Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) in Social
Studies Education: Grades 6-12

The Master of Art in teaching (MAT) accommodate candidates with a baccalaureate degree appropriate to the certification area but without certification and are seeking entry into the teaching profession. The MAT is no less rigorous than the advanced master’s degree program, but includes courses which provide the necessary background in professional education together with the master’s level academic course work.

Recognized as one of six exemplary social studies/global education programs in the nation (Merryfield, 1992, pp. 17-46), the overall program's aim is to produce individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and instructional strategies, and perspectives to participate in a multiracial, polyethnic, and culturally diverse democratic society that is globally interconnected.  Specifically, the program seeks to produce social studies teachers who:

    -    are well-grounded in the historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological, moral and ethical foundations of education

    -    are proficient in the multiple disciplines of history and the social sciences 

    -    have an appreciation for the evolution of social studies and social studies education

    -    are aware of and can selectively utilize the developments in materials, programs, discipline content, curricula, technology, instructional        strategies, and assessment methods and evaluation techniques

    -    are disposed to infusing a global perspective into the social studies discipline content 

    -    are able to develop creative solutions to teaching, learning, and evaluation problems in social studies education

    -    are desirous of and can demonstrate professional growth and maturity

    -    are cognizant of and critically examine and interpret trends, policy issues, and recent research in social studies education

    -    can engage in advanced inquiry and research.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Criteria for admission into the program are:  

1. A bachelor’s degree or a strong minor (30 hours with a 3.0 or higher) in History and/or the Social Sciences and a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA for the two most recent years of study.
2. A passing score on ALL FOUR sections of the  CLAST* (no exemptions) OR a combined GRE score of 1000 (Verbal and Quantitative).
3. In addition to the minimum GPA, CLAST, or the combined GRE score, the applicant must receive an affirmative recommendation from the designated Program Leader, Dean of the College, or his designee following a personal interview.
4. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee automatic admission.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  

1.      An overall GPA of 3.0 or better.

2.      Successful demonstration of all of the Pre-professional Florida Educator Accomplished Practices Competencies.

3.      Passing Score on the General Knowledge test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.

4.      Passing score on the Professional Education test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.

5.      Passing score on the Subject Area test (Social Science 6-12) of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.

(*Note: If the CLAST was taken and ALL four sections passed prior to July 2002, the new General Knowledge test may be waived).

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Total:                45 Semester Hours  

Applications to student teaching are due in the office of the Director of Student Teaching by July 1 for Spring semester placement.  Specific program requirements vary depending upon applicant’s bachelor’s degree program, see program faculty for advisement. 

NOTE:  If you need to take additional courses for certification in Social Science 6-12, or Social Science 5-9, or General Middle Grades 5-9 (Social Science), please consult the State of Florida Bureau of Educator Certification at 800-445-6739 or http://www.firn.edu/doe/cgi-bin/doehome/menu.pl.  The additional courses will NOT count toward the MAT degree.

For more information, please contact the Program Coordinator:

e-mail: landorfh@fiu.edu