Overview
Mount St. Mary’s Graduate Programs in Education have a reputation of educational excellence. Originally attracting working professionals from the regional area either seeking initial certification to teach or advanced training in specialized fields, the Education Department now attracts a rich blend of graduate students that includes recent graduates of undergraduate programs and international students. The unit strives to meet the needs of all graduate students by limiting class sizes and emphasizing the importance of close faculty-student relationships.
The unit supports academic excellence through curricula designed to help graduate students to (a) acquire the essential skills of analytical thought and self-expression, (b) gain and integrate knowledge in various disciplines, (c) acquire an understanding of other cultures, (d) develop an awareness of the various facets of moral and ethical problems, (e) achieve a high degree of personal fulfillment, and (f) improve skills in pursuing independent study of educational issues within school communities.
To complement these essential skills and dispositions, Master of Arts in Teaching candidates complete a sequence of professional courses to (a) gain general and specialized knowledge in one or more content areas, (b) gain knowledge about past and current theories of education, (c) develop a thorough knowledge of child growth and development, and (d) develop the appropriate pedagogical skills for effective classroom teaching. Master of Arts in Teaching programs include certification in Elementary Education, Elementary/Special Education, Art, Music, world languages (Spanish, French, German), English, mathematics, biology, social studies, and business.
Master of Education candidates complete a sequence of professional courses to prepare them as specialists in their field of study. These courses emphasize the importance of academic research and prepare graduates to be instructional leaders. Mount St. Mary’s offers Master of Education programs in Reading, Technology Facilitation, and Instructional Leadership, as well as certificates in Advanced Study in Reading, Technology Facilitation, and Instructional Leadership.
Statement of Purpose
Mount St. Mary’s University proudly prepares teachers for today and for tomorrow through its Master of Arts in Teaching programs for prospective teachers and Master of Education programs for currently certified teachers. The Division of Education recognizes the diversity of experiences brought to our programs by entering graduate students and complements those experiences by advancing the University tradition of liberal arts education in a Catholic setting. To this end, the department develops educators who are proficient in content and pedagogy, reflective, and ethical professionals dedicated to leadership in an increasingly diverse, technological, and global society.
Outcomes
Mount St. Mary’s develops educators who:
- Demonstrate the content and pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effect student learning (proficient).
- Examine learning to shape their practice (reflective).
- Demonstrate commitment to the diversity, dignity, equality, and rights of the individual (ethical).
- Demonstrate leadership as active participants in the education community (leading).
- Respond to the demands of an increasingly diverse technological and global society (adaptive).
All programs are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, Master of Arts in Teaching programs lead to certification to teach in Maryland and states with reciprocity agreements with the MSDE. The Master of Education with concentration in Reading leads to MSDE certification as a reading specialist. The Master of Education in Instructional Leadership leads to administrative certification.
Review of programs is the responsibility of the Education Department in concert with the Maryland State Department of Education and Professional Development School Advisory Council.
Accreditation
All teacher education programs at the Mount are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
In 2014, Mount St. Mary’s University earned accreditation for all of its education programs through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The following programs are nationally accredited:
- Master of Education; Reading and Technology Facilitation
- Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading
- Master of Arts in Teaching; Elementary Education, Elementary/ Special Education, Art, Music, World Languages, English, mathematics, social studies, business, and biology