The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed for the student with no previous background or preparation in education who wishes to acquire teaching certification in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education, or English for speakers of other languages. 

Admission to the Program

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record General Examination. To be admitted students must earn a passing score on the PRAXIS I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) as set by the District of Columbia. 

For secondary education certification, students must have a bachelor’s degree or 33 credit hours in the subject area they are seeking licensure, such as art, biology, chemistry, dance, drama, English, French,  German, health, mathematics, music, Physical education, physics, social studies, Spanish, or theatre. 

Students seeking certification in English for speakers of other languages must be proficient in English. It is strongly recommended that native speakers of English have some background in at least one other language. International students are expected to demonstrate competence equivalent to a score of 600 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in order to be endorsed for certification. 

Degree Requirements

• 39 credit hours of approved graduate work, including 33 hours of course work and 6 hours of student teaching with required seminar. 

Students’ undergraduate transcripts will be evaluated individually; based on this evaluation, students may be required to take additional course work to meet certification requirements. 

Option to waive course work: Students with the appropriate prior study or professional experience in the field of education may be permitted to waive up to 6 credit hours of course work without replacement. The waiving of credit hours and the specific courses to be waived are determined and approved by the advisor and the SETH dean upon admission to a master’s program. In addition, one of the following may be required: an assessment provided by an educational institution or organization which has criteria and evaluation procedures approved by the School of Education, Teaching and Health; or a portfolio developed in a one-credit independent study offered by SETH and submitted for evaluation and approval to the advisor and SETH dean. 

• Comprehensive examination 
• Students submit an electronic professional portfolio 
• Completion of the Praxis II Exam prior to graduation 

Course Requirements

All course work must be approved by the director of the M.A.T. program. Evaluation of field performance may involve videotaping of classroom teaching. 

Core (9 credit hours)

• EDU-521 Foundations of Education (3) 
• EDU-541 Foundations of Special Education for     Exceptional Children (3) 

or 

EDU-545 Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education (3) 

• EDU-620 Theories of Educational Psychology and     Human Development (3) 

or 

EDU-618 Human Growth and Development across the Life Span (3) 

Student Teaching (6 credit hours)

• EDU-699 Student Teaching with required seminar (6) 

Early Childhood Education (24 credit hours)

• EDU-609 Effective Teaching for Diverse Learners (3) 
• EDU-619 Children’s Literature: Multicultural and      International Approaches (3) 
• EDU-621 Topics in Social Science Research (1) (three topics for a total of 3 credits) 
• EDU-623 Topics in Literacy Education (3): Literacy, Technology, Media, and the Arts in Early Childhood Education 
• EDU-623 Topics in Literacy Education (3): Theoretical Models and Methods for Early Childhood Education across the Curriculum 
• EDU-625 Advocacy and Leadership in Early Childhood       Education (3) 
• 6 credit hours from the following: 

ANTH-635 Race, Gender and Social Justice (3) 

EDU-628 Topics in Early Childhood Education (3): Play  and Learning 

EDU-647 Global and Multicultural Education (3) 

SOCY-553 Multiculturalism (3) 

TESL-527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom (3) 

Elementary Education (24 credit hours)

• EDU-519 Uses of Technology in Education (3) 
• EDU-601 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3) 
• EDU-602 Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary     School (3) 
• EDU-603 Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary      School (3) 
• EDU-604 Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3) 
• EDU-608 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary     School (3) 
• EDU-609 Effective Teaching for Diverse Learners (3) 
• EDU-619 Children’s Literature: Multicultural and     International Approaches (3) 

Secondary Education (24 credit hours)

• EDU-520 Reading, Writing, and Literature across the     Curriculum (3) 
• EDU-522 Principles of Effective Methods and Instruction (3) 
• EDU-540 Methods and Materials in Secondary Education (3) (or other approved methods courses) 
• EDU-662 Classroom Management (3) 
• Four elective courses (12 credit hours), normally with half taken in the academic discipline of the designated teaching area, and the other courses taken within the School of Education, Teaching and Health. 

English for Speakers of Other Languages  (24 credit hours)

• TESL-500 Principles of Linguistics (3) 
• TESL-501 English Language Teaching I (3) 
• TESL-502 English Language Teaching II (3) 
• TESL-503 Structure of English (3) 
• TESL-523 Second Language Acquisition (3) 
• TESL-524 Reading and Writing in the ESL/EFL     Classroom (3) 
• TESL-527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom (3) 
• TESL-531 Language Assessment (3) 

Ongoing Assessment of Academic and Professional Performance

Students must be admitted to the M.A.T. program before enrolling in methods courses (EDU-601–609, EDU-522/ EDU-540, or TESL-501/502). To enroll in EDU-699 Student Teaching, students must receive a positive evaluation from the Teacher Education Committee based on established criteria, a grade of B- or better in EDU-521 Foundations of Education and EDU-620 Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development, and grades of B or better in methods courses. Students must also earn a passing score (as set by the District of Columbia teacher licensing agency) on the PRAXIS I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST). 

