EARN YOUR MASTER’S DEGREE IN TEACHING FROM SC!
Total Credit Hours: 36
Transfer Credits: Up to 6
Prepare yourself for advancement in the field of education with your master’s degree in teaching from Southwestern College! The well-rounded curriculum consists of courses including psychology, special education, teaching methods, and classroom management, preparing graduates for a variety of education positions! Courses are taught online by education experts, providing learners a better, more flexible college experience so they can attend classes from anywhere while they continue to work and raise a family.
THE SC DIFFERENCE
Recently ranked as one of the Top Accredited Online Colleges, Southwestern College offers quality online degrees to adult learners. With courses taught by expert faculty and access to a variety of student resources, SC learners are provided with the tools and flexibility needed to succeed in their education while preparing for professional advancement.
- Diverse curriculum
- Nonprofit, regionally accredited
- Receive the same diploma as traditional students from our physical campus
- Discover more reasons to choose SC!
CAREER OUTLOOK
Projected Job Growth (BLS): 12%
Average Salary (PayScale): $56k
View Courses & Program Details
STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES
“I enjoyed the hours as far as being able to do it online. That was very helpful for me. I was able to still work and I also started working as a substitute teacher to get more experience.”
Crystal, 2015 Graduate
FACULTY
Visit our faculty page to view current education program instructors.
RELATED PROGRAMS
Special Education – Low Incidence
Special Education – High Incidence
Curriculum and Instruction
MASTER OF TEACHING PROGRAM DETAILS
The master of arts in teaching degree provides graduate courses toward Kansas teacher licensure for grades 6-12. Individuals who have a bachelor’s (or higher) degree in a subject area where Kansas has secondary (grades 6-12) teaching licensure may be eligible for the program. The following content areas are available: biology, chemistry, English, history/social sciences, mathematics, and speech/theatre.
The graduate program can enable licensure for grades K-12 for those with a bachelor’s (or higher) degree in music or physical education. The graduate program does not include a pathway to early childhood or elementary licensure. A transcript review is conducted to determine if additional undergraduate courses may be needed to meet Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) content standards associated with a teaching license.
Two pathways to licensure exist within the M.A.T program: restricted and traditional. Candidates pursuing the M.A.T. under the restricted pathway have been hired to teach in their content area and will pursue the M.A.T degree and initial teaching license simultaneously. The traditional pathway allows students to pursue licensure and employment as classroom teachers after achieving their graduate degree.
Anyone interested in the program who resides in a state other than Kansas must check with that state’s department of education to determine specific licensure requirements for teaching within that state and the acceptability of out-of-state licensure.
Admission Process
- Complete graduate application forms
- Provide current resume
- Submit two professional letters of recommendation (at least one from a current or former employer)
- Turn in one-page personal essay
- Submit unofficial transcript from a bachelor’s degree-granting institution. Official transcripts must be received within 8 weeks following the start of class.
- Baccalaureate (or higher) degree in a subject area where Kansas has secondary (grades 6-12) licensure available
- Passing Praxis II test scores in the content area for which licensure is being sought
- Declare intent to seek, or not to seek, restricted teaching license/employment as a classroom teacher
Core Major Requirements
EDUC512: Action Research
This course will introduce students to action research, a form of self‐reflective systematic inquiry by practitioners on their own practice. The primary objective of the course is to prepare students to do action research in schools. There are three other goals: 1) the development of professional community; 2) the illumination of power relationships; and 3) students’ recognition of their own expertise.
EDUC524: Introduction to Special Education
Designed to provide an overview of the fields of behavior disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation for present and future teachers, school psychologists, administrators, counselors, and other professionals preparing to work with students with mild disabilities. Emphasis on causes, identification, classification, characteristics, and recent trends and issues.
EDUC526: Classroom Management
A study of behavior of children and youth with emphasis on the diagnosis and modification of problematic behaviors.
EDUC549: Race, Class and Power in Schools
Students will explore theoretical frameworks for understanding cultural difference as it impacts teaching and learning in the classroom. They will examine ways to provide equity in education for all students.
EDUC601: Seminar
An introductory and exploratory course for those considering education as a career. The course is designed to assist each prospective teacher in gaining a valid and comprehensive knowledge of what is involved in a teaching career. Emphasis is placed upon use of Blackboard, IQ Web, program assessments, field experiences, Praxis II exams, and personal involvement in planning an effective and successful career in education.
EDUC602: Education Foundations
This course explores the historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education to guide interaction with all students, colleagues, parents, and community members in a manner that demonstrates respect for them as persons as well as guide instruction, educational practices, and decision making to support policies, practices, and legal requirements that promote student welfare and development. .
EDUC603: Educational Psychology/ Learning Theories
This course explores concepts and distinctions imperative to apply learning theories from theory to practical application. Each theory is uniquely derived from a time period and vision of the theorist. Each learning theory will allow students to explore how to properly implement the theory and use it as an instructional process. Through the in depth analysis, students will have a better understanding on how to improve classroom practice and student learning.
EDUC604: Content Area Literacy
A course on content‐based literacy designated to encompass study skills, concept development, reading comprehension strategies, and critical thinking. This course presents the area of reading demands of content subjects and the need shown by a diverse population of students. This course will serve as a basis for new teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and enable higher‐order thinking to be present in schools today. This course focuses on each aspect of reading, but more specifically on comprehension. Reading, interpretation, and visualization will be key components to have cohesion exist among content areas within education.
EDUC605: Teaching in the Content Areas
Course will assist prospective teachers in developing the skills necessary for utilizing teaching strategies in the middle and secondary school environment. Students will study new and traditional methods in teaching middle and secondary education. Special attention will be given to research in selecting materials, use of proper strategies, assessment, delineating information, and cooperative learning.
EDUC606: Teaching Methods
Course focuses on the development of professional teaching skills for the secondary and middle school teacher, including: a personal philosophy of education; classroom management procedures; a discipline plan; instructional methods and strategies; program, course, unit, and lesson planning; awareness of current trends in education; and assessment/evaluation strategies. During this semester, students complete their professional portfolio and make application for student teaching placement. This course is taken immediately prior to student teaching.
Field Experience
EDUC607: Student Teaching
Clinical experiences in the public schools for teacher licensure candidates .Student teaching is a 14‐week full time teaching experience. Concurrent enrollment with EDUC 609
Or
EDUC608: Restricted Licensure Practicum
This course provides restricted licensures students with supervised practice throughout the teacher education program until they obtain their initial license. May be repeated for credit six times.
And
EDUC609: Teacher Portfolio
Course is a collection of candidate assignments over the program aligned with the 13 professional standards. The course also requires candidates to complete a Kansas Performance Assessment during student teaching. Restricted licensure candidates complete this course during their last semester of courses.
Electives
EDUC610: Lifespan Development Psychology
Course focuses on human development throughout the lifespan, from birth to death. Students will examine central concepts related to parameters of human development, individual and social, which arise throughout the life span, as well as continuity and change within the developing individual.
Or
EDUC518: Educational Practice and Innovation
Develops an understanding of the context and nature of educational practice and innovation in schools and classrooms; identifies different forms of innovation in learning and teaching and enables teachers to take a critical approach to integrating innovative practices; enables informed judgments and critical thinking in the context of educational practice.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the specific program requirements for the master’s program
- Have an overall grade point average of 3.0, with no grade below a C (2.0)
- Complete a minimum of 36 credit hours
All degree requirements are subject to change. Please see Southwestern College Catalog for the most current degree requirements.
*Online courses are six weeks long with the exception of some RN to BSN and Education courses. Please review the course catalogs for more information.