Middle Grades Education Specialization, M.A.T

University of North Carolina - Wilmington

The program leading to the Master of Arts degree (M.A.T.) with middle grades education specialization seeks to prepare candidates for teaching young adolescents and addresses the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards, the masters/advanced competencies which include standards in instructional expertise, knowledge of learners, research expertise, connecting subject matter and learners, and professional development leadership, as well as the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for middle grades teachers. Middle grades teacher candidates earn licensure in one or more of the following middle grades content areas: language arts, mathematics, social studies, science.

Program Objectives

?Upon completion of the graduate MAT in Middle Grades Education, the candidate should be able to:

1. Demonstrate leadership by applying the major constructs (concepts, principles, theories, standards, and research) related to young adolescent development and developmentally responsive middle schools
2. Establish a respectful educational environment for diverse learners by adapting instruction based on analysis of the individual needs (e.g., learning, social, emotional) of young adolescents and their community contexts
3. Demonstrate content knowledge by applying major content-specific constructs (concepts, principles, theories, language, standards, and research) during field experiences and internship
4. Facilitate student learning through the learning cycle (planning, instruction, and assessment) by applying a variety of developmentally appropriate strategies and technologies to meet the learning needs of young adolescents
5. Reflect on their practice by analyzing student learning to inform their instruction and professional development