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83 | COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018│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 (2

nd

-6

th

grade). The state requires the licensure document to

show one level as the first area of certification and the second area as the add-on to the certificate. While initial certification

may be granted in both areas pending successful completion of all requirements, program completers will see Elementary

listed as the first area and Early Childhood listed as the add-on to the certificate. CIU Education Programs are endorsed by

the Higher Education Approval Program (HEAP) of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Program

graduates who meet specific requirements are eligible to apply for appropriate ACSI teacher or administrator

certificates. ACSI waives the certification fee when applying at the time of CIU graduation.

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

www.ets.org .

)

2. Basic academic proficiency, as demonstrated by one of the following: