Master of Arts in Teaching - Arizona

The University is no longer accepting applications and is not actively enrolling for this degree

42 Semester Credits/ 4 Semesters/16 Months

Delivery Mode: Online

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program (MAT) provides students 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 in the State of Arizona must have completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge: Elementary Education Subtest I & II exam (NT102 and NT103) and AEPA/NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge-Elementary Education (NT051) exam. Students interested in teaching at the 6-12 school level must have completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the APEA/NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge-Secondary Education (NT052) and the AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge Exam in the requested subject area or have completed a regionally accredited subject-matter program.

The College of Education offers the following Teacher Credentialing programs approved by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE):

  • Elementary Education TK-8
  • Secondary Education 6-12

Requirements for all Credential Program Candidates

To stay on schedule for graduation and to be eligible to receive the institutional recommendation for the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) students seeking a credential must show proof of passing the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA/NES) prior to beginning student teaching. It is highly recommended that candidates take this exam as early in the program as possible.

Student Teaching Requirements

  • Completed and passed the AEPA/NES for the credential being sought.
  • CPR Certification
  • TB Clearance
  • All credential candidates must provide a 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

Program Completion Requirements

  • Complete program with a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Exit Interview
  • Exit Survey

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/sites/default/files/2016/08/Requirements%20for%20Certificate%20-%20Elementary.pdf?id=57a5f538aadebe02a4f4f3c2

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

Engaging and supporting all students in learning

Creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning

Understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning

Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students

Assessing student learning

Developing as a professional educator

Utilize data to inform decision making and address barriers to student success

Apply research and theory to educational planning in support of equitable outcomes for students, staff and the school community

Curriculum Requirements

Core Course Requirements

EDU501Affirming and Valuing Diversity in the Classroom

3

EDU503Foundations of Education

3

EDU504Introduction to Special Education

3

EDU510Introduction to Classroom Instruction

3

MAE500Psychology of Education

3

MAE512Assessment in Education

3

Elementary Education Requirements

EDU536Language Arts and Reading K-6

3

EDU561Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I

5

EDU563Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II

5

EDU572Student Teaching Seminar I

1

EDU574Elementary Teaching Methods I

3

EDU575Elementary Teaching Methods II

3

EDU576Student Teaching Seminar II

1

ELL526Foundations of English Learner Instruction in Elementary Classrooms

3

Secondary Education Requirements

EDU542Reading in the Content Area

3

EDU565Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I

5

EDU567Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II

5

EDU570Secondary Teaching Methods I

3

EDU571Secondary Teaching Methods II

3

EDU572Student Teaching Seminar I

1

EDU576Student Teaching Seminar II

1

ELL527Foundations of English Learner Instruction in Secondary Classrooms

3