Master of Arts in Teaching - Arizona
42 Semester Credits/ 4 Semesters/16 Months
Delivery Mode: Online
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program (MAT) provides students a pathway to complete their Arizona teaching credential preparation program while also pursuing a Master’s degree. Students interested in teaching at the K-8 school level in the State of Arizona must have completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge: Elementary Education Subtest I & II exam (NT102 and NT103) and AEPA/NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge-Elementary Education (NT051) exam. Students interested in teaching at the 6-12 school level must have completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the APEA/NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge-Secondary Education (NT052) and the AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge Exam in the requested subject area or have completed a regionally accredited subject-matter program.
The College of Education offers the following Teacher Credentialing programs approved by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE):
- Elementary Education TK-8
- Secondary Education 6-12
Requirements for all Credential Program Candidates
To stay on schedule for graduation and to be eligible to receive the institutional recommendation for the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) students seeking a credential must show proof of passing the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA/NES) prior to beginning student teaching. It is highly recommended that candidates take this exam as early in the program as possible.
Student Teaching Requirements
- Completed and passed the AEPA/NES for the credential being sought.
- CPR Certification
- TB Clearance
- All credential candidates must provide a fingerprint clearance card.
- Complete 600 hours of full-time student teaching in an approved classroom(s) over 2 eight-week sessions regardless of holidays or vacation days
- Students are advised not to work during their student teaching experience as it is a full-time commitment requiring 40 plus hours each week
- Substitute teaching and non-sequential or unapproved placements may not be counted towards the 600 hours of required practicum
- Students may be required to travel to distant school sites as assigned-specific school schedule requests or school sites may or may not be accommodated
Program Completion Requirements
- Complete program with a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Exit Interview
- Exit Survey
Teacher Credentialing and Licensure
Per the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) all students must meet the specific requirements in effect at the time of candidate application for credential. While the United States University program prepares Arizona teacher candidates it does not guarantee teacher licensure. All credential candidates are encouraged to check the certification requirement page on a regular basis as requirements may change. https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2016/08/Requirements%20for%20Certificate%20-%20Elementary.pdf?id=57a5f538aadebe02a4f4f3c2
In order to be granted an Institutional Recommendation to be given to the Arizona Department of Education for an Elementary Education credential candidates must complete the following requirements:
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Satisfy the pedagogy requirement: AEPA/NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge-Elementary Education (NT051) exam
- Achieve a passing score on required subject matter exams: AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge: Elementary Education Subtest I & II exam. (NT102 and NT103)
Outcomes
By the end of the Master of Arts in Teaching candidates will learn, apply, and reflect upon the following InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards:
Standard 1: Learner Development - The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Standard 2: Learning Differences - The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Standard 3: Learning Environments - The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Standard 4: Content Knowledge - The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Standard 5: Application of Content - The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Standard 6: Assessment - The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Standard 7: Planning for Instruction - The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard 8: Instructional Strategies - The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Curriculum Requirements
Core Course Requirements
| EDU501 | Affirming and Valuing Diversity in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU503 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDU504 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDU510 | Introduction to Classroom Instruction | 3 |
| MAE500 | Psychology of Education | 3 |
| MAE512 | Assessment in Education | 3 |
Multiple Subject Requirements
| ELL526 | Foundations of English Learner Instruction in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDU574 | Elementary Teaching Methods I | 3 |
| EDU575 | Elementary Teaching Methods II | 3 |
| EDU536 | Language Arts and Reading K-6 | 3 |
| EDU561 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I | 5 |
| EDU572 | Student Teaching Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU563 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II | 5 |
| EDU576 | Student Teaching Seminar II | 1 |
Single Subject Requirements
| ELL527 | Foundations of English Learner Instruction in Secondary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDU542 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDU570 | Secondary Teaching Methods I | 3 |
| EDU571 | Secondary Teaching Methods II | 3 |
| EDU565 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I | 5 |
| EDU572 | Student Teaching Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU567 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II | 5 |
| EDU576 | Student Teaching Seminar II | 1 |