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Overview Student Teaching
Vision and Theme Time Limitation
Purpose and Unit Outcomes Residency Requirements
Candidate Proficiencies Program Completion Requirements
Admission Requirements Graduation Requirements
Course of Study Certification Recommendation Requirements
Milestones  

Overview

In keeping with the institutional mission of Columbia International University, the MAT program seeks to create a learning environment that provides models, growth experiences, and communities of practice for equipping Christian educators who make wise decisions as they create effective learning communities. The entire early childhood and elementary school curriculua are addressed. Content knowledge is a prerequisite for methodology courses.

Students completing the specified requirements will be recommended for teacher certification in South Carolina, which has a reciprocal agreement with many other states. Since certification requirements vary from state to state, students are advised to make themselves familiar with the requirements of the states in which they may want to teach. The program also meets the certification requirements of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

The MAT program is also designed to meet the timing needs of individuals. Students may begin the course of study at the beginning of fall or spring semester. The program requires four terms of full-time study to complete (fall, spring, summer, fall). Courses are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each day (Monday to Friday) during Blocks I and II (see catalog descriptions). The MAT Program Director is available to assist students in planning their degree programs.

Students completing the program requirements will be eligible for recommendation for South Carolina certification in the following areas: Early Childhood (PK-3) and Elementary (2-6).

Annual statistics concerning the program are presented in the  Title II Institutional Report . The report is in PDF format and Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the report. If you do not already have Acrobat Reader, you may get the Acrobat Reader free download here.

Vision and Theme

Equipping Discerning Educators: We envision a learning environment that provides models, growth experience, and communities of practice for equipping Christian educators who make wise decisions as they create effective learning communities.

Purpose and Unit Outcomes

We strive to produce Christian educators who are
                involved LEARNERS,
                effective COMMUNICATORS, and
                authentic PROFESSIONALS
so they can make wise decisions as they create effective learning communities.

Candidate Proficiencies

Candidates will demonstrate that they are becoming "Discerning Educators" when they demonstrate the compentencies that show they are:
  1. Learners who know content, children, and pedagogy.
  2. Planners who demonstrate effective planning and preparation for instruction.
  3. Presenters who model effective educational methodology and communication techniques.
  4. Evaluators who assess, diagnose, and monitor individual needs to implement differentiated instructional opportunities.
  5. Managers who create and effectively manage a nurturing environment.
  6. Partners who collaborate with the child, family, community, and other professionals.
  7. Professionals who are committed, reflective, model educators who learn from experience and contribute.

Admission Requirements

Students must fulfill specific admission, undergraduate background content course, and foundational Bible/theology course prerequisite requirements prior to admission or student teaching placement (see Admissions for detailed information).

Course of Study

MAT students must complete all MAT courses as listed in the MAT Course of Study. Students may enter at either the fall or spring terms.

 
MAT Orientation*+
 0 hours

EDU5101 Program Orientation*
 0

EDU6101 Electronic Portfolio Development*
 0
 
MAT Block I - Teaching and Learning with Literacy and Technology2
 10 hours

EDU5545 Classroom Assessment 2

EDU5619 Teaching Literacy and Technology*
 6

EDU5541 Learning Environment and Classroom Management 2



MAT Block II - Teaching and Learning with Content2
 13 hours

EDU5331 Understanding the Learner*1
 3

EDU5810 Students with Diverse Needs 2

EDU5600 Teaching the Content Areas*
 6

EDU5660 Integrating Enrichment Areas*
 2
 
MAT Block III - Teaching and Learning Foundations3
 11 hours

EDU5440 Teaching Bible
 3

EDU6231 History and Philosophy of Education4 3

EDU7300 Biblical Foundations for Curriculum*1  3

EDU6410 Connecting with Families and Communities
 2
 
MAT Block IV -  Student Teaching5 9 hours

EDU 5931 Student Teaching*
9
 

Total Required Hours with Student Teaching 43 hours

+Must be taken prior to the first semester of enrollment.
*This course must be taken at CIU.
1This course is also available in IDL (independent learning) format through the Distance Education Center, www.ciu.edu/distance.
2Practicum hours are required as part of these courses.
3Courses taken during summer terms require full day attendance.
4In order to be recommended by CIU for ACSI certification this course must be taken at CIU.
5Student teaching will be completed in a Columbia, SC area pubilc school and is full time.

Milestones

As candidates journey through the MAT program, milestones will be reached that will serve as a time for reflection and planning. These will be specific points in their learning journey where competencies will have been met. These milestones are:

       Milestone 1:   Admissions
       Milestone 2:   Involved Learner Review
       Milestone 3:   Effective Communicator Review
       Milestone 4:   Authentic Professional Review
       Milestone 5:   Student Teaching Admission
       Milestone 6:   Student Teaching Exit
       Milestone 7:   Program Completion

Specific dates, deadlines and competencies for each milestone are detailed in the MAT Candidate Tour Book (Hand Book).

Student Teaching (Block IV)

In addition to having completed Milestones 1-4, candidates must have met the following requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 125 practicum hours.
  2. Completion of a Tuberculin Test
  3. FBI fingerprinting and background check completed and approved before student teaching. (Note: Eligible applicants who have prior arrests and/or convictions must undergo a review by the State Board of Education and be approved before being admitted to student teaching.)
  4. Complete Student Teaching Application. (Submitted by eighth week of second ten-week block.)
Student teaching placement will be confirmed by receipt of signed "Student Teaching Contract" which will note candidate's strengths as related to program competencies and areas for improvement. Student teaching placements will be in Columbia, SC area public schools.

Students are not permitted to be employed during student teaching.

Student Teaching Exemption is available for MAT students who have three years teaching experience (within the past seven years and at the level for which certification is sought). Students must request that this experience be considered in lieu of student teaching. Students must provide the following items:
  1. Completed application requesting waiver of student teaching.
  2. Administrator letter(s) verifying at least three years of teaching experience in the level for which certification is sought.
  3. Copies of yearly teaching evaluations for the period of teaching being considered.
  4. Videotape of a classroom teaching experience at the level for which certification is being sought.
Students requesting this exemption should discuss their experience with the MAT Program Director during their first semester of study. Only students granted this exemption may be exempted from MAT Block IV. Students granted this exemption will enroll in EDU6480 Professional Portfolio Development (1).

Residency Requirements

Policies governing transfer credits are outlined in the Admissions section of this catalog. Due to the specific design of the MAT program to meet the Vision of the CIU Professional Education Program, transfer credit will be received on a limited basis and will be no more than 12 hours. Students wishing to receive transfer credit for the MAT program should consult with the Program Director.

Time Limitation

The time limitation for completion of all requirements is five years measured from the date a student enrolls in first MAT Program course. Students are normally expected to complete the program in four consecutive semesters.

Program Completion Requirements

Candidates must successfully satisfy the following requirements in order to complete the MAT  program:
  1. Completion of MAT Milestones 1-6
  2. Completion of MAT Course of Study
  3. Completion of all Bible/theology and content prerequisites
  4. Maintain a grade point average of 2.7 or above and no grade below “C”
  5. Pass the Praxis II required exams by attaining the prescribed South Carolina passing scores (Exams and passing scores will be those required by South Carolina for certification.)
  6. Achieve a grade of at least a “B” in student teaching.
  7. Meet MAT competency standards and electronic portfolio requirements as outlined in the MAT Candidates Tour Book (Handbook)
  8. Completion of required practicum hours.
  9. Transfer of no more than twelve hours (which must be approved) into the program.

Graduation Requirements

Students must satisfy the following requirements in order to graduate:
  1. Completion of Program Completion Requirements as outlined above.
  2. Completion of Graduation Application form. Applications must be received by the Registrar's office by no later than Friday, November 12, for a December 2004 graduation; by Friday, March 18 for a May 2005 graduation (or if walking in May but graduating in August); by no later than Friday, July 8 for an August 2005 graduation, and by no later than Friday, November 11 for a December 2005 grduation.
Note: It is the student's responsibility to be sure that all prerequisite, course and degree requirements are met.

Certification Recommendation Requirements

Students who wish to be recommended for South Carolina state induction-level certification must meet the following requirements:
  1. Complete the MAT Program Completion Requirements.
  2. Have a CIU graduate degree.
  3. Submit an application for induction-level certification to the  Director of Teacher Education Field Experiences.
The application for initial licensure in South Carolina includes a fingerprint review to determine any criminal history, state or federal.

The requirements for a teaching credential in South Carolina are subject to change by the State Board of Education and the South Carolina General Assembly during the period for such credential. The Graduate School, therefore, may revise the teacher education program at any time and cannot assume responsibility for such changes or additional courses that new state standards may require.

Students will be recommended by CIU for Association of Christian Schools International certification when they have:
  1. Completed the MAT Program Completion Requirements.
  2. Completed CIU's History and Philosophy of Education (EDU6230).
  3. Received a CIU graduate degree.
  4. Submitted an application for induction-level certification to the Director of Teacher Education Field Experiences.
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