Elementary Education, M.A.T.

Tracey Hunter-Doniger, Interim Program Director
hunterdonigertl@cofc.edu
843.953.8075

http://teachered.cofc.edu/grad-progs/edel.php

Mission Statement

The primary mission of the M.A.T. in Elementary Education Program is to prepare students to be certified for licensure in the state of South Carolina to teach in grades 2-6.

Program Description

The M.A.T. in Elementary Education, an NCATE accredited program that focuses on the education of second through sixth-graders, is designed for those who want to teach elementary school children and have undergraduate degrees in non-education disciplines. The program combines academic work and a variety of experiences in public elementary schools. Successful completion of the M.A.T. program requirements leads to recommendation for teaching certification/licensure in grades second through sixth in South Carolina, in addition to a master’s degree. The State of South Carolina has reciprocal licensure agreements with many State Departments of Education across the United States.

Admissions Requirements

Institutional Requirements

• A completed application form with a nonrefundable application fee of $50.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.

Program Requirements

• Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better. GPA requirement may be waived by the program director with consent of the program admission committee.
• Official Praxis Core Score that reflects a passing grade
• A statement of purpose describing why the candidate seeks to pursue the M.A.T. program and a career in teaching.
• Professional résumé.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with academic and/or work experience. Letters should indicate evidence of potential for graduate studies and working with children. Preferably, one of the letters should be from someone who has observed the candidate working with children.  
• Statement of ability to perform essential teaching duties under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if applicant’s primary language is not English..

Application Deadlines

• Fall: March 1, Priority; July 1, Final
• Spring: November 1
• Summer: March 1

Transfer Credit Policy

Applicants to the M.A.T. in Elementary Education program may seek approval from the program director to accept up to six transfer credit hours. These courses must have been taken from an accredited institution and have a grade of B or higher. Courses transferred into the program may count toward any core course in the Elementary Education program.

Students may take a course at another institution after being accepted to a master’s program and that course can count towards the student’s degree requirements, but the student must make the request one semester in advance and meet with his/her faculty advisor for approval. Once the advisor approves, the request will be forwarded to the program director for final approval. Grades of B and higher will be accepted. No pass/satisfactory grades or field hours will be accepted.

Program Requirements

• Elementary Education, M.A.T.   

Student Learning Outcomes

• Elementary Education M.A.T. (PDF)