Program Overview

Teaching is both a science and an art. At its core, the study of education is interdisciplinary, always intertwining the mastery of content knowledge with the practice of teaching pedagogy. The Department of Education offers innovative programs that effectively prepare students to teach in elementary and secondary schools. Programs within the Department provide students with opportunities to extend their liberal arts learning through inquiry into theory and applied research and also provide students with the practical knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become successful collaborative teachers through diverse field experiences in elementary and secondary classrooms.

 
7 Reasons to Teach

1. The opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of children. Research indicates that an effective teacher is the most important factor in students’ academic success. And there is tremendous satisfaction in watching a child discover new learning. As George Washington Carver said, “Education is the key to unlock a golden door of freedom.” 
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2. An outlet for your creativity. The need to engage all students in learning prompts a teacher to be creative in adapting and developing learning activities, and using new technologies allow teachers to bring the world – even the universe – into their classrooms and the lives of their students. Teachers are able to master the art and science of learning. The opportunities for exploring new and exciting ideas and strategies are limitless!
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3. The incentives for continued education and lifelong learning. Good teachers never stop learning and growing, and you can earn pay increases with education and professional development opportunities. There is a career path in educational coaching, curriculum development, leadership, counseling and administration. It all starts here.

4. The portability of the teaching credential. If at some point you choose to leave Louisiana, your teaching credential will allow you to teach in other states and even, in some cases, overseas.

5. The family-friendly work schedule. The daily schedule and school holidays will allow you to spend quality time with your family, and summer vacation will allow you to pursue advanced education, engage in hobbies and other work, and enjoy leisure time.

6. A work environment that is never dull. Teachers will tell you that no two days are ever alike. The variety of people you meet, the new challenges and experiences, the daily discoveries by you and your students, all combine to make teaching an interesting and engaging adventure.

7. The chance to change the future. Everyone remembers a teacher that impacted their lives in a positive way. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to provide students with the encouragement, knowledge and love to achieve their dreams. Christa McAuliffe, American teacher and astronaut said, “I touch the future: I teach.”

2024-2025 MAT Catalogue

View the 2024-2025 catalogue. 

Program Requirements

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Elementary

In order to obtain the M.A.T. in Elementary Education degree, the candidate must complete: a) thirty-six (36) to thirty-nine (39) hours of graduate credit as listed below, and b) certification requirements as listed below:

A. Thirty-six (36) to thirty-nine (39) semester hours as follows:

EDUC 511 – Methods in Elementary Language Arts and Social Studies
EDUC 512 – Methods in Elementary Math and Science
EDUC 516 – Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs
EDUC 519 – Human Growth and Development
EDUC 522 – Classroom Management
EDUC 525 – Theories of Learning
READ 514 – Foundations of Literacy
READ 515 – Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School
READ 516 – The Language-Disordered Child
EDUC 530 – Curriculum
EDUC 580 – Elementary Residency I (3 hours)
EDUC 590 – Elementary Residency II: Student Teaching (6 hours) OR
EDUC 591 – Elementary Residency II: Internship (3 hours)

B. Completion of all certification requirements as follows:

Successfully complete the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching K-6 examination (5622) with a score of at least 160, PRIOR to Residency.
Maintenance of the state-required minimum grade point average (must maintain 3.0 in the graduate program with no grades below C and no more than one C).

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Secondary

Students complete this program with certification to teach grades 6-12 in one of the following areas:

  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • French
  • General Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Social Studies
  • Spanish

In order to obtain the M.A.T. in Secondary Education degree, the candidate must complete: a) thirty-six (36) to thirty-nine (39) hours of graduate credit as listed below, and b) certification requirements as listed below:

A. Thirty-six (36) to thirty-nine (39) semester hours as follows:

EDUC 510 – Testing and Measurement
EDUC 516 – Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs
READ 518 – Reading in the Content Area
EDUC 519 – Human Growth and Development
EDUC 522 – Classroom Management
EDUC 525 – Theories of Learning
EDUC 529 – Secondary Methods
EDUC 530 – Curriculum
EDUC 531 – Curriculum Innovations
EDUC 563 – Philosophy of Education
EDUC 583 – Secondary Residency I (3 hours)
EDUC 593 – Secondary Residency II: Student Teaching (6 hours) OR
EDUC 594 – Secondary Residency II: Internship (3 hours)

B. Completion of all certification requirements as follows:

  • Successfully complete the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching 7-12 examination (5624) with a passing score as set by LDOE, PRIOR to Residency.
  • Maintenance of the state-required minimum grade point average (must maintain 3.0 in the graduate program with no grades below C and no more than one C).

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) K-12 Choral Music

In order to obtain the M.A.T. in Music K-12 degree, the candidate must complete: a) thirty-three (33) to thirty-six (36) hours of graduate credit as listed below, and b) certification requirements as listed below.

A.Thirty-three (33) to thirty-six (36) semester hours as follows:

EDUC 510 – Testing and Measurement
EDUC 516 – Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs
READ 518 – Reading in the Content Area
EDUC 519 – Human Growth and Development
EDUC 522 – Classroom Management
EDUC 525 – Theories of Learning
EDUC 530 – Curriculum
MUS 532 – K-12 Choral Music Methods
EDUC 563 – Philosophy of Education
EDUC 586 – K-12 Residency I (3 hours)
EDUC 596 – K-12 Residency II: Student Teaching (6 hours) OR
EDUC 597 – K-12 Residency II: Internship (3 hours)

B. Completion of all certification requirements as follows:

  • Successfully complete the PRAXIS Principles of Learning and Teaching K-6 examination (5622) OR 7-12 examination (5624) with a passing score as set by LDOE, PRIOR to Residency.
  • Maintenance of the state-required minimum grade point average (must maintain 3.0 in the graduate program with no grades below C and no more than one C).

 

 

 

 

MAT student teaches at new French immersion charter

Centenary MAT and Escadrille Louisiane student, Maggie Bradley, is featured in this story about the new French immersion charter school École Saint-Landry.
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Department of Education

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy The institution does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or on any other basis proscribed by federal, state, or local law.