Graduate Programs > Majors and Programs > Master of Arts in Teaching Program Details

Master of Arts in Teaching Program Details

The Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education prepares caring, effective educators in the Catholic liberal arts tradition of Bellarmine University to teach and lead in diverse settings. The Master of Arts in Teaching programs offer a best practice, research-based curriculum with a foundation in the liberal arts. Candidates demonstrate proficient to distinguished performance through the following criteria: individual course assessments, field and clinical evaluations, disposition assessments, benchmark assessments, and standardized exams.

Early Elementary Education, Grades P-5

Degree Requirements

The student may choose to enroll in the additional courses needed to complete a dual certification in Elementary (P-5) and LBD (P-12). The LBD option may not be completed as a single initial certification program.
Successful completion of one 36 hour minimum liberal studies emphasis area prior to enrolling in the MAT program, or completing the designated coursework as part of his/her MAT program of studies prior to the start of the Professional Semester.
A program of study which includes all the required coursework with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
A program of study which includes at least 36 hours of coursework at the 500 or 600 level.
At least 30 semester hours of graduate credit earned in residence at Bellarmine.
Successful completion of 200 clock hours of field experience prior to the Professional Semester.
Successful completion of all Benchmark, Disposition and Performance Assessments.
Completion of all degree work within six years of the applicant’s first enrollment in his/her program.

I: Foundations and Tools: MAT. 501, 520, 525
Module I provides a foundation experience regarding the profession of teaching, the American Common School, the nature and needs of today’s students, and early elementary education. During the first week of Module I, the student is introduced to the Continuous Assessment Program for the Accelerated MAT Program and the Kentucky Teacher Standards. Admission to Teacher Education occurs at the end of Module I (and prior to Module II). The appropriate Praxis II tests must be passed prior to the end of the first module. Field placement – 67 hours.

II: Literacy and Pedagogy: MAT. 535, 540, 550
Module II is designed to present an integrated experience regarding literacy including reading, language arts, and literature for children. The student will be introduced to a range of effective teaching behaviors, which have a research and/or theoretical foundation. Module II will also extend the student’s knowledge of curriculum questions in early elementary education and students with special needs. Field placement – 67 hours.

The completion of these courses addresses the following Kentucky Teacher Standards

Knowledge of Content
Designs and Plans Instruction
Implements/Manages Instruction
Creates and Maintains a Learning Climate
Assesses and Communicates Learning Results
Demonstrates Implementation of Technology
Reflects/Evaluates Teaching/Learning
Collaborates with Colleagues/Others
Engages in Professional Development
Provides Leadership within School/Community/ Profession

Middle School Education, Grades 5-9

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of one (or two) twenty-four (24) hour minimum content area specializations prior to enrolling in the MAT, or completing the designated coursework as part of his/her MAT program of studies prior to the start of the Professional Semester. Students may select one (or two) of the following areas: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies or a student may select one of these content areas with Learning and Behavior Disorders. Learning and Behavior Disorders may not be completed as a single initial certification area.
A program of study which includes all the required coursework with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
A program of study that includes 36 - 39 hours of coursework at the 500 or 600 level.
At least 30 semester hours of graduate credit earned in residence at Bellarmine.
Successful completion of 200 clock hours of field experience prior to the Professional Semester.
Successful completion of all Benchmark, Disposition and Performance Assessments.
Completion of all degree work within six years of the applicant’s first enrollment in his/her program.

I: Foundations of Education: MAT. 501, 502, 505, 509
Module I provides a comprehensive overview of the historical, philosophical and political development of middle and secondary education. Students will explore effective classroom management techniques with an emphasis on the importance of the culture of the classroom and students with special needs. Admission to Teacher Education occurs at the end of Module I and prior to Module II. The appropriate Praxis II tests must be passed prior to the end of the first module. Field placement – 67 hours.

II: Sociocultural Studies in Education: MAT. 605, 610
Student will explore theories on learning styles of the nature and needs of typical, gifted and special needs individuals. This module uses case studies to examine issues of recognizing, accepting and affirming diversity and parent/school/community issues. Field placement – 67 hours.

