Middle Grades Education, M.A.T.

William Veal, Program Director
vealw@cofc.edu
843.953.8045

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

Mission Statement

The mission of the Middle Grades, M.A.T. program in the Department of Teacher Education at the College of Charleston is to develop reflective practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to help adolescent learners succeed. The program develops collaborative, reflective practitioners that understand the unique needs of adolescent learners through high quality formal and informal instructional settings. The Middle Grades program prepares adolescent practitioners to develop effective teaching methods and learning environments, reflect on instruction, and make a positive impact on student learning.

Program Description

The Graduate School of the University of Charleston, South Carolina and The Citadel Graduate College offer a joint Master of Arts in Teaching the Middle Grades. The M.A.T. in Middle Grades Education focuses on the education of fifth through eighth graders and is designed for those who want to teach middle grade students and have an undergraduate degree(s) in any of the following disciplines: English, mathematics, history/social science, biology, chemistry, geology, or physics. The program combines academic work and a variety of experiences in public middle schools. Successful completion of the M.A.T. program requirements leads to recommendation for teaching certification/licensure in grades five through eight 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.

Admission 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.
• International applicants should refer to the International Students area within the “Admissions Information”  section of the catalog for information on providing appropriate documentation with the application.

Program Requirements

Admission to the program will be granted based on a review of each applicant’s admission materials by a Joint Program Committee. The application packet must be fully completed in order to be considered for admission into the program. Each application should include the following:

• A 2.500 (on a 4.000 scale) grade point average (GPA) from their degree-granting institution(s).
• A statement of purpose describing why the candidate seeks to pursue the M.A.T. program and a career in teaching.
• 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. One letter should be from someone who has observed the candidate working with children.
• Professional résumé.
• Self-assessment of dispositions.
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, or, official Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Expectations for the GRE are a minimum composite score of 290 and 4.0 analytical writing. MAT score should be no less than 396.
• Results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if applicant’s primary language is not English.
• A signed statement of ability to perform essential teaching duties under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Application Deadlines

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

Transfer Credit Policy

No program specific guidelines. Please refer to the Graduate School’s transfer credit policy .

Program Requirements

• Middle Grades Education, M.A.T.  

Student Learning Outcomes

• Middle Grades Education M.A.T. (PDF)