DESCRIPTION OF M.A.T.

DEGREE

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Childhood Education program prepares

teachers for an elementary teaching position in a public school setting. In Arkansas, the
licensure includes pre-school through the 4th grade. Since elementary school teachers
are typically responsible for the entire curriculum, the program at the University of Arkansas
prepares teachers to teach reading, math, writing, science, and social studies. This college is
accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education, the National Council for Accreditation
for Teacher Education (NCATE), the Higher Learning Commission, and the North Central
Association. The M.A.T. program at the University of Arkansas has been recognized as one
of the leading teacher preparation programs in the United States. The American
Association of Teacher Educators has awarded this program its annual Excellence in Teacher
Preparation award. This award is given to only one institution each year, and it recognized
the M.A.T. program as being one of the best in the country.
The Conceptual Framework for the University of Arkansas Educator Preparation Provider
(EPP) is derived from the mission of the University and College of Education and Health
Professions (COEHP) and from professional literature. The Framework represents the views of
numerous constituencies, including EPP faculty, public school teachers, administrators, and
candidates. The Conceptual Framework serves to establish a "shared vision for ... efforts in
preparing educators to work effectively in P-12 schools." In so doing, it provides guidance
regarding factors "likely to have the strongest effects" on outcomes for students (U. S.
Department of Education, 2013).
University of Arkansas graduates are prepared to become:

Knowledgeable of content
Skillful in the classroom
Supportive of peers and students
Professional scholar-practitioners

Graduates in diverse educational settings are able to balance the needs and aspirations of
each learner with the expectations of an increasingly complex and technological society. All
graduates are expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and growth in each area of the
Conceptual Framework Model.
This program includes 33 graduate semester hours with 24 hours concentrated in Childhood
Education and 9 hours in a year-long field-based internship in a partnership school. The
internship consists of three different grade level placements. Interns become actively
involved in the school community by attending faculty meetings, parent/teacher
conferences, and various school events.