III: Research and Technology: MAT. 600, 614, 615
Module III is a comprehensive overview and analysis of adolescent development and a developmentally appropriate approach to teaching adolescents. It is a module that integrates research methodology and technology across the curriculum.

IV: Middle School Pedagogy: MAT. 545 and Methods course(s)
This module will focus specifically on reading skills and strategies in the content areas. Specific content methods will explore content curriculum and teaching methods in the middle grades. Field placement – 67 hours.

V: Professional Semester: MAT. 643, 644
The student engages in a minimum of 14 weeks (70 instructional days) of full-time supervised teaching in a middle school setting using the Kentucky Teacher Standards (1-10) as the referent for successful completion of the Professional Semester. Several workshops or seminars typically on a variety of topics such as classroom organization and management will be required during the Professional Semester. Topical seminars allow students time to share and process their experiences, help develop their practical understanding of teaching, and enable them to connect theoretical knowledge to the realities of classroom events. Application for certification with the state of Kentucky requires the successful completion of all appropriate PRAXIS II exams.

The completion of these courses addresses the following Kentucky Teacher Standards

Knowledge of Content
Designs and Plans Instruction
Implements/Manages Instruction
Creates and Maintains a Learning Climate
Assesses and Communicates Learning Results
Demonstrates Implementation of Technology
Reflects/Evaluates Teaching/Learning
Collaborates with Colleagues/Others
Engages in Professional Development
Provides Leadership within School/Community/ Profession

Secondary Education, Grades 8-12

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of one thirty-six (36) hour minimum content area specialization prior to enrolling in the MAT program, or completing the designated coursework as part of his/her MAT program of studies prior to the start of the Professional Semester. Students must select one of the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, Social Studies or Mathematics. The student may choose to enroll in Secondary and Learning and Behavior Disorders. The LBD option may not be completed as a single initial certification program.
A program of study which includes all the required coursework with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
A program of study that includes at least 36 hours of coursework at the 500 or 600 level.
At least 30 semester hours of graduate credit earned in residence at Bellarmine.
Successful completion of 200 clock hours of field experience prior to the Professional Semester.
Successful completion of all Benchmark, Disposition and Performance Assessments.
Completion of all degree work within six years of the applicant’s first enrollment in his/her program.

I: Foundations of Education: MAT. 501, 502, 507, 509
Module I provides a comprehensive overview of the historical, philosophical and political development of middle and secondary education. Students will explore effective classroom management techniques with an emphasis on the importance of the culture of the classroom and students with special needs. Admission to Teacher Education occurs at the end of Module I and prior to Module II. The appropriate Praxis II tests must be passed prior to the end of the first module. Field placement – 67 hours.

II: Sociocultural Studies in Education: MAT. 605, 610
Module II further develops the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors introduced in Module I. The student will explore theories on learning styles of the nature and needs of typical, gifted and special needs individuals. This module uses case studies to examine issues of recognizing, accepting and affirming diversity and parent/school/community issues. Field placement – 67 hours.

IV: Secondary Pedagogy: MAT. 545 and Methods course
This module will focus specifically on reading skills and strategies in the content areas. Specific content methods will explore content curriculum and teaching methods in the secondary grades. Field placement – 67 hours.

V: Professional Semester: MAT. 648, 649
The student engages in a minimum of 14 weeks (70 instructional days) of full-time supervised teaching in a secondary school setting using the Kentucky Teacher Standards (1-10) as the referent for successful completion of the Professional Semester. Several workshops or seminars typically on a variety of topics such as classroom organization and management will be required during the Professional Semester. Topical seminars allow students time to share and process their experiences, help develop their practical understanding of teaching, and enable them to connect theoretical knowledge to the realities of classroom events. Application for certification with the state of Kentucky requires the successful completion of all appropriate PRAXIS II exams.

