Master of Arts in Teaching
Early Childhood Education

The M.A.T. with emphasis in: Elementary, Secondary and Early Childhood Education.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) programs are designed for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree with content coursework appropriate to their teaching area and grade level and who are seeking a teaching certificate. M.A.T. programs have been awarded national recognition through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Other subject areas are in process of applying for national recognition. The M.A.T. programs are delivered two ways:

1. One-year intensive programs in elementary education or secondary education.
   
2. A distance program in elementary education for those in Alaska rural communities or others who desire this flexibility.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the Master's of Arts in Teaching program requires the following:

1. A completed graduate application and $60 processing fee
2. An official transcript indicating baccalaureate degree and a GPA of 3.0
3. Official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended. These will be used for assessment of applicant’s content preparation
4. Two recommendations addressing professional dispositions for the Elementary program on specific forms provided by the UAS School of Education. Secondary program requires one recommendation addressing professional dispositions and one knowledge of content
   
5. A writing sample consisting of two individual pieces: 1) a statement of professional objectives and 2) an impromptu writing sample
6. An official copy of Praxis I exam results
7. Signed waiver form to allow potential host teachers access to student application information
8. Student information sheet; form provided by School of Education
   
9. Applicants for the M.A.T. Elementary distance program must also submit documentation of successful work with children in an elementary or early childhood school setting along with a Memorandum of Agreement from the local school district administration; form provided by the School of Education
   
10. Applicants to the M.A.T. Secondary and M.A.T. Early Childhood Education must submit a resume

Praxis I and II Exams

To successfully graduate from the programs, interns must pass all three sections of the Praxis I exam at state approved levels. Passing CBEST or WEST-B scores in reading, writing, and mathematics may be submitted in lieu of passing Praxis I scores.

Prior to completing the M.A.T. program, prospective teachers must pass Praxis II content exams meeting Alaska cut scores. Elementary candidates take the Praxis II exam Elementary Content Knowledge 0014.

For Secondary students, the Praxis II exam(s) will be in the content area where endorsement is desired. See your advisor for information about which content area Praxis II tests are recognized by the State of Alaska.

To view details of the program, visit the School of Education Website.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2008-2009 CATALOG)

This program is offered by distance delivery methods to students in rural communities and others who desire the flexibility of a distance program. Students in this program must be self-directed learners, must have access to high speed Internet connections, and must schedule time during the school year to complete weekly intensive practicum assignments as well as a semester of student teaching in an elementary or middle school. The Early Childhood Education Certificate program is embedded in the Master of Arts in Teaching program. For more information on the certification see the Professional Credential Programs section of this catalog. This program leads to a Masters’ degree as well as recommendation for an Alaska Initial Early Childhood Education (grades PreK-3) teaching certificate.

Applicants should consult with an advisor for individual program scheduling:

Minimum Credit Hours			40
Prerequisites			15
ED	S230	Intro to Educational Technology	3
ED	S242	Child and Family Ecology	3
Select one from the following (3 credits):
ECE	S245	Early Child Development	3
ECE	S245	Child Development	3
Select one from the following (3 credits):
ED	S308	Indigenous Culture in Our Schools	3
ED	S380	Multicultural Education	3
Select one from the following (3 credits):
ALST	S300	Alaska Studies	3
HIST	S341	History of Alaska	3
Note: Ed S230 must be completed before registering for graduate-level coursework
Major Requirements			40
ED	S605	Early Childhood Education Principles & Practices	3
ED	S610	Guidance & Discipline in Early Childhood Education	3
ED	S651	Oral Language & Playful Literacy	3
ED	S661	Literacy and Young Children	3
ED	S662	Advanced Studies in Play and Child Development in Early Childhood Education	3
ED	S663	Integrated Constructivist Curriculum in Early Childhood Programs	3
ED	S664	Young Children & Classroom Management	3
ED	S688	Student Teaching	6
ED	S695	Certificate Portfolio Capstone	1
ED	S605	Early Childhood Special Education	3
Recommendation for certification will be granted upon successful completion of the above coursework and the prerequisite coursework. Students are encouraged to complete the remaining coursework required for the M.A.T. degree during their initial years as classroom teachers:
ED	S626	Classroom Research	3
ED	S628	Technology in Instructional Design or other 600-level Ed Tech course	3
ED	S698	Master's Research Project or Portfolio	3
Exit Criteria Includes:
A Master's Portfolio that provides evidence that the student meets all program goals/outcomes Praxis I exam scores meeting Alaska cut scores Praxis II exam scores meeting Alaska cut scores 3.0 GPA

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Alaska Southeast
School of Education
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Program Website: www.uas.alaska.edu/education

Admissions Contact
Delores Graver
Ph: 907-796-6424 or 866-465-6424
Email: delores.graver@uas.alaska.edu

M.A.T. Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator
Susan Andrews
Ph: 907-796-6412
Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6412 (toll free)
Email: smandrews2@uas.alaska.edu