Master of Arts in Teaching with a Concentration in English (9-12) (M.A.T.)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree provides an avenue of entry into the teaching profession through graduate level study. It is intended for persons with a baccalaureate degree who desire to become certified to teach in a content area in which they hold a major or the equivalent in one of the areas where the degree is offered. M.A.T. degrees are currently offered in the fields of English, mathematics, science and social studies, leading to certification in grades 9- 12, and in art and music, leading to PreK-12 certification.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Program

1. M.A.T. candidates will earn a passing score, as determined by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDOE), on the PRAXIS II examination in their content area.  The program expects 100% of candidates to earn the minimum score on their Praxis II exams before proceeding to internship.

2. M.A.T. candidates will pass with a minimum grade of ‘C’ courses covering their content disciplines either during their undergraduate programs (prior to acceptance into the program), or as they progress through the graduate M.A.T. program.

3. M.A.T. candidates will create a discipline-specific lesson plan during their methods class.  The program has a goal of 100% of candidates scoring proficient on all measures of the lesson plan rubric.

4. M.A.T. candidates will earn an average of a three (3) on all of the components of the summative internship evaluation, including both the discipline-specific evaluation and the ADEPT 4.0 rubric.  100% of program candidates are expected to meet this SLO.  

5. M.A.T. candidates will analyze and reflect on student assessments to evaluate the success of their unit plan in impacting student learning.  The program has a goal of 100% of candidates scoring proficient on the TWS rubric items related to this SLO.  

Graduate Applications

Applications for graduate study should be directed to the Office of Graduate Studies at Coastal Carolina University.

Admission and Degree Requirements

Students who currently are enrolled at Coastal Carolina University majoring in one of the areas of M.A.T. degree preparation, and who desire to enter the program upon graduation to pursue a master’s degree and certification in teaching, may enroll in up to two courses of the M.A.T. program prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree. Students are advised that additional requirements may be added to the program of study to support needed background in a discipline and/or general education.

The PRAXIS II content knowledge examination must be successfully passed prior to entry into the Internship semester (Spring of each year). Students will not be placed in the Internship experience until a passing score on the PRAXIS II exam has been verified by the Spadoni College of Education.

Portals identify four key stages for this graduate program. The requirements for entry into each of the four portals are listed below:

Portal I. Admission to the Graduate Study (Pre-Professional Program)

1. Completion of Graduate Admission Application; 
2. Official transcript from each school or college previously attended (all prior undergraduate academic study must be represented as well as other graduate study if such study has been completed);
3. Completion of 30 credit hours of specific content area coursework;
4. One reference letter; 
5. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the content area AND a 2.75 GPA overall.
   a.  Candidates who have an earned content GPA of between 2.75-2.94 and/or an earned overall GPA of 2.60-2.74 may submit official scores on Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) to be considered for admission.  
   b.  The program will only accept candidates who earn a minimum score of 146 on verbal and minimum 140 on quantitative on the Graduate Record Examination, or a minimum score of 388 on the Miller Analogies Test.
   c.  Scores must be no more than five years old. 
6. Approval of the M.A.T. Graduate Admissions Committee (GAC). 

Portal II. Admission to Professional Program (determined at the conclusion of Summer II)

1. Minimum 3.00 GPA, with no grade below “C”.
   a.  Students who do not meet the minimum required 3.0 GPA but have a GPA between 2.99 and 2.75 may be placed on probation for one semester if recommended by the M.A.T. Portal Committee. During this probationary period, students must increase their cumulative GPA to at least 3.0 and successfully pass the specified South Carolina content area PRAXIS II examination(s) in order to be approved for Internship and continuation in the M.A.T. Program.
   b.  Students who do not meet the minimum 3.0 GPA and have a GPA below 2.75 will be removed from the program following the probationary period.
2. SLED and FIB Fingerprint Clearance; 
3. TB Skin Test Clearance; 
4. Must earn proficient or higher on measures on the Professional Dispositions at the Initial Level
   a.  Candidates who score less than proficient on any measure of the Professional Dispositions at Initial Level must be placed on an Improvement Plan or removed from the program.
   b.  Candidates on an Improvement Plan must be re-evaluated within 3 months and earn proficient on all measures of the Professional Dispositions at Initial Level to continue to the next portal.  
5. Approval of appropriate portal committee.

Portal III. Admission to Internship

1. Minimum 3.00 GPA, with no grade below “C”;
2. Completion of all coursework with the exception of internship, internship seminar, and two graduate content area courses;
3. Satisfactory completion and performance in a minimum of 75 hours in all Field Experiences;
4. Satisfactory completion of required specialized professional association (SPA) assessments that take place in the Methods course;
5. Successful completion of first Teacher Work Sample, demonstrating student learning;
6. Successful completion of EPP lesson plan;
7. Submit Diversity Affirmation forms, and complete varied diverse field experiences, as required by the state;
8. Passing scores on all required state Praxis II content exams;
9. Satisfactory rating on the Assessment of Professional Dispositions at the Initial Level, with all Disposition Improvement Plans completed; and
10. Approval of appropriate portal committee.  

Portal IV. Program Completion 

1. Completion all coursework with minimum 3.00 GPA, with no grade below “C”;
2. Completion of 60 full-time days of internship, and 35 full-time teaching days;
3. Passing score on required Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam;
4. Summative evaluation ratings averaging proficient or higher on the performance dimensions of the South Carolina Teaching Standards Rubric;
5. Successful completion of second Teacher Work Sample, demonstrating student learning;
6. Satisfactory rating on the Summative Internship Evaluation, including the SPA addendum; 
7. Satisfactory completion of all required specialized professional association (SPA) assessments;
8. Summative evaluation ratings of 3, 4, or 5 on the Assessment of Teacher Candidate Professional Dispositions at the Initial Level;
9. Successful completion of Safe Schools Quiz;
10. Successful completion of EEDA Quiz;
11. Successful completion of Professional Conduct Quiz; and
12. Successful completion of Education Laws Quiz.