The completion of these courses addresses the following Kentucky Teacher Standards:

Knowledge of Content
Designs and Plans Instruction
Implements/Manages Instruction
Creates and Maintains a Learning Climate
Assesses and Communicates Learning Results
Demonstrates Implementation of Technology
Reflects/Evaluates Teaching/Learning
Collaborates with Colleagues/Others
Engages in Professional Development
Provides Leadership within School/Community/ Profession

Religious Education, Grades 6-12

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of one eighteen (18) credit hour minimum specialization in identified Religious Studies and/or Theology courses prior to enrolling in the MAT program, or completing the designated coursework as part of his/her MAT program of studies and prior to the start of the Professional Semester.
A program of study which includes all the required coursework with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
A program of study that includes at least 36 hours of coursework at the 500 or 600 level.
At least 30 semester hours of graduate credit earned in residence at Bellarmine.
Successful completion of 200 clock hours of field experience prior to the Professional Semester.
Successful completion of all Benchmark, Disposition and Performance Assessments.
Completion of all degree work within six years of the applicant’s first enrollment in his/her program.

IV: Secondary Pedagogy: MAT. 545 and Religion Methods course MAT. 599
This module will focus specifically on reading skills and strategies in the content areas. Specific content methods will explore content curriculum and teaching religion in the middle/secondary grades. Field placement – 67 hours.

V: Professional Semester: MAT. 643, 649
The student engages in a minimum of 14 weeks (70 instructional days) of full-time supervised teaching of Religion in a middle school and a secondary school setting using the Kentucky Teacher Standards (1-10) as the referent for successful completion of the Professional Semester. Several workshops or seminars typically on a variety of topics such as classroom organization and management will be required during the Professional Semester. Topical seminars allow students time to share and process their experiences, help develop their practical understanding of teaching, and enable them to connect theoretical knowledge to the realities of classroom events. Completion of these courses addresses all Kentucky Teacher Standards but will NOT lead to a state issued teaching license. All field work will be completed in faithbased schools by observing and practicing the teaching of Religion. Individuals from various religious traditions wishing to study in this program and seek employment in Catholic or other faith-based schools as teachers of Religious Education are encouraged to apply.

Alternate Route to Teacher Certification (Option VI)

In conjunction with the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, the Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education at Bellarmine University has developed an alternative option to obtain teacher certification (Option VI) and complete the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. The student pursuing this route must be fully admitted to graduate study, and have passed the PRAXIS II tests appropriate for the teaching field. The alternative route to certification will follow the standard Bellarmine MAT with some conditions. The student must be enrolled in consecutive semesters and must be employed by a school district as a teacher of record. The temporary provisional license is a one year certificate which must be renewed by the School of Education in collaboration with school districts. The alternative route requires that all coursework and PRAXIS exams be successfully completed by the end of the Professional Semester within the first two years. A final recommendation for the full Professional Certificate will occur upon successful completion of the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP). State regulations do not allow for extensions or exceptions to the time constraints for the completion of the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification.

Advantage: Students fully admitted and in good standing may be considered for hire under the alternative license at various stages of the program. Employment as a classroom teacher is not required by the end of the first semester for program progression, although an offer of employment is necessary to obtain the teaching credential. Students hold a Temporary Provisional Teaching Certificate, resulting in Rank III pay. Rank II pay will be achieved at the completion of the final semester and awarding of the MAT degree.

How long will it take? One and one-half to two years to earn the MAT degree and Rank II pay. Students will hold a Temporary Provisional Certificate during the course of their MAT program and are eligible for hire as a full-time teacher of record. The KY Teacher Internship Program (KTIP) will begin after the Professional Semester. Students in the traditional MAT program could finish the program in five semesters and then be eligible for hire as a full-time instructor.

Current School of Education agreement with Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB)

Temporary-provisional licenses are issued for one year. Candidates may be eligible to renew this license for one additional year if all criteria are met. (A maximum of two years).
Upon successful completion of all MAT program requirements and graduation, candidates are recommended to begin KTIP.
Candidates must meet the clinical requirements of our MAT program (field hours and professional semester).
Candidates choosing Learning Behavior Disorders must complete it as a dual certification. All LBD requirements must be completed by graduation.

