Master of Arts in Teaching
42 Semester Credits/ 6 Semesters/24 Months
* Internship Teaching Option/ 1 Additional Semester/ 4 Additional Months
*Bilingual Authorization 9 Credits/1 Additional Semester/4 Additional Months
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program (MAT) provides students a pathway to complete their California teaching credential preparation program while also pursuing a Master's degree. Students interested in teaching at the K-6 school level in the State of California must have completed a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited university, have passed the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) and have the capacity to pass the California Subjects Examination for Teachers (CSET), or have completed a commission-approved elementary subject-matter program. Students interested in teaching at the 7-12 school level must have completed a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the appropriate subject-matter examination (CSET), such as Art, Dance, English, Health Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, Theater, World Languages, or have completed a commission-approved subject-matter program.
The College of Education offers the following Teacher Credentialing programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):
- 2042 Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential
- 2042 Single Subject Preliminary Credential- in the following areas-Art, Dance, English/Language Arts, Health Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Sciences, Social Sciences, World Languages
- Bilingual Authorization (Spanish/English)
Student Teaching Requirements
- Completed and passed the CSET for the credential being sought (or obtain an equivalency approval)
- CPR Certification
- Complete 600 hours of full-time student teaching in an approved classroom(s) over 2 eight-week sessions regardless of holidays or vacation days
- Students are advised not to work during their student teaching experience as it is a full-time commitment requiring 40 plus hours each week
- Substitute teaching and non-sequential or unapproved placements will not be counted towards the 600 hours of required practicum
- Students may be required to travel to distant school sites as assigned- specific school schedule requests or school sites may or may not be accommodated
- Students are encouraged to look ahead and properly plan for the required 16 weeks of student teaching
Internship Option- Students interested in the internship option must meet additional enrollment requirements: passing scores on the California Subjects Examination for Teachers (CSET) or CTC approved equivalency, have an intern job offer with a public school in the state of California. Multiple Subject students must also have passed the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA). This program requires students to have a full- time intern teaching placement, on an internship credential, at a public school district while they are in the program. Students must be enrolled in the University to work on an Intern Credential. A leave of absence or break in attendance will cause the credential to be revoked.
*Student teaching/Intern teaching is rarely available during the Summer. Students who begin the program in the fall terms and continuously enroll in two courses each term must acknowledge that student teaching may be delayed until the following fall terms due to third party teaching placements availability. By not continuing during summer sessions, this may impact your continuous enrollment, financial aid (if applicable), and time to complete.
The following Courses may not be offered in the summer II term:
EDU565 Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I
EDU562 Directed Student Teaching Seminar I
EDU567 Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II
EDU564 Directed Student Teaching Seminar II
INT501 Internship Supervision and Support I
INT502 Internship Supervision and Support II
INT503 Internship Supervision and Support III
INT504 Internship Supervision and Support IV
Program Completion Requirements
- Complete program with a Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above
- Passed the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (Multiple Subjects only)
- Passed the CSET (all sections) or CTC approved equivalency
- Exit interview
- Exit survey
Teacher Credentialing and Licensure
Per the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) all students must meet the specific requirements in effect at the time of candidate application for credential. While the United States University program prepares California teacher candidates it does not guarantee teacher licensure. All credential candidates are encouraged to check the commission requirement page on a regular basis as requirements may change. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl560c.pdf?sfvrsn=8db75dfc_16
In order to be recommended to the California Teaching Commission for a Multiple Subject Credential or a Single Subject Credential, candidates must complete the following requirements:
Multiple Subject Credential
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam or equivalency)
- Achieve a passing score on required subject matter exams (CSET or a commission approved equivalency).
- Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
- Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution or pass exam.
- Complete a Commission-approved multiple subject teacher preparation program.
- Passed all edTPA Tasks.
- Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.
Single Subject Credential
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam or equivalency)
- Verify subject matter competence by ONE of the following:
- Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject-matter examination(s)(CSET)
- Complete a Commission-approved subject matter program. (not available at USU)
- For Specialized Science subjects only, individuals may take and pass the appropriate subject matter examinations or obtain verification of completion of subject-matter course work from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
- Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution or pass exam.
- Complete a Commission-approved teacher preparation program.
- Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.
Outcomes
By the end of the Master of Arts in Teaching, candidates will learn, apply and reflect upon the following Teaching Performance Expectations (TPE’s) and Program Learning Outcomes
1: Engaging and supporting all students in learning
2: Creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning
3: Understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning
4: Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students
5: Assessing student learning
6: Developing as a professional educator
7: Utilize data to inform decision making and address barriers to student success
8: Apply research and theory to educational planning in support of equitable outcomes for students, staff and the school community
Curriculum Requirements
Core Requirements
| EDU501 | Affirming and Valuing Diversity in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU503 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDU504 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDU510 | Introduction to Classroom Instruction | 3 |
| EDU525 | English Language Developmental Strategies for English Language Learners | 3 |
| EDU698 | Educational Research in Action | 3 |
| EDU699 | MAT Capstone | 3 |
Note: EDU699 is non-transferable.
Multiple Subject Credential Requirements
| EDU534 | Curriculum and Instruction I | 3 |
| EDU535 | Curriculum and Instruction II | 3 |
| EDU536 | Language Arts and Reading K-6 | 3 |
| EDU561 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I | 5 |
| EDU562 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU563 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II | 5 |
| EDU564 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar II | 1 |
Single Subject Credential Requirements
| EDU540 | Secondary Teaching Strategies I | 3 |
| EDU541 | Secondary Teaching Strategies II | 3 |
| EDU542 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDU565 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I | 5 |
| EDU562 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU567 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II | 5 |
| EDU564 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar II | 1 |
Internship Teaching Option - Multiple Subjects
| EDU534 | Curriculum and Instruction I | 3 |
| EDU535 | Curriculum and Instruction II | 3 |
| EDU536 | Language Arts and Reading K-6 | 3 |
| INT501 | Internship Supervision and Support I | 3 |
| INT502 | Internship Supervision and Support II | 3 |
| INT503 | Internship Supervision and Support III | 3 |
| INT504 | Internship Supervision and Support IV | 3 |
Internship Teaching Option - Single Subject
| EDU540 | Secondary Teaching Strategies I | 3 |
| EDU541 | Secondary Teaching Strategies II | 3 |
| EDU542 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| INT501 | Internship Supervision and Support I | 3 |
| INT502 | Internship Supervision and Support II | 3 |
| INT503 | Internship Supervision and Support III | 3 |
| INT504 | Internship Supervision and Support IV | 3 |
Optional Addition - Bilingual Authorization Requirements
| EDU522 | First and Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDU580 | Bilingualism, Biliteracy, and Immersion | 3 |
| EDU581 | Spanish Language Methods | 3 |