Education & Human Development

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching
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 Program Overview | Prerequisites | Technology Requirements | Expected Outcomes
Course Work | Program Highlights | Financial Information | About the College
 State Minimum Content Requirements for Teacher Certification

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program is fully accredited under the rigorous standards and on-going review of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Maine Department of Education. Internships providing a realistic setting for learning, teaching and research are conducted in partnership with area schools belonging to the Penobscot River Educational Partnership (PREP).

Overview
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The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program is designed for graduates of four-year colleges with degrees in the liberal arts and sciences. It includes all education courses and school internships required for Maine state teacher certification in elementary education (K-8); English, mathematics, life and physical sciences, and social studies at the secondary level (7-12); and foreign languages (K-12). There are two M.A.T. cohorts: the Elementary (K-8) cohort, with a maximum enrollment of 15 students per year, and the Secondary (7-12) cohort, with a maximum enrollment of 18 students per year. Students seeking K-12 certification in foreign languages are part of the Secondary cohort.

The M.A.T. is a full-time, 12-month professional development program, based on immersion in educational methods, practice and inquiry, and extensive internships in area schools. It is conducted in cooperation with schools in the Penobscot River Education Partnership (PREP), committed to improving teaching and learning and collaborative preparation of teachers. The members of PREP include the school systems of: Brewer, Bucksport, Old Town, School Administrative District 22 (Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport), Union 87 (Orono, Veazie), Union 90 (Alton, Bradley, Greenbush, Milford), Union 91 (Orland, Orrington), United Technologies Center, and the Indian Island School, as well as the University of Maine (Colleges of Education and Human Development, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Business, Public Policy and Health). Maine Child Development Services of Penobscot County is also a member of the partnership.

M.A.T. students bring diverse backgrounds and new ideas to the program and the public schools. They are graduates of public universities and private colleges from throughout the United States and a few from other countries. Their undergraduate majors range from art history to veterinary science, and they come from a variety of work and life experiences. Some students have recently completed their bachelor’s degrees, while others come from working in other careers. The common bond is that they all want to be highly effective, knowledgeable teachers.

Prerequisites
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• Normally requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate Grade Point Average, with a degree in an appropriate academic discipline.

Submission of Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test results.

• Submission of evidence of passing scores, as established by the State of Maine, on the Praxis I Exam. (http://www.ets.org/praxis)

• (Elementary cohort) Within two courses of completion of academic course requirements for Maine state certification. All such courses must be completed prior to the granting of the MAT degree. (See below)

• (Secondary cohort) Have completed at least 30 credit hours of coursework in the subject they wish to teach, including coursework most closely aligned with the subject-area standards of Maine’s Learning Results.

• Successful prior experience working with children in teaching/learning environments and at least one recommendation referring to that experience.

• Maturity, sensitivity to others and the ability to reflect on learning experiences and to learn from those reflections. *

• A commitment to teaching as a career.

• Evidence of these prerequisites should be included in the applicant essay and in letters of recommendation. At least one letter of recommendation should come from a supervisor or co-worker at a school other program where the applicant worked with school-aged children.

Technology Requirements
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Students admitted to the M.A.T. program are required – at the time of enrollment – to own a laptop computer with the minimum hardware and software requirements specified by the College. More information is available from the Computer Connection store at UMaine, http://ccWeb.umecit.maine.edu/~maine/index.php, (207) 581-2510, or on the College's Laptop in Education Web site: http://www.umaine.edu/edhd/laptops.htm.

Expected Outcomes
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The expected outcomes for graduates of the M.A.T. program are the 16 University of Maine candidate proficiencies, which are based on the 10 Maine Standards for Initial Teacher Certification, and are aligned with Maine’s Learning Results.

University of Maine Candidate Proficiencies

CANDIDATE PROFICIENCIES

PROFICIENCY 1: Candidates demonstrate the knowledge of the central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the disciplines they teach. (Maine Standard 1)

PROFICIENCY 2: (For Other Professional School Personnel, Not for Teacher Candidates)

PROFICIENCY 3: Candidates can create learning experiences that make subject matter meaningful to students. (Maine Standard 1)

PROFICIENCY 4: Candidates integrate the concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures among the disciplines. (Maine Standard 2)

PROFICIENCY 5: Candidates plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students and curriculum goals. (Maine Standard 4)

PROFICIENCY 6: Candidates understand and use a variety of instructional strategies. (Maine Standard 5)

PROFICIENCY 7: Candidates understand and use appropriate technology. (Maine Standard 5)

PROFICIENCY 8: Candidates demonstrate a knowledge of the diverse ways in which students learn and develop by providing learning opportunities that support the intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. (Maine Standard 3)

PROFICIENCY 9: Candidates create positive environments that support and encourage student learning. (Maine Standard 6)

PROFICIENCY 10: Candidates demonstrate the ability to support students’ learning and well-being by engaging students, home, school, colleagues and community. (Maine Standard 7)

PROFICIENCY 11: Candidates demonstrate an awareness of and commitment to ethical and legal responsibilities of an educator. (Maine Standard 9)

PROFICIENCY 12: Candidates demonstrate a strong professional ethic and a desire to contribute to the education profession. (Maine Standard 10)

PROFICIENCY 13: Candidates recognize the individual and group differences in their students and families, build positive relationships and supportive interactions, and adjust their practice accordingly so that all students can learn.

