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72 | COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2016-2017 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING
EARLY CHILDHOOD & ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Overview
In keeping with the institutional mission of Columbia International University, the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program
seeks to create a learning environment that provides models, growth experiences, and communities of practice for equipping
discerning Christian educators who make wise decisions as they create effective learning communities. Early childhood and
elementary school curricula are addressed.
Students (referred to as candidates) completing the specified requirements will be recommended for initial teacher licensure
in South Carolina, which has a reciprocal agreement with most other states. Since licensure requirements vary from state
to state, candidates are advised to make themselves familiar with the requirements of the states in which they may want to
teach. Candidates completing the program requirements will be eligible for recommendation for initial South Carolina
licensure in Early Childhood (PreK-3 rd grade) and Elementary (2nd-6th grade). Candidates will also be recommended for
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certification.
As candidates journey through the M.A.T. program, seven milestones (specific points in the learning journey where
competencies will have been met) serve as opportunities for evaluation and planning. These milestones are:
• Milestone 1: Program Admission
• Milestone 2: Involved Learner Review
• Milestone 3: Effective Practitioner Review
• Milestone 4: Authentic Professional Review
• Milestone 5: Clinical Practice/Student Teaching Admission
• Milestone 6: Clinical Practice/Student Teaching Exit
• Milestone 7: Graduation
Specific dates, deadlines, and competencies for each milestone are detailed in the M.A.T. Candidate Handbook.
Objectives
Candidates will demonstrate that they are becoming discerning educators when they show they are:
• Learners who know content, children, and pedagogy.
• Designers who demonstrate effective planning and preparation for instruction.
• Presenters who model effective educational methodology, communication, and technology techniques.
• Evaluators who assess, diagnose, and monitor individual needs to implement differentiated instructional
opportunities.
• Managers who create and effectively manage a nurturing environment.
• Partners who collaborate with the child, family, community, and other professionals.
• Professionals who are committed, reflective model educators who learn from experience and contribute to the
profession.
Admission Requirements
In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements, students applying to the M.A.T. program must meet the
following conditions. Requirements 1, 2, and 3 must be met prior to acceptance into the program. Requirement 4 must be
met prior to enrolling in M.A.T. methods courses. Requirement 5 must be met prior to clinical practice/student teaching.
Students and prospective candidates may register for up to 14 semester hours prior to being fully admitted into the M.A.T.
program. Only students fully admitted to the M.A.T. program may register for M.A.T. methods courses, practicum, and
clinical practice/student teaching. Any student accepted on probation will have one semester to qualify for full acceptance.
1. Evidence of the ability to successfully pursue an academic program, as demonstrated by one of the following:
a. A minimum 2.7 GPA for most recent degree obtained.
b. Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores above the 50th percentile (verbal and quantitative) with a
minimum rating of 3.5 on the analytical writing section. (The exam must have been taken within the last five
years. Information on test sites and registration is available directly from ETS at .)
2. Basic academic proficiency, as demonstrated by one of the following:
a. Official score of 1100 or higher on the two-part SAT, 1650 or higher on the three-part SAT, or 24 or higher on
the ACT. (The exam must have been taken within the last five years.)
b. Official Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) report with prescribed minimum scores: Reading
156, Writing 162, and Math 150. (The exam must have been taken within the last five years. Information on test
sites and registration is available directly from ETS at . CIU code is 5116.)