Policies to obtain School of Education Recommendation

As stated in 16 KAR 9:080, Section 2 (4) (b), one of the university requirements in conducting an alternative route program is to (b) Provide a candidate written and dated documentation of eligibility for the university alternative certification program so that the candidate may be considered for employment pursuant to KRS 160.345(2)(h).

A. Prior to accepting a teaching position, candidates must have completed the following requirements to ensure compliance with Kentucky regulations and the success of subsequent employment.

Candidates that have completed all academic emphasis course work will have highest consideration. Other candidates must pursue a waiver process.
Candidates must have successfully completed Module I and the requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program and/or must have comparable professional experience, preliminary training, etc. Candidates pursuing special education employment must be enrolled in or have successfully completed one special education course.
Faculty will interview candidates to evaluate readiness for classroom teaching and receptiveness to university mentoring. Evidence of readiness may include observation/ videos of teaching, field evaluations, etc.
The Dean will provide final recommendation for a temporary-provisional license.

B. Other requirements

Candidates must maintain continuous enrollment at Bellarmine in order to receive mentoring services for alternative certification. This includes MAT Modules and special education coursework. Enrollment in academic emphasis course work at other institutions is not considered ‘continuous enrollment.’
The candidate must provide written notification within 5 business days of any change in employment including resignation, termination, teaching assignment, etc.

Procedure for Admission

Complete and submit a graduate application.
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $40 (unless a Bellarmine alumna/e). Checks should be made payable to Bellarmine University.
Final official transcript(s) from each college or university attended should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission and not be marked “Issued to Student”.
A letter of intent (2 pages) to pursue the graduate degree including the applicant’s professional goals and a rationale for applying.
Two completed recommendation forms from an individual who has supervised the applicant in some capacity attesting to the applicant’s potential as a graduate student (not personal recommendation), such as current/past employers, or former professors. Forms are included in this packet.
Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or PPST (Praxis I) scores mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Admission.
If your undergraduate degree is from an international institution, you were born outside the United States, or English is your second language, you will be required to submit an official TOEFLiBT (internet-based test) score and receive a total score of 80 or higher on the internetbased TOEFL (reading, listening, writing, and 26 on speaking). We will also consider an equivalent score on the IELTS or MELAB tests. The Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee reserves the right to request a TOEFL score from any applicant.
If any transcript(s) or undergraduate degree(s) are from an international institution you must provide an official copy of a third party course by course credential evaluation. The following organizations offer this service and information regarding processes and fees are available at: www.aacrao.org, www.wes.org and www.ece.org. The Office of Graduate Admission reserves the right to request a certified copy of the original transcript(s).
Once completed, mail the application to:
Bellarmine University
Office of Graduate Admission
2001 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40205

Priority Admission Deadlines

Priority application dates are August 1 for a fall semester start, December 5 for the spring semester start and April 12 for the summer semester start. Applications submitted after these dates will be considered on a space available basis.

International Applicants

Please complete the items under Procedure for Admission and submit the following: U.S. law requires financial statements from a bank or other financial institution certifying the student’s ability to fund the cost of attendance for one academic year minus the amount of any scholarship dollars received. Figures should be in U.S. dollars and must be certified as an official document by the bank or financial institution. A sponsor may be used if the sponsor attaches a signed affidavit stating that he/she will financially support the student until completion of a degree at Bellarmine University. If a sponsor is used, the sponsor’s bank statement should accompany the letter. The amount that would need to be shown by program include: MAT without the LBD certification $39,476, MAT with LBD certification $42,506. These amounts include tuition and fees associated with per semester costs for one year and an average cost for living expenses, books, supplies, health insurance, transportation and personal expenses.

Program Cost

Graduate Tuition Rates

Financial Aid

For information on financial aid, click here.

Contact

Theresa Klapheke, Graduate Admission Officer
502.272.8271 or tklapheke@bellarmine.edu

Office of Graduate Admission
502.272.7200 or 1.800.274.4723 x7200
or gradadmissions@bellarmine.edu