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 different clinical practice pathways for students to utilize to complete an MAT: a year-long internship or a semester of student teaching.

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.

Professional Core

The Professional Core is composed of competencies embedded in four courses: EDU 5010 Contemporary Issues, EDUC 5110 Advanced Educational Psychology, EDU 5500 Child Development (elementary) OR EDU 5230 Human Development (secondary), and EDU 5800 Meeting Needs of Diverse Learners. These courses may be taken either as undergraduate or graduate level courses.

Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum and Instruction courses are tied to the level of licensure sought (i.e., Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary). These courses are specific methods and instructional practice courses tied to content.

Clinical Practice Courses

Clinical practice has at least two placements enabling candidates to have experiences at different grade levels within their area of desired licensure, and with diverse student populations. Belmont partners with local public school districts, charter and private schools to ensure that our candidates are placed with expert mentor teachers.

Evaluation

Evaluation of each candidate’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 Director of the Clinical Program works with the principals to complete all probationary status paperwork. Candidates 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 M.A.T. offers licensure in PK-3, K-5 or 6-12 subject areas. Candidates for the 6-12 subject areas are required to have an undergraduate major in their licensure area or the equivalent of 24 hours. Candidates for the PK-3 and K-5 licensure must also meet technical requirements in addition to the course work for the M.A.T: a course in school health, a course in arts for education (can be one art and one music class), a biological science course, a physical science course, a U.S. history course, a world history course (a course on history outside the U.S.), a course in math competency, and two courses in math for elementary teachers. Previous coursework, life experience, or successful PRAXIS content knowledge examination may be used to satisfy these technical requirements.

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.

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

I. Masters of Art in Teaching: Internship Pathway (PK-3, K-5, Initial Licensure)

Completion of the Professional Core (12 hours) is a pre-requisite to admission into the internship pathway:

•   Belmont graduates who are completing the 4+1 pathway complete the professional core as part of their undergraduate minor in education: The minor consists of the 18-hours of which 12 hours are the professional core and 6 hours include Organization and Management of Multicultural Classroom Communities plus an additional EDU course. 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.

•   Graduate students wishing to complete the internship pathway 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 12-hour Professional Core and pass Gateway 2 before beginning the internship program.

During the M.A.T. internship year, interns 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. Each semester is organized to allow the interns to gradually assume greater responsibility for organizing and leading instruction and classroom management. After co-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 Director of the Clinical Program and University Supervisors provide additional supports in terms of site visits, observations, feedback, and evaluation.

II. Masters of Art in Teaching: Internship Pathway (6-12 Initial Licensure)

Completion of the Professional Core (12 hours) is a pre-requisite to admission into the internship pathway:

•   Belmont graduates who are completing the 4+1 pathway complete the professional core as part of their undergraduate minor in education. The minor consists of the 18-hours of which 12 hours are the professional core and 6 hours include Organization and Management of Multicultural Classroom Communities plus an additional EDU course. 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.

•   Graduate students wishing to complete the internship pathway 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 12-hour Professional Core and pass Gateway 2 before beginning the internship program.

During the M.A.T. internship year, interns 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. Each semester is organized to allow the interns to gradually assume greater responsibility for organizing and leading instruction and classroom management. After co-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 Director of the Clinical Program and University Supervisors provide additional supports in terms of site visits, observations, feedback, and evaluation.

III. Masters of Art in Teaching: Student Teaching Pathway (PK-3, K-5 Initial Licensure)

Graduate students who have not previously completed the Professional Core may instead choose to pursue the Student Teaching Pathway. The student teaching pathway includes 12 hours of the Professional Core, 15 hours of curriculum and instruction courses, and 6 hours of clinical practice in a semester-long student teaching experience.

IV. Masters of Art in Teaching: Student Teaching Pathway (6-12 Initial Licensure)

Graduate students who have not previously completed the Professional Core may instead choose to pursue the Student Teaching Pathway. The student teaching pathway includes 12 hours of the Professional Core, 15 hours of curriculum and instruction courses, and 6 hours of clinical practice in a semester-long student teaching experience.

V. Masters of Art in Teaching: English as a Second Language Initial Licensure (Classroom)

VI. Masters of Art in Teaching: K-12 Art Education Teaching Certificate