Combined Bachelor’s Degree and Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs. Undergraduate students may complete up to 3 credits for every 9 credits required for the graduate degree that may be applied to the requirements for both degree programs.  The department that oversees the graduate program the student enters will determine if the courses the undergraduate student completes will satisfy master’s degree requirements. Bachelor’s/master’s students must complete at least 18 in-residence credit hours at the graduate level after the bachelor’s degree is earned and  maintain continuous, sequential enrollment in the two programs. 

This program enables highly qualified students to earn both a B.A. or a B.S. in a related discipline and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.). 

Requirements

• Students should apply to the master’s program in the second semester of their junior year. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher in major and minor courses and must satisfactorily complete the following: 

EDU-521 Foundations of Education (3) 

EDU-541 Foundations of Special Education for  Exceptional Children (3) 

or 

EDU-545 Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education (3) 

• All requirements for the B.A. or B.S. in the student’s major 

Undergraduate students may apply up to 9 credit hours from approved graduate-level courses, including EDU-502, and EDU-541 or EDU-545 to satisfy the requirements of both degrees. 

• All requirements for the M.A.T., including a minimum of 18 credit hours completed in residence in graduate status after the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.  

Mater of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) and M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution

Graduates receive an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from the School of International Service and the M.A.T. in secondary education from the School of Education, Teaching and Health. 

Admission to the Program

Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least a B+ (3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale) and should have had at least 24 credit hours of social science course work relevant to international studies. Students who do not meet these minimum requirements, if otherwise admissible, are assigned additional course work specified at the time of admission. 

Students must apply to both the School of International Service (SIS) and the School of Education, Teaching and Health (SETH) in the College of Arts and Sciences. Admission to either of the participating teaching units in no way implies admission to the other unit. For more information on admissions requirements, contact the SIS Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-1646 or the SETH Teacher Education Office at 202-885-3720. 

All applicants are required to submit results of the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). International applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum TOEFL score for full consideration is 600. All applicants must submit two letters of reference evaluating undergraduate academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs and education. 

For secondary education certification, students must have a bachelor’s degree or 33 credit hours in the subject area they are seeking licensure. It is anticipated that students who complete the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution will have sufficient background to meet certification requirements in social studies. However, students who meet requirements for other subject areas will also be considered. Students will be notified at the time of admission concerning additional course work required for state certification. 

Degree Requirements

• 57 credit hours of approved graduate course work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 

Students must complete the 9 credit hours in the education core courses, 12 credit hours in secondary education, 6 credit hours of student teaching, and at least 12 of the 15 credit hours in peace and conflict resolution to receive the M.A.T. 

Students must complete 15 credit hours in peace and conflict resolution, 3 credit hours in economics, 6 credit hours in methodology, 6 credit hours in research and writing, and the 9 credit hours in the education core to receive the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. 

In addition to intensive course work and student teaching placements, students are also required to participate in an educational internship program. These field placements are carefully supervised and coordinated to meet state certification requirements. 

• Proficiency in a modern foreign language 
• Comprehensive examination in international peace and   conflict resolution  
• Comprehensive examination for M.A.T. 

Course Requirements

Education Core (9 credit hours)

• EDU-521 Foundations of Education (3) 
• EDU-541 Foundations of Special Education for       Exceptional Children (3) or  

EDU-545 Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education (3) 

• EDU-620 Theories of Educational Psychology and       Human Development (3) 

Secondary Education Track (12 credit hours)

• EDU-520 Reading, Writing, and Literature across the       Curriculum (3) 
• EDU-522 Principles of Effective Methods and       Instruction (3) 
• EDU-540 Methods and Materials in Secondary Education (3) (or other approved methods courses) 
• EDU-662 Classroom Management (3) 

Student Teaching (6 credit hours)

• EDU-699 Student Teaching (6) 

Peace and Conflict Resolution (15 credit hours)

• SIS-605 Theory of Cooperative Global Politics (3) 
• SIS-607 Peace Paradigms (3) 
• SIS-609 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory     and Practice (3) 
• SIS-610 Theory of Conflict, Violence and War (3) 
• SIS-611 International Negotiation (3) 

Economics (3 credit hours)

• ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3) 

Methodology (6 credit hours)

• SIS-600 Quantitative Analysis in International Affairs (3) 
• SIS-612 Research Seminar in Peace and Conflict       Resolution (3) or 

other approved methods course 

Research and Writing Requirement (6 credit hours)

• SIS-691 Internship (3) 
• SIS-795 Master’s Research Requirement (3) (substantial       research paper (SRP)