Middle Childhood Education (M.A.T.)
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle Childhood Education leads to a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) teacher certification in grades 5-9. Students will gain extensive classroom and clinical experience to develop the content, skills, and dispositions needed to successfully work in middle-level classrooms. Candidates who successfully complete all program requirements will earn an undergraduate degree. Candidates must also pass the required Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in order to be recommended for certification.
Degree Requirements (General M.A.T.)
The M.A.T program is offered as a master’s Plan B or C and requires a minimum of thirty credits. Total credit requirements vary based on the applicant’s background in his/her teaching field at the undergraduate level and specialized requirements.
All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the College of Education and the Graduate School's regulations governing graduate scholarship and degrees. Requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree must be completed within six years after completion of the first course to be applied to the degree.
Course work is distributed among two areas: Admission requirement courses and program courses. Candidates may earn the MAT degree but will not be eligible for state certification until all Michigan Department of Education requirements are met (e.g, passing MTTC scores).
Course changes may occur through periodic curriculum revisions, and students are encouraged to consult their assigned advisor prior to each registration period to ensure that all requirements are met.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate degree from an accredited higher education institution with a 2.75 cumulative GPA. The following WSU courses or equivalence from another institution are required prior to program admission.
Middle Childhood Education Admissions Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose One Technology Course | 3 | |
| Technology Integration in Teaching | ||
| Technology Integration in Teaching | ||
| Choose One Foundations I Course | 3 | |
| Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | ||
| Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | ||
| Choose One Foundations II Course | 2 | |
| Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | ||
| Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity and Schooling | ||
| Choose One Foundations III Course | 2 | |
| Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | ||
| Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | ||
| Common Content Courses | ||
| MAT 1800 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
| Choose Block A or Block B | ||
| Block A: Mathematics 5-9 | ||
| MAE 5130 | Problem Solving for Middle School Teachers (5-9) | 3 |
| MAE 5140 | Proportional and Algebraic Reasoning for Middle Grades Teachers (5-9) | 3 |
| MAT 2010 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 2860 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 5040 | Elementary Abstract Algebra | 4 |
| STA 1020 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Choose One | 3 | |
| Geometry for Middle School Teachers | ||
| Geometry for Middle School Teachers | ||
| Mathematics 5-9 Admissions Total Credit Hours | 37 | |
| OR | ||
| Block B: Science 5-9 | ||
| AST 2010 | Descriptive Astronomy | 4 |
| AST 2011 | Descriptive Astronomy Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 1500 | Basic Life Diversity | 3 |
| BIO 1501 | Basic Life Diversity Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 1510 | Basic Life Mechanisms | 3 |
| BIO 1511 | Basic Life Mechanisms Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 1100 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHM 1130 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 1140 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHM 1150 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| ESG 1010 | Geology: The Science of the Earth | 3 |
| ESG 1011 | Geology: The Science of the Earth Laboratory | 1 |
| ESG 1370 | Meteorology: The Study of Weather | 3 |
| MAT 1070 | College Algebra | 5 |
| MAT 6150 | Probability and Statistics for Teachers | 4 |
| PHY 2130 | Physics for the Life Sciences I | 4 |
| PHY 2131 | Physics for the Life Sciences Experimental Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2140 | Physics for the Life Sciences II | 4 |
| PHY 2141 | Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| Choose One BIO Course | 3-5 | |
| Introduction to Cell Biology | ||
| Evolution: Basic Concepts and Applications | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Ecology and the Environment | ||
| Science 5-9 Admissions Total Credit Hours | 66-68 | |
Mathematics Education 5-9 Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDP 5480 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| MAE 5150 & TED 6620 | Methods and Materials of Instruction: Secondary School Mathematics and Middle and Secondary Education Clinical Methods I | 5 |
| MAE 6050 & TED 6670 | Teaching Mathematics Methods in the Middle Grades and Middle and Secondary Education Clinical Methods II | 6 |
| MAE 6075 | Historical and Social Contexts of Teaching Mathematics (5-12) | 3 |
| RLL 6121 | Teaching Literacies across the Content Areas | 3 |
| TED 6765 | MAT Middle and Secondary Education Student Teaching | 8 |
| TED 7999 | Master's Seminar and Essay or Project | 3 |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
Science Education 5-9 Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDP 5480 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| RLL 6121 | Teaching Literacies across the Content Areas | 3 |
| SCE 5060 & TED 6620 | Methods and Materials of Instruction in Secondary School Science I and Middle and Secondary Education Clinical Methods I | 5 |
| SCE 5070 & TED 6670 | Methods and Materials of Instruction in Secondary School Science II and Middle and Secondary Education Clinical Methods II | 6 |
| SCE 6010 | Safety in the Science Classroom | 2 |
| TED 5600 | Assessment for Middle and Secondary Education | 3 |
| TED 6765 & TED 6710 | MAT Middle and Secondary Education Student Teaching and Middle and Secondary Education Student Teaching Seminar | 11 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |