Master of Arts in Teaching

Professional Educator

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The Master of Arts in Teaching: Professional Educator program is designed for both elementary and secondary educators.  The program of study combines research, best institutional practice, reflective thinking, and technology into a unique learning model.  It consists of two parts - the Professional Foundations Core and the Professional Teaching Core.

 

Prerequisite:

                            Hold an Iowa teaching license

 

Professional Foundations Core:   Total of 18 hours

The Professional Foundations Core represents a broad knowledge base from educational theory, research, and practice.  This coursework includes knowledge, skills, and dispositions representing the five Propositions of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.  All students admitted into the Professional Educator program are required to complete the Professional Foundations Core.  This core includes:

Professional Foundations Core Courses:

EDUC 501	Educational Research	3 hrs.
EDUC 502	Learning in Educational Settings	3 hrs.
EDUC 512	Issues in Education	3 hrs.
EDUC 522	Instructional Technology	3 hrs.
EDUC 610	Reflective Teaching	3 hrs.
EDUC 611	Student Diversity and Educational Practice	3 hrs.

 

Professional Teaching Core:   Total of 18 hours

Each student also completes 18 hours in the Professional Teaching Core.  Courses are selected that will assist the student develop the following competency areas:

• Content knowledge
• Planning and preparing for instruction
• Delivery of instruction that meets multiple learning needs of students
• Monitoring and assessment
• Individual and classroom management

Courses that may fulfill requirements of the Professional Teaching Core include:

• Graduate courses offered by Morningside College that are required in endorsement programs
• Graduate courses approved by Morningside but not part of endorsement programs
• Courses developed by an Area Education Agency (AEA) that have passed the graduate review and approval process
• Courses developed by a Local Education Association (LEA) that have passed the graduate review and approval process
• CD-ROM courses developed by Virtual Education Software, Inc. (VESi) that have passed the graduate review and approval process
• Online courses developed by Morningside College that are approved for graduate credit

 

While the program per se does not lead to a teaching endorsement, students may choose courses in reading, TAG, special education, and middle school education that will fulfill state endorsement requirements.  Students will make their choices based on their professional development plan and with advice from the Director of Graduate Studies and graduate on-campus and field coordinators.

 

Transfer Credit:

A maximum of 9 hours of transfer credit may be applied to this program.  These 9 hours are subject to the following stipulations:

• 3 hours of graduate credit with no grade lower than B– may be transferred from another institution into the Professional Foundations Core.
• 6 hours of graduate credit with no grade lower than B– may be transferred from another institution into the Professional Teaching Core.
• All transfer credit must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
• If the course being transferred is described in the institution’s catalog, a syllabus may not be required.  If the course is not described in the institution’s catalog, a copy of the syllabus will be required.

National Board Certification:

Teachers who hold current National Board Certification will not be required to take the course Reflective Teaching in the Professional Foundations Core.  Teachers who wish to receive this waiver must provide official verification of National Board Certification.

 

 

Total Hours Required for the Degree:                           36 hrs.