The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is an initial teaching certification program that prepares those with non-education related bachelor's degrees to become certified teachers. The curriculum provides comprehensive preparation including theories of behavior and learning styles, effective models of teaching, classroom management strategies, and analysis of student data to inform instructional practice.
Maryland Educator Certification Areas
- Art (PreK-12)
- Music (PreK-12)
- World Languages (PreK-12)
- Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
- Elementary Education (1-6)
- Special Education (1-8)
- Special Education (6-Adult)
- Secondary Education (7-12) in the following content areas:
- Business Education
- Computer Studies
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Theater
State Certification Requirements
In order to meet state certification requirements, you must successfully complete the coursework, internship, ePortfolio and Praxis II exams in the area of certification. During the internship semester, you will also complete an edTPA portfolio to be submitted for national scoring.
Some certification areas also have specific prerequisite course requirements. If you are interested in a particular certification area, but are not sure if your educational background meets the prerequisite requirements, contact gradedu@ndm.edu for a transcript review before applying.
Dual Certifications
Unlike many other teacher preparation programs, many of our program completers are certified in multiple content areas.
Dual or multiple certifications also increase the marketability of our graduates, furthering opportunities for meaningful employment.
Types of Dual Certifications Available
- Art/Music/World Languages and Special Education
- Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education
- Early Childhood Education and Special Education
- Elementary Education and Special Education
- Secondary Education and Special Education
Additional Study Options
Certification in Art/Music/World Languages
Required Courses
EDU 519 - Human Development and Learning
EDU 556 - Technology for Instruction and Management
SPE 526 - Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
EDU 604 - Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar OR EDU 543 - Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 552 - Global Perspectives in Education
EDU 544 - Educational Assessment
EDU 580 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas Part I
EDU 551 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas Part II
EDU 538 - English Language Learners for the Classroom Teacher
Select One Methods of Teaching in Secondary School Course
EDU-530 - Art
EDU-532 - World Language
Note: A methods course for music candidates will be chosen in collaboration with an academic advisor.
Internship Requirements (Select One)
EDU 605 - Internship: Teaching Art OR
EDU 601 - Internship: Teaching in Secondary School (music and world languages)
Certification in Early Childhood Education
Required Courses
EDU 519 - Human Development and Learning
EDU 556 - Technology for Instruction and Management
SPE 526 - Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
EDU 604 - Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar OR EDU 543 - Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 509 - Processes and Acquisition of Reading
EDU 510 - Elementary Reading Materials
EDU 511 - Assessment of Reading
EDU 542 - Instruction in Reading
EDU 592 - Mathematics in the Elementary School
EDU 515 - Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education
EDU 538 - English Language Learners for the Classroom Teacher
Internship Requirements
EDU 603 - Internship: Early Childhood
EDU 602 - Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School (required for dual certification with elementary education)
Certification in Elementary Education
Required Courses
EDU 519 - Human Development and Learning
EDU 556 - Technology for Instruction and Management
SPE 526 - Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
EDU 604 - Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar OR EDU 543 - Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 509 - Processes and Acquisition of Reading
EDU 510 - Elementary Reading Materials
EDU 511 - Assessment of Reading
EDU 542 - Instruction in Reading
EDU 513 - Science and Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDU 592 - Mathematics in the Elementary School
EDU 538 - English Language Learners for the Classroom Teacher
Internship Requirements
EDU 602 - Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School
Certification in Secondary Education
Required Courses
EDU 519 - Human Development and Learning
EDU 556 - Technology for Instruction and Management
SPE 526 - Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
EDU 604 - Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar OR EDU 543 - Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 552 - Global Perspectives in Education
EDU 544 - Educational Assessment
EDU 580 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas Part I
EDU 551 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas Part II
EDU 538 - English Language Learners for the Classroom Teacher
Select One Methods of Teaching in Secondary School Course
EDU 531 - English
EDU 533 - Mathematics
EDU 537 - Science
EDU 539 - Social Studies
Note: A methods course for business, computer science, and theatre candidates will be chosen in collaboration with an academic advisor.
