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: