Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed to provide a future teacher with the content and methods necessary to be an effective teacher. Thematic strands such as critical thinking, curriculum, classroom management, cultural proficiency, action research, and technology are integrated throughout the curriculum. The themes add qualities to the program that are not reflected in single courses but are interwoven throughout the curriculum. The form of the teacher education program includes a purposeful use of current research findings on the education of teachers as translated into practical experiences and methodologies.

The Master of Arts in Teaching program may be completed in one of three ways:

1. Face-to-Face Evenings and Saturdays (January,June, and August Starts)
2. Virtual Evenings and Saturdays (January, June, and August Starts)

The program is available to individuals who have completed an undergraduate BA or BS degree in a field other than education.

Educational 

To enable students to:

• Demonstrate a deepened understanding of subject matter as they apply pedagogical skills to meet the diverse needs of learners and reflect on their practice
• Gain knowledge about the psychological, sociological, historical, and philosophical foundations of education to provide an inclusive educational experience for all students
• Apply knowledge of development, teaching, and learning across grade levels through effective planning, instruction, and assessment
• Successfully meet the challenges of classroom teaching by supporting students emotionally, socially, and academically
• Demonstrate professional dispositions and reflective practices that uphold ethical care for students and families, exemplifying the compassion and character of Christ

Professional 

To enable students to:

• Meet the federal and state government's guidelines
• Receive an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License upon completion of the core and passing scores on the appropriate standardized measures (NES/Practice Content Specific Examination for single subject licensure, ORELA/Praxis for multiple subjects authorization, Protecting Students and Civil Rights modules exam and the State Assessment).

The Preliminary Teaching License may bear endorsements in the following areas: advanced mathematics, art, basic mathematics,* biology, chemistry, drama, health education, integrated science, language arts, music, physical education, physics, social studies, and *Spanish.

* These subjects may be added to another endorsement for high school applicants; integrated science and basic math may stand alone for elementary/middle school applicants.  

Applicants seeking admission to the MAT program must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of coursework. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

• Master of arts in teaching application and application fee
• Submit one official transcript from each college/university attended
• Completion of the character reference statement required by Oregon TSPC
• Two recommendations
• An interview with the MAT Admission Committee

If accepted into the program, a $200 enrollment deposit is required. Deadline for application is February 1 for the Summer start, June 1 for the Fall start, and October 1 for Spring start. Applications may be reviewed after those dates on a space-available basis. Preference will be given to those candidates who have had experience in schools working with students in their desired authorization level as well as to those candidates who have passed the appropriate ORELA exam.

Prior to full-time student teaching, students must have taken and passed the appropriate ORELA exam.  If a student has not completed this requirement, she/he may apply for an exception; however, if an exception is granted and the student does not pass the required exams prior to graduation, the director will not sign any official documents recommending the student as a candidate for licensure in Oregon or any other state.

Transfer credit is allowed at the discretion of the MAT director. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

All 36 hours must be taken in resident study at George Fox University. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

The Master of Arts in Teaching program is generally 1-2 years in length with 36 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation.

The program structure will be characterized by:

Cohort Model
Students will work in cohorts of 15 to 20 students. Cohorts will include elementary and secondary levels. Cohorts are both blended and authorization-specific. Although they are separate cohorts, they will be blended together for certain experiences and courses.

Theory-Into-Practice Links
Practicum experiences will be a large component of the program. The involvement in a full semester practicum experience will provide preservice teachers with opportunities to apply learning from coursework. University faculty, cooperating teachers, and administrators from local districts will be involved in collaborative efforts to plan links between coursework and application in classrooms.  All practicum criteria must be met at the conclusion of the practicum or an additional practicum will be required.

Action Research
A professional educator portfolio will be completed to support students in licensing and professional educator requirements.

Thematic Strands
Major strands, such as cultural proficiency, differentiation, assessment, action research, and decision making, will be incorporated throughout the professional courses. Other topics such as classroom management and technology will also be integrated with several of the professional courses.

Study of the Subject Matter Knowledge and Structure
Students will research and discuss the nature and structure of the subject areas while concentrating on their major subject. They will engage in interdisciplinary discussions that will allow them to discern relationships between the subject areas.

Reflection
The ability to reflect on learning about teaching and on the practice of teaching will be developed in small- and large-group discussions, in journal entries, in papers, and in conferences with supervisors and cooperating teachers.

In order to graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree students must:

• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
• Achieve no grade lower than a B in all core courses. If a grade of a B- or lower is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken (for more specific information, please refer to the student handbook).
• Pass appropriate exams to be recommended for licensure