Elementary Education M.A.T.
For information about the MAT program, contact:
Martha Horn Ed.D. Coordinator, Master of Arts in Teaching
mhorn@ric.edu
Bethzalie Carpio-Sanchez ’22
Rhode Island College’s MAT in Elementary Education program allows you to earn a master’s degree with eligibility for certification in one year. The program is rooted in the values of equity, diversity, advocacy and is aligned with the social justice mission of the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development. Through reading, discussing, writing, thinking…, prospective teachers learn about, and begin to develop their own theories and practices, guided and informed by RIC teacher educators in partnership with teachers and children in classrooms. Our greatest strength is the diverse perspectives that our MAT applicants bring to this program. They weave their lives lived and visions for what is possible as they evolve and develop into thoughtful, forward-thinking educators who will lead our future: our children.
M.A.T. Program Information
Program Details
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Earn a Masters degree in one year
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Flexible options to finish in under 2 years
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Qualified to apply for RI Certification for Elementary Grades 1-6
Admission Requirements
- Completed on-line application
- statement of philosophy
- Official Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records which reflect attainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all college level courses culminating in a BS/BA degree
- Transcripts must reflect 60 liberal arts prerequisite credits, including 1 lab sciences, 2 maths, 1 arts, and 1 US History
- two recommendation letters accompanied by two completed disposition forms
- current resume
- $50.00 application fee
Program Requirements
- The MAT degree must be completed within 5 years (see Graduate Handbook)
- To receive a degree student must maintain a grade of B or higher in all coursework and receive an average of 3 on all FSEHD dispositions
- Fulfillment of State Certification Requirements is the responsibility of the graduate student (see Graduate Handbook)
Required Courses:
Foundational Courses:
Your program begins with three foundational courses which are prerequisites for all other Elementary Education courses:
- FNED 546: Contexts of Schooling
- CEP 552: Psychological Perspectives of Teaching and Learning
- ELED 500: Learning and Teaching Seminar I
You may take them as an accepted MAT student or as a non-matriculating student in the process of applying to the program.
Content / Practica Courses:
- SPED 531: Overview of Special Education: Policies and Practices
- TESL 401: Introduction to Teaching Emergent Bilinguals
- ELED 522: Mat Teaching Reading Practicum
- ELED 527: MAT Teaching Writing Practicum
- ELED 528: MAT Teaching Social Studies Practicum
- ELED 537: MAT Teaching Science Practicum
- ELED 538: MAT Teaching Mathematics Practicum
- *TESL 402: Application of Second Language Acquisition
- *SPED 533: Special Education: Practical Applications } *choose one
Student Teaching Courses
- ELED 554: MAT Learning and Teaching Seminar II
- ELED 559: Student Teaching in the Elementary School
- ELED 569: Learning and Teaching Seminar III
Total credits: 45
Sample Plan of Study
1 year intensive Spring/Summer Start
| Summer I & II | Fall | Early Spring | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELED 500 | ELED 522 | ELED 554 | ELED 659 |
| CEP 552 | ELED 527 | ELED 569 | |
| SPED 531 | ELED 537 | ||
| ELED 528 | ELED 538 | ||
| FNED 546 | *TESL 402 or SPED 533 (Choose one) | ||
| TESL 401 |
2-year Option
Year 1:
| Fall | Spring | Summer I & II |
|---|---|---|
| FNED 546 | ELED 500 | SPED 531 TESL 401 |
| CEP 552 | ELED 528 |
Year 2:
| Fall | Early Spring | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| ELED 522 | ELED 554 | ELED 559 |
| ELED 527 | ELED 569 | |
| ELED 537 | ||
| ELED 538 | *TESL 402/SPED 533 (*choose 1) |
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MAT program will:
- Demonstrate proficiency of the essential concepts in the core academic disciplines they will teach as they prepare, implement, assess and reflect on their own teaching and learning, and on student learning / growth;
- Design and implement effective instructional practices in the core elementary education disciplines: Writing, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies;
- Design and implement academic and behavioral support and interventions that meet the needs of all learners, including multi-lingual learners and students with special needs;
- Select and utilize formal and informal assessment strategies with individuals and groups of students to determine the impact of instructional learning to provide feedback and to plan for future instruction;
- Make informed decisions about, and integrate appropriate uses of technology in their practice to improve learning;
- Develop and demonstrate the cultural competence and culturally responsive skills for effective teaching within a diverse population of students, parents, and community by reflecting on their own biases and developing a deeper awareness of their worldviews;
- Develop culturally responsive environments built on an equity framework “toward the pursuit of identity, skills, intellect, and criticality,” the goal being to “cultivate genius” in all students (G. Muhammad, 2020);
- Demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions encompassed in the RI Professional Teacher Standards (RIPTS);
- Collaborate with families, educational personnel, and community agencies to advocate for best practices for all students/families, including multilingual learners and students with special needs;
- Act intentionally to develop their professional growth and to contribute to the professional growth of colleagues.