Overview
Mount St. Mary’s Graduate Programs in Education have a reputation of educational excellence. Originally attracting working professionals from the regional area either seeking initial certification to teach or advanced training in specialized fields, the Education Department now attracts a rich blend of graduate students that includes recent graduates of undergraduate programs and international students. The unit strives to meet the needs of all graduate students by limiting class sizes and emphasizing the importance of close faculty-student relationships.
The unit supports academic excellence through curricula designed to help graduate students to (a) acquire the essential skills of analytical thought and self-expression, (b) gain and integrate knowledge in various disciplines, (c) acquire an understanding of other cultures, (d) develop an awareness of the various facets of moral and ethical problems, (e) achieve a high degree of personal fulfillment, and (f) improve skills in pursuing independent study of educational issues within school communities.
To complement these essential skills and dispositions, Master of Arts in Teaching candidates complete a sequence of professional courses to (a) gain general and specialized knowledge in one or more content areas, (b) gain knowledge about past and current theories of education, (c) develop a thorough knowledge of child growth and development, and (d) develop the appropriate pedagogical skills for effective classroom teaching. Master of Arts in Teaching programs include certification in Elementary Education, Elementary/Special Education, Art, Music, world languages (Spanish, French, German), English, mathematics, biology, social studies, and business.
Master of Education candidates complete a sequence of professional courses to prepare them as specialists in their field of study. These courses emphasize the importance of academic research and prepare graduates to be instructional leaders. Mount St. Mary’s offers Master of Education programs in Reading, Technology Facilitation, and Instructional Leadership, as well as certificates in Advanced Study in Reading with eligibility for certification though Maryland State Department of Education. and Technology Facilitation.
Statement of Purpose
Mount St. Mary’s University proudly prepares teachers for today and for tomorrow through its Master of Arts in Teaching programs for prospective teachers and Master of Education programs for currently certified teachers. The Division of Education recognizes the diversity of experiences brought to our programs by entering graduate students and complements those experiences by advancing the University tradition of liberal arts education in a Catholic setting. To this end, the department develops educators who are proficient in content and pedagogy, reflective, and ethical professionals dedicated to leadership in an increasingly diverse, technological, and global society.
Outcomes
Mount St. Mary’s develops educators who:
- Demonstrate the content and pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effect student learning (proficient).
- Examine learning to shape their practice (reflective).
- Demonstrate commitment to the diversity, dignity, equality, and rights of the individual (ethical).
- Demonstrate leadership as active participants in the education community (leading).
- Respond to the demands of an increasingly diverse technological and global society (adaptive).
All programs are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Completion of the program culminates in the earning of a Mount St. Mary’s degree, except the Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading and the Certificate in Technology Facilitation. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, Master of Arts in Teaching programs lead to certification to teach in Maryland and states with reciprocity agreements with the MSDE. The Master of Education with concentration in Reading leads to MSDE certification as a reading specialist. The Master of Education in Instructional Leadership leads to administrative certification.
Review of programs is the responsibility of the Education Department in concert with the Maryland State Department of Education, the Content Area Advisory Committee, and Professional Development School Advisory Council.
Transfer of Graduate Credits
Students may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate-level credit from another accredited institution, subject to approval by the chair or M.Ed. director.
- Transfer courses should be compatible with the graduate program curriculum.
- Students must have earned a grade of at least B in each course considered for transfer credit.
- Non-academic courses (seminars, workshops, symposiums, etc.) are not acceptable as graduate transfer credit.
- Grades earned in transferred courses are not calculated in the student’s grade point average.
How to Request Transfer Credit
- Request an application for transfer of credits from the Education Department Office. A form is available online at www.msmary.edu/mountgrad
- Request official transcripts from the institution(s) from which you earned the credits.
- Submit an official catalog course description and/or syllabus for course(s) you wish to be considered.
Degree Requirements
Students are responsible for ensuring that all of the following graduation requirements have been satisfied:
- Completion of all undergraduate prerequisites and a minimum of 36 graduate hours comprising required core courses, electives, and independent research
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
- Completion of course work within the five-year time limit.
Requests for time extensions must be submitted in writing and may be granted at the sole discretion of the chair (MAT)/M.Ed. director.
No foreign language or comprehensive examination is required.
Accreditation
All teacher education programs at the Mount are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
In 2014, Mount St. Mary’s University earned accreditation for all of its education programs through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The following programs are nationally accredited:
- Master of Education; Reading and Technology Facilitation
- Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading
- Master of Arts in Teaching; Elementary Education, Elementary/ Special Education, Art, Music, World Languages, English, mathematics, social studies, and business
M.Ed/MAT Tuition and Fees (2018-19 Academic Year)
M.Ed./MAT $530
Internship I Fee $245
Internship II Fee $305
Practicum Fee $110
Admission
Master of Education Admission Requirements
Individuals wishing to apply for admission into an M.Ed. program must hold a current, valid teaching certificate and should submit the following items:
- • Complete application; available online at www.msmary.edu/med
- • Undergraduate transcript(s) from an accredited four-year institution
- • Two letters of recommendation
- • Copy of current valid teaching certificate (not required for the Certificate in Technology Facilitation)
- • Copy of current valid teaching certificate for Instructional Leadership candidates.
For both Technology Facilitation and Reading Specialist concentrations, prospective students also participate in an admission interview.
Master of Arts in Teaching Admission Requirements
Individuals wishing to apply for admission into an MAT program must submit:
- Complete application; available online at www.msmary.edu/mat
- Official undergraduate transcript(s) from an accredited four-year institution
- Two letters of recommendation
- Praxis CORE (or other equivalent such as SAT, GRE, GMAT). In addition, secondary candidates majoring in Spanish, German, French, social studies, math, biology, or English must submit Maryland qualifying scores for Praxis II Content Knowledge.
- Admission portfolio
All prospective MAT candidates also participate in an admission interview.
*For world languages, writing sample and language proficiency interview are required.
When taking Praxis exams, please designate Mount St. Mary’s University (use college code 5421) as well as the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) (code R7403) as score recipients.
If the student plans to teach in a state other than Maryland, it is the student’s responsibility to research the specific certification requirements of that state.
If the student plans to teach in a state other than Maryland, it is the student’s responsibility to research the specific certification requirements of that state.
Application
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed for admission into the programs on an ongoing basis. Graduate students may begin their studies at the start of the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Applications are available from the Education Department or online at www.msmary.edu/med.
Application and supporting data should be directed to:
Graduate Programs in Education, School of Education and Human Services
Archbishop Borders Hall, Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Phone: 301-447-5371
Fax: 301-447-7405
Special Student Status
Special student status applies to students who have not satisfied all of the admission requirements as determined by the program director. Students with special student status may earn up to nine graduate credits while working toward satisfaction of the admission criteria.
Students who have not met the undergraduate GPA requirement of 2.75 may be considered for admission if they have successfully met all other admission criteria and obtain at least a grade of B in each of the nine graduate credits taken as a special student at Mount St. Mary’s University and be found worthy of admission by the Graduate Committee.
Non-Degree Student Status
Individuals who are not seeking a degree or certification but who wish to enroll in graduate courses may enroll in any courses except a teacher internship or Research Thesis. Non-degree students may change their status to M.Ed. or MAT by following the application procedure described in the Admission Requirements section of this catalog.
Transcript Analysis
Official transcripts are reviewed by the program director to determine if the applicant has fulfilled the Maryland State Department of Education requirements for undergraduate preparation. The university reserves the right to require additional coursework from applicants who may need to strengthen their knowledge in content areas based upon the transcript analysis. The program director provides written documentation of the transcript analysis to the student. The transcript analysis is retained by the Education Department in the student’s permanent file.
Undergraduate Coursework
Students seeking an MAT may need to enroll in a number of undergraduate courses based on the analysis of their undergraduate transcripts. Students may take the necessary undergraduate courses at Mount St. Mary’s University or any other accredited two or four-year college. Students are advised to seek course approval from the program director prior to enrolling in undergraduate courses to ensure that the courses will be counted toward certification. A photocopy of the course description and a brief letter requesting approval should be submitted to the program director. Based on a review of the course description, the program director will notify the student in writing of the decision regarding approval. If the course is taken at another institution, a transcript of the final course grade must be sent to the program director promptly so that the grade can be recorded on the student’s Education Curriculum Worksheet.
The Graduate Committee
The Graduate Committee consists of the program director and two full-time education professors who have taught or are currently teaching in the graduate program. The committee is responsible for reviewing prospective students’ applications for special student enrollment and admission into the program as well as for advancement to candidacy. The Graduate Committee reserves the right to deny admission to any candidate it feels would not represent the university well in his/her field experiences. Reasons for admission denials include, but are not limited to, incorrect use of the English language, unprofessional attitude, and failure to achieve the requisite basic skills assessment scores and/or GPA.
Overview of Study Options
The MAT Degree with Initial Certification in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
This program is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree (in any field of study) and who seek to become an elementary teacher grades 1-6. The course of study, customized for each individual on the basis of his/her academic background and professional experience, leads to a graduate degree and an initial Maryland elementary grades teaching certificate.
The MAT Degree with Initial Certification in Elementary/Special Education
This program is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree (in any field of study) and who seek initial certification in elementary education (grades 1-6) and generic special education (grades 1-8) as well as a graduate degree. The course of study is customized for each individual on the basis of his/her academic background and professional experience.
The MAT with Initial Certification in Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)
This program is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree and who seek a teaching certificate at the secondary level. Study programs are customized for each individual based on his/ her academic background and professional experience and are offered in selected content areas. These content areas include: business education, English, mathematics, biology, and social studies.
The MAT with Initial Certification in Art Education (Grades P-12)
This program is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree in the fine arts and who seek a teaching certificate in art (grades P-12). Study programs are customized for each individual based on his/her academic background and professional experience.
The MAT with Initial Certification in Music Education (Grades P-12)
This program is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree in the fine arts and who seek a teaching certificate in music (grades P-12). Study programs are customized for each individual based on his/her academic background and professional experience.
The MAT with Initial Certification in World Languages (Grades P-12)
This program is designed for those who hold a baccalaureate degree who seek a teaching certificate in world languages (grades P-12). Study programs are customized for each individual based on his/ her academic background and professional experience.
The M.Ed. Degree with a Concentration in Reading
These programs are designed for certified teachers who seek a graduate degree in education with certification in reading specialist K-12.
The M.Ed. Degree with a Concentration in Technology Facilitation
These programs are designed for certified teachers who seek a graduate degree in education.
The M.Ed. Degree in Instructional Leadership
This program is designed for education professionals who are seeking administrative certification in order to pursue leadership roles in their school system.
Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading
This program is designed for certified teachers holding a master’s degree and seeking a program leading to certification in reading specialist K-12.
Certificate in Technology Facilitation
This program is designed for professionals who hold a baccalaureate degree in any field seeking a program to enhance skills in technology facilitation in the classroom or workplace.
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