M.A. in Secondary Teaching

This course provides additional support, as needed, for students to successfully complete the first benchmark in the Secondary MAT/T2T. The assessment is the development and implementation of a lesson plan. Students must pass the benchmark to continue in the licensure track.

This course provides additional support, as needed, for students to successfully complete the second benchmark in the Secondary MAT/T2T program. The assessment is a professional interview which is submitted as a video recording in response to a series of questions focused on professionalism and ethics for classroom teachers. Students must pass the benchmark to continue in the licensure track.

This course provides teachers methods for providing language and content instruction to second language learners. Students consider historical and current English as a second language (ESL) program models and second language acquisition theories, pedagogy, and methodology. Relevant federal, state, and local learning and assessment standards are reviewed and applied to their teaching. Students are guided in creating and presenting teaching units and lessons based on various methods, approaches, and techniques. Students discuss the selection, use, and evaluation of books, multimedia, technology, and other materials. Students examine the application of relevant learning and assessment standards to their teaching of second language learners.

Embracing the value of assessment and evaluation is the first step in improving learner outcomes through data-driven decision-making. This course develops relevant competencies and promotes a healthy balance of utilizing formative and summative assessments, evaluation practices, and data to inform and guide integrated curriculum development and instructional delivery. Assessments can provide facilitators with the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of learners in a variety of school and organizational settings.

Grounded in current research and best practices, the course emphasizes building strong teacher-student relationships, embedding social-emotional learning (SEL) into instruction, and applying trauma-informed approaches. Participants will critically examine their practices and school contexts to identify strengths and gaps in supporting student safety, mental health, and belonging. Through interactive discussions, case analyses, and applied projects, educators will develop culturally responsive strategies to foster trust, respect, and accountability in their classrooms.

This orientation to secondary teaching provides students a rich perspective on adolescent development, observational strategies and skills, and professionalism and ethics in education. Students increase their understanding and awareness of teacher roles and responsibilities in relation to school climate and culture, certification and evaluation requirements, and educational laws and policy. The course also introduces students to the tools and technologies they will need to successfully complete field experiences integrated throughout their coursework and the student teaching experience. The course includes 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply theory, pedagogy, and best practices in education to understanding the role of the secondary teacher. In this course, students participate in a 15-week 400 hour (full time) practicum designed to provide the knowledge and experience necessary for teaching in the secondary classroom. Through an application-based learning environment, students will apply the skills they have learned throughout their previous coursework and experience firsthand the issues facing schools and classrooms. Topics include educational foundations, philosophy of education, exceptional needs, classroom management, cultural competencies, as well as lesson planning, implementation and assessment. Pre-requisite(s); Completion of all T2T/MAT content courses; maintenance of 3.0 grade point average across all T2T/MAT courses.

The capstone experience provides an opportunity for students in the M.A.T. in Secondary Education program to demonstrate and document the impact of the knowledge and competencies gained throughout and as a result of the program. In the capstone experience, students select artifacts produced along with or as a result of course application assignments. These artifacts serve as the centerpiece of a culminating project that demonstrates competency in teaching.

This course provides students with an opportunity to study, reflect on, and develop their skills in instructional methods while applying and practicing these methods in secondary classrooms. Major topics include characteristics of effective, intentional teaching; understanding student backgrounds and the ways in which teacher awareness of students impacts learning; instructional planning; the creation of effective lessons using a variety of approaches and technologies; classroom management; Response to Intervention (RTI); multiple forms of assessment, and the use of data-based decision-making to improve instruction. The course includes 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

This course focuses on how to teach content effectively in today’s secondary schools. Emphasis is on an understanding of content-specific methodologies, various learning theories, learning styles, multiple intelligences, and other research-based content delivery strategies to engage students and be effective in teaching adolescent learners. In addition, this course demonstrates how to use effective unit and lesson plan design that incorporates state and/or national standards, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, assessment techniques, and data-based decision making to improve teaching and learning. The course includes 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

Students explore the needs and concerns of developing adolescents when part of a caring, respectful, and equitable classroom. This course prepares students to explore adolescent learning and development in terms of prior knowledge, interests, and experiences in and out of school and relationships formed with teachers and peers. The course includes 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

This course prepares students to implement a school-wide leadership initiative to improve a comprehensive range of literacy skills. Specific principles and theories of reading instruction are evaluated in relation to currently employed practice so teachers can immediately strengthen instruction. Students examine the scientific research base underlying different models of reading instruction. Special attention is given to curriculum mapping, alignment, and the development of an implementation plan to strengthen literacy.

This course provides knowledge and skill in understanding the language and literacy process as it applies to teaching in content areas of secondary schools. Focusing on the integration of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, students examine principles of best practice for integrated content-area reading instruction. The course includes 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

Student traits impact learning, the environment, and classroom behavior. This course examines the legal definitions, characteristics, prevalence, and educational adaptations for each primary category of exceptionality. Emphasis is placed on the accommodation and selective modification of curricula, materials, and procedures to meet the needs of learners.

This course examines the impact of technology on learning as well as how today’s student navigates the digital environment. Topics include the human-computer interface, artificial intelligence, technology and the brain, diffusion of innovations, and connectivity through social media. The course considers trends and issues in educational technologies as well as research into the effects of technology on students and society.