Education (MAE)

Affiliation: School of Health Sciences & Education

The Department of Education at Truman State University offers the Master of Arts in Education, a professional teaching degree. All prospective teachers enrolling in the professional program must complete a strong liberal arts and sciences baccalaureate degree.

The basic components of the professional teacher preparation program are 1) graduate pedagogical coursework, 2) advanced content in the teaching specialty, 3) the internship experience, and 4) research. Teaching specialties include English, elementary education, exercise science, foreign language (French, Latin, and/or Spanish), mathematics, music, science (biology, chemistry, physics), STEM - mathematics/physics, history/social science, special education, and Speech & Theatre. Students who wish to become teachers should consult their academic advisor and the Department of Education (660-785-4386 or edcertification@truman.edu) as early as possible for information. Many of the courses required for Missouri certification can be met by careful planning of the Dialogues or through electives.

ACCREDITATION

The MAE is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The MAE at Truman received national recognition by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) which advances excellent educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. When an institution is accredited, it has demonstrated that it meets standards set by organizations representing the academic community, professionals, and other stakeholders.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAM

The mission of the Master of Arts in Education Program at Truman State University is to prepare reflective practitioners grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Our practitioners are skilled in bridging theory and practice. They are informed by a well-developed understanding of content, pedagogy, learners, and learning environments. We believe the human condition can be bettered by teaching and learning rooted in caring, innovation, reflection, and research-based practice.

Developing the professional program is marked by strong cooperation with the PK-12 community and based on established education research and essential knowledge of sound professional practice. The program exemplifies an integrated approach to liberal education, professional studies, and specialty studies.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

The Master of Arts in Education program prepares students to become teachers who are proficient in a teaching or specialty field and in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of liberal arts and sciences learning, and who demonstrate skills for effective professional practice. The program objectives are to:

• prepare teachers who are distinguished by their comprehensive liberal arts and sciences learning, during their undergraduate degree program;
• prepare teachers who have mastery of the subject specialization, developed through the baccalaureate degree and through graduate courses and experiences in their chosen teaching field;
• prepare teachers who demonstrate professional skills of high quality, developed through solid professional education curriculum offerings and meaningful clinical and internship experiences;
• prepare reflective teachers who are capable of continually and critically analyzing their own professional performance which allows them to grow in a professional manner;
• prepare teachers who are stimulated to exchange and implement the results of research and new knowledge in the profession;
• prepare teachers who function with competence and confidence in confronting issues of the profession in a pluralistic society characterized by continuous change;
• prepare teachers who have leadership competence in making informed professional judgments;
• prepare candidates who are able to enter doctoral or other professional education programs; and
• prepare teachers who are characterized by habits of life-long learning and who engage in scholarly interaction and further learning experiences.

DIRECT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

For all students earning an undergraduate degree at Truman State University, the Master of Arts in Education degree program for Elementary or Special Education is direct admissions with the following gateways. Entering undergraduate students will be guaranteed admission in the MAE Elementary or Special Education program provide they meet all gateway requirements:

1. Academic plan on file in the Education Department.
2. Grade of B or higher in ED 393  and a Pass grade in ED 394 .
3. Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher must be earned prior to taking ED 608G (Elementary) or SED 608G (Special Education). [Elementary Education students will enroll in ED 608G (4 credit hours) during the spring of their senior year. Whereas Special Education students will enroll in SED 608G during the fall semester after being admitted into the program.]
4. Completed the Direct Admit form in TruView.

After earning an undergraduate degree and meeting all of the gateways listed, the student will become a full-time graduate student in the MAE Elementary or Special Education program.

External Applicants for Elementary and Special Education Programs

Those with an undergraduate degree from another institution seeking initial teaching certification in Elementary or Special Education should apply online as degree-seeking graduate students. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with September 1, October 1, November 1, February 1, March 1, and April 1 application deadlines. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, a personal statement, a resume, and three letters of recommendation, including one that addresses the individual’s ability to work effectively with children in a classroom or related setting. In addition, an interview may be required.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY AND K-12 PROGRAMS

Secondary: English, History/Social Science, Math, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Speech & Theatre

K-12: French, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Spanish 

To apply to the Master of Arts in Education program apply here as a degree-seeking graduate student.

Admission to the Secondary (English, History/Social Science, Math, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Speech & Theatre) and K-12 (French, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Spanish) MAE programs is a multi-step process that involves faculty, Department Chair(s), and of the Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with September 1, October 1, November 1, February 1, March 1, and April 1 application deadlines.

