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Master of Arts in Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching

Mission

To develop competent, reflective educators and administrators who can successfully teach and lead a diverse population in a complex and changing world

Vision

To be the premier Teacher Education program in the four-state area

About the Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching program provides professionals with a previous bachelor’s degree an opportunity to seek teacher certification by expanding their knowledge in education, improving their practice, and learning how to plan and implement curriculum. As part of this program, students complete 37 credit hours which include embedded clinical field experiences. Faculty members who teach in the MAT program are experienced educational leaders and content specialists. Currently, students can seek certification in the following areas through the MAT : Secondary Business, Social Sciences, Math, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics and K-12 Spanish or French.

Master of Arts in Teaching 37 credit hours
REQUIRED COURSES  
PSY 510 Educational Psychology 3
EDUC 615 Classroom Management 3*
EDUC 581 Culture and Language Acquisition 3
EDUC 630 Assessment of Student Learning 3
EDUC 650 Research Design 3
EDUC 622 Content Area Literacy 3
EDUC 625 Advanced Content Area Literacy 3
EDUC 645 Teaching Methods & Instructional Strategies in the Subject Area 3*
EDUC 602 Introduction to High Incidence Exceptional Learners 3
EDUC 632 Critical Issues 1
EDUC 662 Student Teaching - MAT 9*

*Includes an on-site practicum in an area school district

All programs of study are subject to change.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

  1. Complete  application for admission and pay application fee. ( See US Citizens Application )
  2. Possess and earned baccalaureate degree in a related field from an institution accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri Southern State University.
  3. Have your official undergraduate transcript and any graduate program transcripts submitted to the MSSU Admissions office at  admissions@mssu.edu or mailed to Admissions at 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801. Your undergraduate and graduate transcripts must show a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 (2.75 for tentative admission.

The following items will be submitted through the MSSU application portal:

  1. Submit a writing prompt (between 500-1,000 words) that answer the following questions:

Why do you want to become a teacher? Describe a time in which you faced a professional dilemma and explain how you handled the situation. If you founded a university, what are three courses that would be required for all students? Why?  Rubric to score writing prompt

  1. Submit a current resume.
  2. Three professional references are needed. 
  3. A video recording, no longer than 5 minutes, of candidate describing:

Introduction of self
Professional background
Professional goals
Reason for applying to the program
Application materials are due by:

August 1 for the Fall Semester
January 1 for the Spring Semester
May 1 for the Summer Semester

Financial Aid

Students who wish to apply for financial aid for a graduate program should complete the free application for student aid (FAFSA) and list the Missouri Southern State University school code; 002488. For graduate students, 6 to 8 hours is considered part-time and 9 or more hours is considered full time.

Stafford Loans can be used for graduate studies until the award is exhausted, provided the student is degree-seeking.
Lion Pride Tuition: Students in the M.S.Ed. program are eligible for Lion Pride tuition grants in-state tuition to students from Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska and Texas .
TEACH grants are available to eligible graduate students in Teacher Education; however the funding is linked to federal budget funding, so the amount of award funds may fluctuate.

Books and tuition are subject to change each semester. Tuition chart

Tuition

In-State and Lion Pride Tuition - $350 per credit hour

Out of State Tuition - $350 per credit hour

Comprehensive Examination Cost - cost assessed by semester

Other applicable university costs

Steps to Graduation

To ensure timely processing of your graduation application, please be aware of graduation deadlines.

  1. Complete all coursework with a grade of C or better and cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher.
  2. Visit Lionet to submit your electronic graduation application in the term prior to graduation. Go to the Student Quick Links>Student Menu>Student Records>Apply to Graduate. A one-time, graduation cost will be assessed and must be paid, regardless of student participation in the commencement exercise.
  3. Contact your adviser, and they will process your graduation checklist and route it to the Registrar's Office.
  4. After the Graduation Checklist is received by the Registrar, a confirmation email will be sent to your university email account.
  5. If you are attending the ceremony, you will receive a prompt in Lionet to order your cap, gown and hood.
  6. The graduate program student must successfully complete the Comprehensive Final Examination. The Teacher Education Department will notify the student with the specific date and time of the exam.
  7. Complete Department of Teacher Education departmental program exit survey.

Contact Us

For more information contact program coordinator
Dr. Susan Craig
Missouri Southern State University
Gene Taylor Education Building
3950 E Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801
Office: 417-625-9309
Email: tegradprgm@mssu.edu

Welcome to Lion Country! We look forward to working with you.