Education

Overview

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts Degree in Teaching (Broad Field Science and Mathematics) for secondary education and the Master's Degree in Special Education General Curriculum. The Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program in Elementary Education enables students who have undergraduate degrees to prepare for Georgia teacher certification. The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and teacher certification programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC). Applicants who are interested in eligibility for teacher certification should contact the Program Director for Graduate Teacher Education. Further, all specific requirements for entry and matriculation are available at the Georgia Professional Standard Commission website: https://www.gapsc.com/ProspectiveEducator/ProspectiveEducator.aspx

Mission

The mission of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is to prepare candidates to meet the educational needs of P‐12 learners in a multicultural global society.

Vision

The Department vision is to prepare highly qualified candidates who will advance the academic achievement of students in diverse P‐12 populations through experiential outreach and the effective use of technology‐driven pedagogy in global settings.

Programs of Study

• Master of Arts in Teaching: Grades 6-12
  • Broad Field Science Concentration (36-37 Credits)
  • Secondary Mathematics Concentration (36 Credits)
• Master of Arts in Special Education-General Curriculum (36 Credits)
• Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program in Elementary Education (42 Credits)

Master of Arts in Teaching - Grades 6-12

Overview

The Master of Arts Degree in Teaching: Broad Field Science (Grades 6-12) and the Master of Arts Degree in Teaching: Secondary Mathematics (Grades 6-12) prepare candidates for advanced study in teaching of broad field sciences or mathematics.

In addition to passing the Comprehensive Examination, candidates seeking teacher certification must pass or be exempt from all relevant examinations required for certification by the State of Georgia. To participate in the required Field Experience and Clinical Practice in order to finish the degree program, candidates must satisfy criminal background check requirements. Students should contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to receive a copy of most recent approved state certification requirements.

Master of Arts in Special Education

Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Special Education General Curriculum prepares candidates for advanced study in the teaching of P-12 students with disabilities whose individual education program indicates instruction using the general education curriculum and participation in general statewide assessment.

Program Objectives

1. Prepare candidates to teach P-12 students with disabilities.
2. Introduce candidates to theoretical models of social and behavioral characteristics and causes of disabilities that impact student learning.
3. Identify regulatory laws, practices and ethical standards pertinent to working with individuals with disabilities.
4. Train candidates to create and utilize research-based teaching strategies and interventions in the development of lesson plans and delivery of instruction
5. Prepare candidates to critically analyze, synthesize, and discuss, the latest research regarding teachers and their interactions with students with disabilities and those who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Arts Degree in Special Education General Curriculum must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as published in this Catalog with a GPA of 3.0 to begin any certification program.

Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Elementary Education

Overview

The Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program in Elementary Education does not lead to a degree. This program is for individuals who already have earned an undergraduate degree. Students usually have a variety of undergraduate academic backgrounds. Some students already have many of the courses they need for eligibility for certification in the area in which they chose to teach, while others may have almost none. For this reason, each student's program is highly individualized and is determined in consultation with the Coordinator of the Program after admission. Applicants should contact the Department Chair regarding preparation for certification through this program.

In addition to successful completion of Post-Baccalaureate Certification program requirements, the State of Georgia is the agency that certifies teachers. Certification for teaching in the State of Georgia currently requires passing scores determined by the State and denotes exemptions on the GACE Basic Skills assessments and relevant content examinations. Students should contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to receive a copy of most recent approved state certification requirements. In order to be recommended for certification by Clark Atlanta University, students must be admitted to this program in the School of Education.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Elementary Education will:

1. Prepare candidates to attain broad knowledge in liberal arts, mathematics, and the natural and social sciences commensurate with content standards of national professional organizations.
2. Train candidates to hone their dispositions, critical thinking skills, and knowledge of psychomotor, cognitive and affective domains.
3. Introduce candidates to authentic theoretical models of best practices based on research in teaching and learning for P-5 classrooms.
4. Prepare candidates to engage in critical reflective practices using their pre-professional experiences.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Elementary Education requires the following:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
2. Submission of at least two (2) letters of recommendation: 1) Must be from a professor in the applicant's most recent degree program; and 2) should be from applicant's current or former supervisor or employer or from a program alumnus and/or community education stakeholder.
3. Documentation of national background check results consistent with teacher certification requirements; and
4. Evidence of personal liability insurance prior to placement for all field experiences.