Secondary and K-12 Core Requirements for Admissions are:

1. An undergraduate degree with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA;
2. Three letters of recommendation;
3. Personal statement; and
4. Resume.

In addition, for specialty area admission requirements, please refer to the MAE website: http://education.truman.edu.

STUDENT OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAM

The graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities associated with outstanding performance in the profession of teaching. They exhibit the following characteristics:

1. Competency in the teaching, learning, and evaluation techniques/skills/technology demanded for effective professional practice and performance as a master teacher as assessed by:

1. the state-mandated assessments;
2. the academic record;
3. demonstrated competency in the classroom and school setting;
4. positive recommendations from appropriate professionals.

2. Proficiency in communication skills as demonstrated by:

1. the student’s undergraduate and graduate academic and assessment record;
2. the student’s academic and professional work (e.g., research, papers, digitally recorded sessions, interpersonal skills assessment, and performance in classroom setting).

3. Appropriate depth of knowledge in a specific discipline and mastery of teaching as demonstrated by:

1. the academic record and the graduate grade-point average of 3.00 or above;
2. exemplary performance in the teaching internship;
3. testimony by appropriate participating professionals regarding the integrity of the specialty knowledge and skills;
4. demonstrated growth in the learning and academic achievement of the students taught by the candidate for the professional degree.

4. The skills, breadth of knowledge, and attitudes characteristic of a liberally-educated person as assessed through the university-wide assessment model and the portfolio assessment programs.

5. The ability to conduct professional research and to utilize, with appropriate applications, such research and professional publications as demonstrated through:

1. the research component;
2. independent work and inquiry;
3. faculty and student interaction.

6. The ability to critically analyze student results and make decisions which positively impact future student performance, as demonstrated in the internship and research component.

7. Personal qualities of integrity, courtesy, compassion, and respect for all cultures as assessed through:

1. biographical information;
2. recommendations of participating professionals;
3. other personal skills assessments.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation requirements for candidates of the Master of Arts in Education degree are as follows:

1.  3.0 graduate grade point average in professional education courses and selected content courses;
2. successful completion of the internship;
3. successful completion and approval of (1) case study, (2) thesis, (3) publishable paper, OR (4) action research.

TITLE II NOTICE

Title II of the Higher Education Act requires that every institution of higher education provide certification or licensure assessment of the state in which the institution is located. Additionally, Title II requires that a comparison of each program’s pass rate be made with the average pass rate in the state.

MISSOURI (DESE) AREAS OF CERTIFICATION

The MAE program provides Missouri certification in the following subject areas at the grade levels indicated.

Initial Certification:

Elementary 1-6
K-12

• Exercise Science (Physical Education) K-12
• Health K-12 (additional certification area only)
• Music - Instrumental K-12
• Music - Vocal K-12
• Special Education - Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical K-12
• World Languages - French K-12
• World Languages - Latin K-12
• World Languages - Spanish K-12

Secondary

• Biology 9-12
• Chemistry 9-12
• English 9-12
• Mathematics 9-12
• Physics 9-12
• Social Sciences 9-12
• Speech and Theatre 9-12
• STEM - Mathematics/Physics 9-12

MAE graduates are issued teaching certificates by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Certification requirements differ by program and are listed in the approved DESE certification matrices. Students must earn a 3.00 GPA in professional education courses and specified content area courses to receive initial teacher certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The University, and especially the Department of Education, helps students plan their programs to meet certification requirements.

Missouri DESE Certification Requirements - Undergraduate Courses

Students should be aware of their particular state requirements for teaching certification which can be found here: Pre-Education .

FIELD EXPERIENCES

(required for all students pursuing the MAE)

The field experience component of the MAE program is designed to provide prospective teachers with an incremental set of field experiences. This set of sequential experiences allows the students to see themselves as potential teachers and to observe and participate in the teaching/learning process within the public school setting. Initial experiences are exploratory and descriptive in nature and become increasingly more grade and content specific as the student increases his or her knowledge of theory, pedagogy, and experience.

NOTE: Schools require some or all of the following screenings prior to placement in clinical experiences and/or internships: state and/or federal criminal conviction records, fingerprint record check; TB test results; Family Care Safety Registry Background Check records; liability insurance; and information from references, schools, and employers (for MAE application). Failure to clear any of these screenings may result in not obtaining a recommendation for a substitute teaching certificate/an initial certification, consequently preventing the completion of the internship and graduation from the MAE. For further information, contact the Director of Field Experiences.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: