The Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education (MAT)
Admission to Clinical Practice:
A student must complete the approved program of study and have no more than two courses with grades of “C” and have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Students must earn a “B” or better in EDUC 680 Field-Based Individual Activities, EDUC 681 Field-Based Individual Activities, and EDUC 699 Clinical Practice.
Students must successfully complete their student-teaching experience and demonstrate competence with the seven learner outcomes of the unit’s conceptual framework.
Program of Study
The program of study leading to the Master in the Art of Teaching in Multi-Categorical Special Education degree consists of course work and other learning activities in the following areas at the 600 level:
Major Program Requirements
Required
Total Credit Hours: 48
The Master in the Art of Teaching Degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education (MAT)
Lander University recognizes the needs of teachers and other professional educators to continue advanced studies beyond the bachelor’s degree level. The Master in the Art of Teaching (MAT) in Multi-Categorical Special Education program is designed for the student who has graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree and is seeking a Master’s level degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education. It provides a path for either individuals already working in South Carolina’s public schools to become certified in a high-need area through the SC CREATE (Centers for the Re-education and Advancement of Teachers in Special Education) program OR other individuals who have a desire to become highly effective special educators, but are unable to pursue this except in an online program.
Admission
There are two major steps in the process for the Master in the Art of Teaching in Multi-Categorical Special Education Degree Program: initial admission to program and admission to clinical practice.
1. Initial Admission to Program- All applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and submit official transcripts of all institutions attended to the Office of Admissions.
Candidates with an undergraduate cumulative GPA below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted provisionally. Provisional admission is contingent upon review of the undergraduate transcript by the student advisor or program coordinator.
Applicants must complete an application for admission.
Note: Students must meet initial admission requirements to the graduate program in order to be eligible for graduate departmental scholarships.
2. Admission to Clinical Practice- Students must complete an application to the South Carolina Department of Education for certification (which requires fingerprinting and background-check approval).
Students must complete an application to the Lander University Department of Teacher Education for admission to Clinical Practice and be accepted by the semester prior to the student-teaching experience.
Students must complete specified courses in the MAT program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Two grades of “C” in any graduate courses preclude continuation in the program. Any grade lower than a “C” must be replaced by retaking the course with a grade of “B” or better before advancing to the next course in the program of studies. Failure to earn a replacement grade of “B” or better means discontinuation in the program. If participating through the CREATE program, candidates must maintain active enrollment in its state-funded scholarship program.
3. Program Completion- To complete requirements for the MAT program, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work. They must also successfully complete their student teaching experience and demonstrate competence with the seven learner outcomes of the unit’s conceptual framework.
Students must earn a “B” or better in EDUC 680 Field-Based Individual Activities, EDUC 681 Field-Based Individual Activities, and EDUC 699 Clinical Practice.
All coursework for the MAT must be completed within a period of 6 years.
Degree Requirements
1. Admission to Clinical Practice.
2. Courses. Completion of 48 credit hours of graduate work. A student must complete an approved program of study and have no more than two courses with grades of “C” and have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
3. Students must earn a “B” or better in EDUC 680 Field-Based Individual Activities, EDUC 681 Field-Based Individual Activities, and EDUC 699 Clinical Practice.
4. Students must successfully complete their student-teaching experience and demonstrate competence with the seven learner outcomes of the unit’s conceptual framework.