily basis during all phases of the intern cycle. The Coordinator of the Intern Program and University Supervisors provide additional supports in terms of site visits, observations, feedback, and evaluation.

Evaluation

Evaluation of each intern's progress occurs using formative evaluation at the midpoint of each semester, with summative evaluations at the end of each semester. A summative evaluation by the school principal or their designee takes place each semester. The Coordinator of the Intern Program works with the principals to complete all probationary status paperwork. Interns are responsible for maintaining a daily record of their attendance and participation at their schools to submit to the state and earn the year of experience.

Licensure

The internship offers licensure in K-6, 4-8  or 7-12 subject areas.  Candidates for the 7-12 subject areas are required to have an undergraduate major in their licensure area or the equivalent of 24 hours.  Applications for licensure are submitted by Belmont University after a teacher candidate has completed all Belmont coursework and all other relevant coursework as stipulated by the state's licensure requirements. After students receive their licensure, they can apply to have that license transferred to other states.

II. M.A.T. Internship Program (6-12 Initial Licensure)

III. M.A.T. Post-bac Program

Post-bac (6-12 Initial Licensure Certification)

K-12 Theatre and Drama, Education Major

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