Master of Arts in Teaching - Arizona
42 Semester Credits/6 Semesters/24 Months
Delivery Method: Online with Student Teaching
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program provides students with a pathway to complete their Arizona teaching credential preparation program while also pursuing a Master's degree.
Students interested in teaching at the K-8 school level (elementary) in the state of Arizona must have completed a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the Elementary Education Subject Knowledge Exam (AEPA/NES), Professional Knowledge Exam or have completed an approved elementary subject-matter program (K-8). Students must also pass the NES Foundations of Reading.
Students interested in teaching at the 5-9 school level ( middle grades) in the state of Arizona must have completed a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the Middle Grades or Secondary Subject Knowledge Exam (AEPA or NES) in the specific content area they would like to teach and the Professional Knowledge Exam (AEPA/NES) Students can complete either the elementary or secondary program.
Students interested in teaching at the 6-12 school level (secondary) in the state of Arizona must have completed a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the Secondary Subject Knowledge Exam (AEPA or NES) in the specific area they would like to teach and the Professional Knowledge- Secondary (AEPA/NES).
All candidates are required to complete a college course on the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution or pass an approved exam.
Student Teaching Requirements
Elementary Candidates
- Completed and passed the AEPA/NES exams (NT051, NT102, NT103)
- NES Foundations of Reading exam
- CPR Certification
- TB Clearance
Secondary Candidates
- Completed and passed the Subject Knowledge Exam for your area (AEPA or NES)
- Professional Knowledge Exam-Secondary (AEP/NES), If teaching reading - NES Foundations of Reading-
- CPR Certification
- TB Clearance
All Candidates
- All credential candidates must provide an IVP fingerprint clearance card.
- 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 may 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
*Student teaching placements are 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 the availability of third-party teaching placements. Not continuing during summer sessions may impact your continuous enrollment, financial aid (if applicable), and your time to complete.
The following Courses may not be offered in the summer II term:
- EDU511 Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom I
- EDU512 Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom I
- EDU513 Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom II
- EDU518 Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom II
- EDU515 Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom I
- EDU514 Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom I
- EDU516 Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom II
- EDU517 Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom II
Program Completion Requirements
- K-6 (Elementary Education)
- Bachelor's degree
- Meet all degree requirements
- Complete program with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above
- Student Teaching
- All Required Exams
- Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Knowledge of the United States and Arizona Constitutions
- 7-12 (Secondary Education)
- Bachelor’s degree
- Meet all degree requirements
- Complete program with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above
- Student teaching in the specific subject area
- All Required Exams
- Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Knowledge of the United States and Arizona Constitutions
Teacher Credentialing and Licensure
Per the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) all students must meet the specific requirements in effect at the time of candidate application for credential. While the United States University program prepares Arizona teacher candidates it does not guarantee teacher licensure. All credential candidates are encouraged to check the certification requirement page on a regular basis as requirements may change. https://www.azed.gov/
In order to be granted an Institutional Recommendation to be given to the Arizona Department of Education for an Elementary Education credential candidates must complete the following requirements:
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Satisfy the pedagogy requirement: AEPA/NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge-Elementary Education (NT051) exam
- Achieve a passing score on required subject matter exams: AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge: Elementary Education Subtest I & II exam. (NT102 and NT103)
Outcomes
1. Students will engage and support all learners in the learning process.
2. Students will create and maintain effective learning environments that support student success.
3. Students will understand and organize subject matter to promote meaningful student learning.
4. Students will plan instruction and design inclusive learning experiences for all students.
5. Students will assess and evaluate student learning to inform instruction.
6. Students will develop as reflective and ethical professional educators.
7. Students will use data to inform decision-making and address barriers to student success.
8. Students will apply research and theory to educational planning to support equitable outcomes for students, staff, and the school community.
Curriculum Requirements
Core Course 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 |
| MAE500 | Psychology of Education | 3 |
| MAE512 | Assessment in Education | 3 |
Elementary Education
| EDU531 | Language Arts in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDU574 | Elementary Teaching Methods I | 3 |
| EDU575 | Elementary Teaching Methods II | 3 |
| ELL526 | Foundations of English Learner Instruction in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDU511 | Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom I | 5 |
| EDU512 | Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom I | 1 |
| EDU513 | Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom II | 5 |
| EDU518 | Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Elementary Classroom II | 1 |
Secondary Education
| EDU542 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDU570 | Secondary Teaching Methods I | 3 |
| EDU571 | Secondary Teaching Methods II | 3 |
| ELL527 | Foundations of English Learner Instruction in Secondary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDU515 | Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom I | 5 |
| EDU514 | Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom I | 1 |
| EDU516 | Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom II | 5 |
| EDU517 | Seminar for Clinical Practice in the Secondary Classroom II | 1 |