About the Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) is designed for beginning and experienced teachers alike, the majority of whom are teaching full time and all of whom are deeply committed to public education and teaching P-12 students. Participation in the MATC program requires a deep, dual commitment to teachers’ learning as well as to students’ learning. Our program tailors course work to meet our students’ individual interests while focusing on the program goals of:

• Engaging in critical inquiry
• Developing as accomplished teachers
• Becoming teacher leaders

We believe that teachers want to make a difference! Teachers in the MATC program are dedicated, dynamic professionals who not only desire to expand their knowledge and repertoires; they want to make a difference in their students’ lives and learning.

MATC students assume a variety of collaborative leadership roles and responsibilities in their schools, districts and beyond. They are a credit to Michigan State University and the teaching profession. Their strong commitment to improving their practice and students’ opportunities to learn in meaningful ways—coupled with our interest in helping teachers learn from theory, research, practice and each other—make the difference!

Program Goals and Standards

The Department of Teacher Education’s Master’s Program in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) is designed for beginning and experienced teachers alike, the majority of whom are teaching full time and who are deeply committed to public education and teaching P-12 students. Participation in the MATC program requires a deep, dual commitment to teachers’ learning as well as to students’ learning. Our program tailors coursework to meet our students’ individual interests while focusing on the program goals of:

• Engaging in critical inquiry
• Developing as accomplished teachers
• Becoming teacher leaders

Applicants to the MATC may presently apply to:

The online MATC program—with the exception of the ESL K-12 endorsement option, all requirements for the MATC may be met entirely online. **

All program requirements must be completed within five (5) years.

**Currently, LLT courses requirement for new K12-ESL endorsement are not available online.

Program Standards

Standard 1: Understanding and commitment to students and their diversity

Standard 2: Understanding of subject matter, how to teach it and how to design curriculum,
instruction and assessment to foster students’ understanding

Standard 3: Understanding and use of theoretical perspectives and conceptual frameworks to situate and analyze issues and problems of practice and policy

Standard 4: Reflective, systematic inquiry and study/refinement of one’s practice

Standard 5: Communication skills and information literacy

Standard 6: Proactive participation in collaborative initiatives, professional learning communities, professional organizations and teacher leadership beyond the classroom

Program Goals

Goal 1: Critical inquiry

Goal 2: Accomplished teaching

Goal 3: Collaborative professional development, teacher leadership, contributions to the field

Beginning Teachers

• Get the help you need to get off to a good start, and don’t feel isolated in your first job! Join other former MSU interns and graduates of other teacher preparation programs in further study in a collegial community.
• Meet the Michigan Department of Education requirements for professional development and maintaining your provisional certificate.
• Align your personal goals and Individual Professional Development Plan with MATC goals, courses and inquiry within these.
• Apply for your Professional Certificate upon completion of the MATC program.
• Earn your master’s degree!

Experienced Teachers

• Pursue or renew your professional certificate and design your own professional development to address your individual needs and interests.
• Expand your professional knowledge, skills and repertoire in teaching subject matter that is research-based, disciplined-based and learner-centered.
• Earn a Michigan endorsement in K-12 World Languages, ESL or Special Education.
• Develop and expand your influence and leadership potential in your grade level, subject area, department or school to make a difference for colleagues, students and your community.
• Explore how you might mentor and support teacher preparation students or beginning teachers in your school as you critically reflect on and reexamine your own learning as a teacher to date in our courses—up close and personal.
• Following your MATC program, pursue your scholarly interests further at the doctoral level. Apply to our TE doctoral program in your area of interest or specialization; research, write, publish and teach at the post-secondary or university level.

International Educators

• Whether you are a relatively new teacher or more experienced in teaching at the K-12 or university level, expand your professional knowledge in your area of interest or subject area that is research-based and cutting edge with nationally and internationally recognized scholars/faculty at MSU.
• Participate in many of the campus-wide events and opportunities provided for international students at MSU through the Office for International Students and Scholars.
• Participate in LATTICE, “Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-Cultural Education,” to visit U.S. schools and observe in K-12 schools.
• Contribute to U.S. teachers’ global understanding of education from different perspectives, cultures and educational systems.
• Partner with an MATC peer to study or participate in his/her classroom activities, or conduct an observational or interview study in a local school or classroom as your MATC inquiry project.
• If you “tutor” others once here in the U.S., study your own practice and students’ learning—just like the U.S. teachers will do.
• Study/analyze videotaped cases of teaching and teachers’ scholarship of teaching.
• Tailor some of your program to include courses in educational administration, ESL, teaching with technology, comparative education or a subject specialization.