PROFICIENCY 14: Candidates demonstrate a commitment to reflecting on and seeking to improve their practice. (Maine Standard 10)

PROFICIENCY 15: Candidates recognize the need to draw from educational research and scholarship to improve their practice.

PROFICIENCY 16: Candidates understand and use a variety of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and support the development of the learner. (Maine Standard 8)

PROFICIENCY 17: Candidates can demonstrate the impact of their teaching on student learning.

PROFICIENCY 18: (For Other Professional School Personnel, Not for Teacher Candidates)

Successful M.A.T. students will document and demonstrate that they have met the above University of Maine candidate proficiencies. The program provides many opportunities for students to meet these proficiencies.

Course Work
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Elementary Education (K-8)
Summer
Educational Psychology	3 credits
Middle Level Education Institute	3 credits
Children’s Literature	3 credits
Technology Tools for K-12 Schools	3 credits
Portfolio development begins
Fall
Curriculum and Methods in Math, Science, Social Studies and Literacy	13 credits
Educational Practicum	2 credits
Educational Assessment	3 credits
Entry to Teacher Candidacy is determined by Advising Team at the end of this semester
Spring (January-June)
Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities	3 credits
Social Context of Education	3 credits
Student Teaching internship and Seminar	6 credits
Final evaluation of portfolio

 

Secondary Education (7-12), including Foreign Language (K-12)
Summer
Educational Psychology	3 credits
Middle Level Education Institute	3 credits
Literacy Across the Curriculum	3 credits
Technology Tools for K-12 Schools	3 credits
Portfolio development begins
Fall ~ Secondary Content Methods (Selected Content Area Only)
English	9 credits
Mathematics	3 credits
Science	3 credits
Social Studies	3 credits
Foreign Languages	3 credits
Plus
Educational Practicum	3 credits
Educational Assessment	3 credits
Coursework in Content Area (EXCEPT English)	3-6 credits
Entry to Teacher Candidacy is determined by Advising Team at the end of this semester
Spring (January-June)
Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities	3 credits
Social Context of Education	3 credits
Student Teaching Internship and Seminar	6 credits
Final portfolio evaluation

The M.A.T. degree is awarded upon completion of the above coursework, certification content coursework and the successful demonstration of the University of Maine candidate proficiencies. The demonstration and documentation of the proficiencies includes development of a portfolio, teaching observations and evaluations.

Current Minimum Academic Content Requirements for Teacher Certification as Required by the State of Maine
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(Effective August 1, 2005 - Subject to change)

Applicants must demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Praxis 1 test (all three sections) and on Praxis 2 test in the appropriate content area(s). The Praxis 2 test titled Principles of Teaching and Learning (PLT) is NOT required for graduates of state-approved teacher preparation programs, including the MAT program.

 

Elementary Education (K-8)

• Bachelor’s degree, which must include:

• 6 credits in mathematics
• 6 credits in science
• 6 credits in English
• 6 credits in social science

Secondary Education (7-12), including Foreign Languages (K-12)

•Bachelor’s degree, with at least 24 credit hours in the subject area specialization.

University of Maine content area admission requirements:

Elementary Education (K-8)

Applicants must be within two courses of completing the State of Maine academic course requirements to be eligible for the MAT program.

Secondary Education (7-12), including Foreign Languages (K-12)

Social Studies (7-12)

• At least 30 credit hours in social studies.
• At least 6 credits must be in history, including a U.S. history course
• You must have 24 credits in one of the following four content areas: history, economics, geography or political science.
• To reach the 30 credits, 6 credits may come from anthropology, sociology or psychology coursework.

English/Language Arts (7-12)

• At least 30 credits in English
• A blend of courses in writing, genre studies, and literature

Mathematics (7-12)

• At least 30 credits in math, which includes at least three credits form each of the following areas:

• calculus
• geometry
• probability and statistics
• discrete mathematics

Foreign Language (K-12)

• At least 30 credits in one of the modern or classical language endorsement areas approved by the State of Maine, OR
• Earned a score of advanced level or higher on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview administered by a certified ACTFL oral proficiency tester in the modern language endorsement being sought.

Life Science (7-12)
(Examples: biology, botany, zoology, anatomy/physiology, ecology, marine biology)

• At least 30 credits in science (at least 18 credits in life sciences) which includes at least 3 credit hours in one of the following:

• botany
• zoology
• ecology

Physical Science (7-12)
(Examples: chemistry, physics, geology, earth science, space science, oceanography)

• At least 30 credits in science which includes at least six credits each of:

• chemistry
• physics

All candidates must demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Praxis 2 content knowledge test in the appropriate content area(s) prior to beginning their internships.

Program Highlights
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• Approximately 36-42-credit hour, 12-month program leading to a master’s degree and recommendation for Maine teacher certification.

• Accredited by the National Association for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the State of Maine.

• Runs full time from June to June. Review of applications begin each February 1st.

• Standards-based and centered around work in professional development partnership schools.

A full-time commitment

The M.A.T is a full-time, 12- month program. Courses are offered at the University and on-site in schools during the day and evenings. In addition to coursework, intensive in-school experiences are required.

The commitment, including study time, will be at least 60 hours a week. Successful participants need to dedicate the vast majority of their time to meeting the demands of the program. Trying to balance even a part-time job is not advised.

University of Maine Laptop Initiative:

Beginning in the Summer of 2006, students admitted to the College of Education and Human Development in the Master of Arts in Teaching program will be required to own a laptop computer with the minimum hardware and software requirements as specified by the COEHD at the time of their enrollment. More information about the laptop requirements is available at http://www.umaine.edu/edhd/laptops.htm.

Financial Information
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The latest tuition and fee rates are available from the University of Maine Graduate School:

(207) 581-3218
www.umaine.edu/graduate

Canadian students from Quebec and the Maritime Provinces are eligible for rates under the New England Regional Student Program, administered by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBH). The NEBH rate is 50 percent above Maine resident tuition.

Financial Aid forms should be submitted as early as possible for optimal consideration. Work Study stipends for work in schools are available to students meeting income guidelines. Many applicants for the MAT program qualify for the Federal Work Study program administered by the University of Maine’s Office of Student Employment and Volunteer Programs. In return for stipends, MAT students perform "community work study" from September through May in the K-12 schools in which they are placed for Practicum.

(207) 581-1349
http://www.umaine.edu/studemp

Financial assistance for Maine students pursuing careers as educators may also be available from the Finance Authority of Maine’s Educators for Maine Program:

1-800-228-3734
www.famemaine.com

General information about financial assistance and specific awards is available from the UMaine Student Financial Aid Office:

(207) 581-1324
www.umaine.edu/stuaid/main.html

Application Process

Applications to the Graduate School are due on February 1. Review begins in February, and applications are considered until the cohort group is full. For more information about the M.A.T. program, contact:

Office of Educational Field Experiences and Certification
College of Education and Human Development
University of Maine
136 Shibles Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5766
(207) 581-2412
cindy.plourde@umit.maine.edu

About the College
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The College of Education and Human Development prepares teachers and other educational and human service specialists to apply research-based knowledge and field-tested practice to help address the changing needs of schools, children and families. The breadth of scholarship and resources of the state’s Land Grant and Sea Grant University creates excitement, encourages collaboration and enriches the student experience.

The College is widely recognized for innovation in technology and as the home of research and professional development programs that inform and advance teaching and learning, for example:

• Maine Education Policy Research Institute
• Institute for the Study of Students At Risk
• Center for Research and Evaluation
• Center for Early Literacy
• Center for Adult Learning and Literacy
• Maine Writing Project, an affiliate of the National Writing Project
• Maine Center for Sport and Coaching
• Computer Lab and educational software testing center

What students and graduates say about the M.A.T. program at the University of Maine

"My year in the M.A.T. program was one of the toughest and best of my life. I highly recommend this experience to others interested in the field of education."

"Being such a part of the school culture gave us a real look into the inner workings of education. They didn’t shelter us from anything."

"The internship is a non-stop learning experience."

"It’s an intense program for those who can unplug their lives and commit to it. The M.A.T. is a life commitment for that year."

"These veteran teachers are just incredible in their different methods of successful teaching and classroom management."

"Content knowledge is a strength of the program. The M.A.T. students have strong content knowledge and learn to teach those who don’t."

"You get to build a relationship with the school. I felt at home there."

"As part of a team, you learn from experts and from one another, not by trial and error."

"The variety of experience and different grade levels and exposure to different instructional styles helped me make good choices about where I want to be and my own approach to teaching."

"The professional experience is powerful. You’re quickly in the classroom, and the research projects are meant to be incorporated into the classroom."

"If I had known then what I know now about the M.A.T. program, I would do it all over again."