Graduate Catalog 2023-2024
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Teacher Education for Initial Certification, MAT (0495)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/ste


Program Coordinator

Janet L. Tassell, janet.tassell@wku.edu, (270) 745-5306

Program Contact
Rachael Lee, rachael.lee@wku.edu, (270) 745-2819

The MAT in Teacher Education for Initial Certification provides students with the pedagogical knowledge and skills to become highly qualified educators who will apply state-of-the-art, evidence-based, best teaching practices to increase student achievement. Graduates will gain competencies in theory, research, and application of best teaching practices in their respective fields. 

The degree offers three concentrations: Elementary Education (grades K-5); Middle or Secondary Education (grades P-12 or 5-9 or 8-12 depending on certification area); and, Secondary Science and Mathematics Residency (grades P-12).

Students in this program may or may not hold a temporary provisional teaching certificate. Program faculty advisors will assist students in selecting appropriate coursework and culminating experiences to meet their career goals.  Contact the Office of Professional Educator Services for more information about teacher certification.

Concentration(s)

  • Elementary Education (EEED)
  • Middle or Secondary Education (EMSE)
  • Secondary Science and Mathematics Residency (ERSM)

Program Admission

  • Official transcript documenting an earned baccalaureate degree with a major in an approved certification area (see lists in the Overview) with a cumulative GPA of 2.75.  
  • Letter of application including professional goals
  • Criminal background check
  • Three letters of reference
  • Physical examination (including TB test)
  • Signed code of ethics
  • Meet required Praxis scores on the content major (does not apply to elementary education) – go to www.ets.org

Graduate School Admission

Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate School admission requirements.

Program Requirements (30 Hours)

Elementary Education Concentration

Required Courses
EDU 589Advanced Internship for the MAT6
PSY 510Advanced Educational Psychology3
SPED 515Introduction to Special Education3
LTCY 519Literacy Development and Instruction3
or LTCY 510 Methods of Teaching Literacy to Adolescents
ELED 503Organization of Elementary School Curriculum3
ELED 505Mat/Meth/Math/El Teach3
ELED 506Seminar in Elementary School Science3
ELED 507Advanced Materials and Methods in Social Studies3
ELED 509Advanced Methods and Materials for Elementary Education3
Total Hours30

Middle or Secondary Education Concentration

Required Courses
EDU 589Advanced Internship for the MAT6
PSY 510Advanced Educational Psychology3
SPED 515Introduction to Special Education3
LTCY 519Literacy Development and Instruction3
or LTCY 510 Methods of Teaching Literacy to Adolescents
EDU 520Planning for Instruction 13
EDU 522Foundations of Differentiated Instruction3
EDU 570Educational Assessment for P-12 Learners3
LITE 535Survey of Educational Technology Practices3
Choose one content-specific methods course: 23
Seminar in Mathematics Education
Seminar in Music Education
Seminar in Science Education
Seminar in Social Studies Education
Seminar in English Language Arts Methods
Methods of Teaching Business and Marketing Education
Teaching Foreign Language
Methods of Teaching in Agriculture Education
Teaching Strategies in Physical Education
Total Hours30
1

Should be completed within the first 6 hours.

2

Other courses may be approved by advisor. Students may not duplicate courses from other completed programs.

Secondary Science and Mathematics Residency Concentration (ERSM)

This is a cohort concentration. Please contact the School of Teacher Education prior to application for details.

Required Courses
SMED 590Teaching Internship8
SMED 501Designing Instructional Sequences in Secondary Math and Science3
SMED 510Advanced Topics in Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
SMED 589Science and Mathematics Education Internship Seminar3
SMED 530Literacy Support for Diverse Learners in Mathematics and Science3
SMED 520Management for Positive Learning Environments3
SMED 560Developing Professional Learning Communities for Instructional Improvement3
SMED 620Collaborative Research to Improve Mathematics and Science Teaching3
SMED 630Action Research Seminar1
Total Hours30