Program Contact: Judith Falaro 203-582-8868
The purpose of Quinnipiac’s graduate Master of Arts in Teaching program is to prepare teacher candidates with perspectives, knowledge and skills to become master educators. The School of Education recognizes that the concept of educator is three-dimensional, and that successful educators must be teachers, learners and leaders. Therefore, graduates of the Master of Arts in Teaching program are teachers who lead all students to learn, learners who continue to learn as they continue to teach, and leaders who influence the culture of their schools in ways that support best practices in teaching and learning.
The program reflects the spirit and mission of Quinnipiac with close attention to the teaching standards for the state of Connecticut and to the standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The three values of “excellence in education, a sensitivity to students, and a spirit of community,” which are the heart of Quinnipiac’s mission statement, are woven throughout the program.
General Information
The Quinnipiac University Resident Educator Certification Pathway in special education (K-12) is a part-time program for individuals who are working in a school setting. The multi-semester program of study consists of core certification courses that provide eligibility for teacher certification and advanced coursework in literacy, numeracy and pedagogy to satisfy master’s degree requirements. In combination with the student's work experience, the curriculum provides pre-service teacher candidates the opportunity to learn about schools, students and teaching.
The REC MAT program offers Quinnipiac teacher candidates a Master of Arts in Teaching degree leading to certification through the Connecticut State Department of Education. Consistent with the university’s mission, arts and sciences studies are integrated with professional studies to prepare graduates who have depth and breadth of content knowledge and strong pedagogical skills.
After successfully completing one year of studies in the REC MAT program, a candidate can be hired as a teacher of record under a Resident Educator Certificate while enrolled in the REC MAT program. After successfully completing the REC MAT program requirements, including passing all licensure tests, candidate can apply for an Initial Certification under the State of Connecticut.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED 571 | Learning and Teaching the Developing Child | 3 |
| SPED 501 | Seminar and Mentoring I (Online) | 1 |
| SPED 545 | Introduction to the Exceptional Child (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 565 | Specific Learning Disabilities: Identification, Instruction and Assessment (LD) (Online) | 3 |
| ED 544 | Developing Literacy in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| SPED 502 | Seminar and Mentoring II (Online) | 1 |
| SPED 573 | Reading Disorders: Assessment, Planning and Instruction (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 564 | Teaching Students with Reading and Math Disorders (Online) | 3 |
| ED 577 | Teaching English Language Learners in the Mainstream Classroom | 3 |
| SPED 566 | Autism Spectrum Disorders (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 571 | Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Identification, Management, and Assessment (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 572 | Educating Young Children with Special Needs (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 568 | Assessment/Program Planning and Evaluation of Children with Special Needs (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 503 | Seminar and Mentoring III (Online) | 1 |
| ED 556 | Teaching Literacy in Grades 4-6 | 3 |
| Working with Gifted and Talented Students (Optional) | ||
| ED 555 | Internship and Career Development Seminar | 1 |
| SPED 576 | Designing and Utilizing Assistive Learning Technologies (Online) | 3 |
| SPED 570 | Special Education Law (Online) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching program, Resident Educator Certification Pathway, teacher candidates will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
- Content Knowledge: Identify and define the major concepts of their discipline and understand that content is dynamic and ways of knowing are constantly changing.
- Instructional Strategies: Recognize varied instructional practices and apply appropriate instructional strategies based upon principles of effective teaching.
- Learning Differences, Learner Development: Recognize the complexity of human diversity and provide an instructional program that is responsive to the needs of diverse students.
- Instructional Strategies: Apply appropriate technology to enhance the teaching and learning process.
- Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: Demonstrate the skills and commitment to engage in reflective, mindful practice.
- Assessment: Use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision-making.
- Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: Recognize that since content is dynamic and ways of knowing are constantly changing, the profession requires a commitment to continuous learning.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Recognize that education has the power to be transformative and that their role as educators includes the responsibility to advocate on behalf of their students to promote social justice.
- Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstrate a willingness to work collaboratively with peers, practitioners in the field and/or MAT instructors to sustain a professional learning environment to support student learning.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstrate an understanding that scholarly research is essential to improving their own practice and to enhancing the knowledge base of the profession.
Admission
Applicants are accepted for admission to the fall semester only. Admission to the REC MAT program is based on a holistic review by MAT program faculty of the following admission requirements:
- Applicant must be working in a school setting.
- A 3.00 minimum overall undergraduate GPA (from all colleges and universities attended) with a subject area major or appropriate interdisciplinary major.
- A transcript review that indicates a “B” or better performance in courses related to mathematics as well as English/language arts. (Students whose transcripts do not meet this criteria will be required to provide proof of basic math/reading competencies as determined by the MAT program director.)
- At least two written recommendations from individuals who have recent knowledge (within the last two years) of the applicant’s suitability as a prospective educator.
- A written essay completed on site that meets program standards.
- Evidence of strong basic skills in math, reading and writing. Evidence can be provided through SAT or ACT scores. Alternatively, evidence may also be provided through completion of the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test. SAT, ACT or Praxis Core results will be reviewed by the program director. Any MAT candidate whose scores indicate an area of weakness will be required to participate in a non–credit bearing remediation program that addresses any area of underperformance in math, reading or writing. Once completion of the remediation process is done by the candidate, the status of the candidate will be reviewed. All candidates will be considered probationary status until the improvement of basic skills is documented and remediated.
- A formal interview during which the applicant is expected to demonstrate: an ability to communicate clearly, a demeanor appropriate to the teaching profession, and a maturity and attitude necessary to meet the demands of the MAT program.
- Effective July 1, 2010, Connecticut law requires all teacher candidates to undergo a criminal background check prior to being placed in a public school setting for field study, internship and student teaching. Because a clinical experience is an integral part of each semester, failure to abide by this law will make an applicant ineligible for admission to the program. The School of Education has procedures in place to assist candidates in obtaining the background check. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the teacher candidate.
The School of Education is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The U.S. Department of Education recognizes CAEP as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of education.
Note: Because the education program is subject to state review on a regular basis, prospective and current students are advised to see the School of Education for up-to-date program information.