Internship Requirements (Select One)
EDU 601 - Internship: Teaching in Secondary School
Certification in Special Education Grades 1-8
Required Courses
EDU 519 - Human Development and Learning
EDU 556 - Technology for Instruction and Management
SPE 526 - Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
EDU 604 - Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar OR EDU 543 - Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 509 - Processes and Acquisition of Reading
EDU 510 - Elementary Reading Materials
EDU 511 - Assessment of Reading
EDU 542 - Instruction in Reading
EDU 592 - Mathematics in the Elementary School (required for dual certification with elementary education)
EDU 538 - English Language Learners for the Classroom Teacher
SPE 544 - Special Education Assessment
SPE 546 - Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs
SPE 570 - Individualizing the Curriculum: Strategies for Holistic Intervention
SPE 576 - Communication Skills for the School-based Professional
Internship Requirements
SPE 601 - Internship: Teaching in Special Education
EDU 602 - Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School (required for dual certification with elementary education)
Certification in Special Education Grades 6-Adult
Required Courses
EDU 519 - Human Development and Learning
EDU 556 - Technology for Instruction and Management
SPE 526 - Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
EDU 604 - Analytic, Reflective and Research Seminar OR EDU 543 - Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 53(_) - Methods of Teaching in Secondary School (required if pursuing a dual certification in special education and a secondary content area – take the course matching the content area)
EDU 580 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas Part I
EDU 551 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas Part II
EDU 538 - English Language Learners for the Classroom Teacher
SPE 543 - Special Education Assessment
SPE 546 - Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs
SPE 571 - Vocational Skills
SPE 576 - Communication Skills for the School-based Professional
Internship Requirements
SPE 601 - Internship: Teaching in Special Education
EDU 601 - Internship: Teaching in Secondary School (required for dual certification with secondary education)
Outcomes
Student Outcomes
As a student in this program, you will be able to:
- Use the knowledge of students to inform your teaching practice.
- Plan assessments to monitor and support student learning
- Demonstrate skill in checking for student understanding and using feedback to assess
- Utilize formative and summative assessments to inform your instructional practice
- Deepen student learning by providing scaffolded opportunities for higher level, deeper learning.
Program Outcomes
At the completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Pass all national testing requirements, as applicable, achieving a 100% pass rate for NDMU.
- Enhance career and professional development opportunities for employment pathways in the profession, e.g., elementary or secondary education teacher, highly qualified with a dual or triple certification, professional developer, preparation for teaching in higher education, etc.
- Document an ability to design a thorough lesson plan that addresses the needs of all students and which provides for both formative and summative measurable student outcomes.
- Utilize classroom management skills to effectively engage students and maximize learning opportunities for all students.
http://catalog.ndm.edu/graduate-catalog/school-of-education/ma-in-teaching
What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University
With award-winning teacher certification programs nationally recognized by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), you can expect to benefit from small class sizes, expert faculty, and practical field experiences.
Flexible Class Schedules
Work with an advisor to develop a personalized program plan:
- Courses offered in the evenings at times convenient for working adults.
- Occasional courses available on Saturdays or online.
A Better Informed English Teacher
Teaching (MAT), English Literature
Beyond the opportunity to simply read and discuss great works of literature, my studies in the English Literature program at NDMU have encouraged me to read diverse literature and perspectives with my own students. It also strengthened my understanding of literary periods and critical analysis practices to become a better informed teacher. I often find myself pulling from class notes, text selections, and project ideas from my course work to integrate into the lessons I create and teach.
Internship Opportunities
As part of the program requirements, you will complete a one year internship taken at the end of the program which includes a part-time observation experience during the fall and a full-time student teaching experience in the spring.
During the internship year, you will receive support from a mentor teacher and an internship supervisor.
Education Careers
Graduates of NDMU are highly recruited for employment; we partner with local school systems to help our students navigate the hiring process.
See Our Award-Winning Teachers
Maryland Teacher Shortage Areas
Notre Dame offers more programs in critical shortage areas (PDF) than any other institution in Maryland. By providing programs in these much-needed areas, we help our local schools systems find new teachers and our graduates find teaching jobs.
For the 2017-2018 school year, the declared critical shortage areas are:
- Family and Consumer Sciences, Technology Education (not offered at NDMU)
- Computer Science (Grades 7–12)
- English (Grades 7–12)
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (Pre-K–Grade 12)
- Mathematics (Grades 7–12)
- Middle School Education in English, Math, Science and Social Studies (Grades 4-9)
- Science Areas (Grades 7–12) Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Physical Science, Physics
- Special Education Areas Generic: Elementary (Grades 1-8) and Secondary/Adult (Grade 6–Adult)
- World Language Areas (Pre-K–Grade 12) French, Spanish
- Art (Pre-K–Grade 12)
- Dance (not offered at NDMU)
