Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education with a Concentration in Biology (MAT)
Overview
This program focuses on teacher preparation for secondary biology, grades 6-12, spanning the pre-adolescent and the adolescent learner. Students seeking the secondary education concentration must have an understanding of the content, skills, and practices of the content area, equivalent to an undergraduate degree in biology. Transcripts will be evaluated by the education advisor to determine whether the academic requirements have been met by previous coursework. Subject area specific course work (content) that was not met in previous coursework must be completed prior to Teacher Candidate Internship (student teaching) orientation session. Experiential learning credit may be available for some non-academic work.
Admission
Applicants for the Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology are required to submit credentials to ODU for consideration. The documentation/criteria for acceptance include:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college/university or equivalent institution outside of the United States;
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.80 on a 4.0 scale;
- Official copies of transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions attended or equivalent institutions outside the U.S.;
- Three academic and/or professional reference letters for the program of study; and non-native English speakers will also be required to provide current scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 550 (or 79 on the iBT).
Students with previously completed graduate-level work at a regionally-accredited institution may submit a request for a maximum of 12 credit hours to be transferred. Such transfer hours would go through the admissions committee and Graduate School for approval and, if accepted, added to the transcripts. They may be used for core classes or as concentration or restricted elective courses if content is deemed equivalent to content in the proposed courses.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 12 | |
| Literacy Across the Curriculum | ||
| Advanced Foundations of Special Education: Legal Aspects and Characteristics | ||
| Assessment and Evaluation in PK-12 Schools | ||
| Learning and Development Across Historical and Contemporary Educational Environments | ||
| Secondary Education | 15 | |
| Digital Age Teaching and Learning | ||
| Advanced Collaboration and Transitions | ||
| Developing Instructional Strategies for Teaching in Middle/High School: Math and Science | ||
| Problems in Education | ||
| The Management of Learning and Instruction | ||
| Student Teaching | 10 | |
| Seminar in Teacher Education | ||
| Internship/Student Teaching and Seminar | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 37 | |
Additional Requirements
Continuance
1. Students must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) modules during the first twelve graduate credit hours at Old Dominion University.
2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 with a minimum grade requirement of B or higher required in all practicum coursework and a minimum B grade in the remaining graduate professional education courses.
3. Students must take and pass the Praxis Subject Assessment (formerly Praxis II) examination for the appropriate specialty area prior to or while enrolled in the instructional strategies course and the seminar in teacher education (TLED 583).
4. A clearance background check must be completed prior to placement in a field experience required for observation and practicum courses and for the teacher candidate internship. For more information on the criminal background check process please review the information on the Office of Clinical Experiences website.
5. All assessments must be passed prior to the start of the Teacher Candidate Internship Orientation session. For more information please review the information on the Office of Clinical Experiences website.
6. Students must obtain certificates of completion in First Aid/AED/CPR, Dyslexia Awareness Training, Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training, Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Cultural Competence Training.
To review more information on the Virginia Board of Education prescribed professional assessments visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website.
Exit
Requirements for graduation include the following:
1. Passage of the teaching portfolio comprehensive exam,
2. completion of the Graduate Assessment,
3. a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA, with a minimum grade requirement of B or higher required in all practicum coursework and a grade of B-or higher in the remaining graduate professional education courses.
4. successful completion of the Teacher Candidate Internship,
5. completion of all course requirements, and
6. submission of an application for graduation.
Only courses that meet the grade required for the academic major or professional education will be accepted toward licensure requirements in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies.
Program Requirements
Students seeking initial licensure plus a master’s degree in secondary education (grades 6-12) must meet the grade required for the academic major and professional education in order to complete the master's degree. Transcripts will be evaluated by the education advisor to determine whether the academic requirements specified in the VA licensure regulations have been met by previous course work. Subject area specific course work (content) that was not met in previous course work must be completed prior to Teacher Candidate Internship (student teaching) orientation session. Experiential learning credit may be available for some non-academic work.