Teacher Certification/Masters in Teaching (MAT)

If you are interested in pursuing a program of study that leads to teacher certification in music, it is crucial that you consult with the faculty in the Education Department in your FIRST YEAR of study. While our program (which leads, in a fifth year of study to a Master of Arts in Teaching plus, of course, certification), has been designed to allow you to focus primarily on your major during the four traditional years of study, you do need to prepare for admission to the M.A.T. program by taking certain courses.

The material that follows was taken from the 2007-08 catalog. To insure that you comply with the regulations that will apply to you, please make sure you consult the most up-to-date sources of information.

The faculty of St. Mary’s College believes that offering a certification program through an accredited Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)degree will allow our students to take full advantage of the rich undergraduate curriculum available at our college – to spend a semester abroad, to complete a double major, to take elective courses in many diverse areas, to try interdisciplinary courses – and then to be able to synthesize that richly textured content background with graduate courses in education so they can better serve their future students.

The M.A.T. option builds on students’ solid grounding in a vigorously defined major and in the breadth of their general education requirements while allowing them a seamless transition into the professional coursework. The M.A.T. provides basic instruction in pedagogical strategies, assessment, curriculum development, discipline and management, and other specific elements of the professional educator’s knowledge base.

Music majors may certify in their discipline for grades K – 12.

All of the teacher certification programs available through this MAT degree have full program approval from the Maryland State Department of Education and lead to reciprocity for certification in a majority of other states. Our program completers have a 100% pass rate on the PRAXIS exams, and our hiring rate for those who choose to teach is 100%.

The Master of Arts is a full-time, year-long program requiring participants to be in county public schools from the beginning of the program. The mentor/cooperating teachers at the school sites provide support and expertise that will prepare the student to meet the challenge of the beginning teacher, translating theory into practice.

Complete information about the admissions process can be found in the current college catalog. M.A.T. program participants must take the courses listed below before beginning the program. These undergraduate courses are available every semester at SMCM, and are often available at community colleges and other four-year institutions as well. All prerequisite course work must be completed with a grade of C- or better. The courses listed are those available at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Consult with Educational Studies faculty prior to taking courses at other institutions in order to determine course equivalencies.

GPA Requirements

2.73 cumulative

3.0 major

3.0 education course prerequisites (listed below)

K-12 CANDIDATES (INCLUDING GRADES K–12 IN MUSIC)

• Major in the appropriate content field with appropriate breadth/depth)
• Educational Psychology (EDUC/PSYC 368)
• Exceptionality (EDSP/PSYC 336)
• Child in America (EDUC 206)
• Adolescence (PSYC 333) or Lifespan (PSYC 230)
• Reflective Practice in Human Studies (EDUC 204)
• Language Acquisition & Phonemic Awareness (EDUC 296)
• Course work reflecting non-western perspectives (often taken routinely as part of the major)
• Performing Arts major music concentrators must complete any four one-credit methods courses in strings, brass, percussion, etc.

Program Completion

M.A.T. participants who successfully complete the program course work with a 3.0 average or better, successfully complete all aspects of the internship, submit an acceptable electronic portfolio, and achieve passing scores on the appropriate PRAXIS II tests will be eligible for approved program certification in Maryland. Names of program completers will be sent to the Maryland State Department of Education,after which individuals may apply for their teaching certificate. Individuals who meet criteria are eligible for the Maryland’s Meritorious New Teacher Candidate award, which simplifies certification across state borders. Approved program certification allows for reciprocity with minimal additional requirements in approximately 37 other states.

Other Important Information

• The M.A.T. program begins on July 1 and is completed on June 30.
• There are no residential on-campus living options for M.A.T. students during the regular academic year. Housing will be available for the mid-May through June traditional summer session.
• All internship experiences will be fulfilled in St. Mary’s County public schools.
• All program participants are charged full-time tuition for the fall and spring terms.
• All program participants pay the per-credit rate for the July (Summer IA – 8 credits) course work and for the May/June (Summer II – 6 credits) course work, as well as the per-credit rate for any courses taken at the undergraduate level through
• Continuing Education” or in the traditional summer session.
• All admitted students will be required to bring a personal laptop computer with them into the program; specifications will be provided in the admissions letter.
• The program will admit approximately 40 students a year, with approximately 25 elementary candidates and 15 secondary/K-12 candidates enrolled.
• The program is a full-time cohort program which means that there are no electives and no options for part-time enrollment.
• Out-of-state students who complete their undergraduate degree at SMCM and then enter the M.A.T. program will be charged in-state tuition for their graduate year.