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The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences:
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching program in Elementary Education is designed for aspiring educators with a bachelor’s degree who wish to become an elementary school teacher. In this program, students focus on creating deep knowledge of children’s development, motivation, and learning. Students also concentrate on skills in the areas of instruction, assessment, cultural responsiveness, technology, relationship-building, and collaboration. Throughout the curriculum, students also focus on designing integrated curriculum, the arts as an essential part of children’s education, literacy learning, and utilizing a wide array of evidence-based approaches and strategies to support the growth and learning of every child.

Licensure

Walden is approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to offer a program leading to a Minnesota Tier 3 license in Elementary Education. Candidates seeking licensure in Minnesota are responsible for completing all Minnesota requirements beyond Walden’s state-approved program. The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is solely responsible for reviewing applications and issuing licenses.

Individuals interested in licensure in states other than Minnesota may qualify by virtue of completing a state-approved educator preparation program; however, individuals must review their state’s regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers. Individuals who reside in certain states may be ineligible to enroll in this program. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure questions; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MAT in Elementary Education program, graduates will be prepared to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills necessary to create learning environments that facilitate meaningful learning experiences for elementary students.
  2. Demonstrate the professional dispositions of an elementary educator.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to implement differentiated learning experiences that support development in elementary students.
  4. Evaluate assessment data to make informed instructional decisions that promote student development.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to be culturally responsive to foster positive trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
  6. Appropriately integrate a variety of learning technologies in the classroom.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others to improve educational outcomes for elementary children.
  8. Apply the results of research in the field of education to create positive social change.
  9. Demonstrate the skills necessary to be a reflective practitioner who actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.

Degree Requirements

  • 70 total quarter credits
  • Professional core courses (60 credits)
  • Field Experience Preparation Courses (0 credit)
  • Demonstration Teaching (10 credits)

Curriculum

Professional Core

Demonstration Teaching (10 credits)

Field Experience Preparation 

Walden is committed to providing students with resources and support in preparation of field experience(s). To help ease anxiety in the field experience process, Walden offers a 0-credit Field Experience Preparation course, a structured experience that guides students through the application process and currently available readiness resources. The course is designed to complement other pre-requisite courses needed in preparation for field experience(s). The goal is that students submit their field experience application by the end of the course. Of course, there may be reasons why a field experience needs to be postponed, or the readiness course may not be needed if a field experience opportunity has already been secured. In this instance, students may opt-out of the course.  By opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course without having submitted a complete field experience application you are notifying Walden that you have chosen to delay the beginning of your field experience indefinitely, it is your responsibility to notify Walden when you plan to begin the field experience component of your program. In some instances, opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course indicates the foundational components of the field experience process have been satisfied and submission of the field experience application is pending. While the course is not yet available for Tempo students, the same readiness resources are available to Tempo students seeking field experience.