Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Fifth-Year Program
The MAT Fifth-Year program is an innovative and rigorous teacher education program for candidates seeking initial licensure with authorizations at any of four levels: Early childhood education (age 3 to grade 4), elementary education (grades 3-8), middle school education (grades 5-9), and high school education (grades 7-12). During the twelve-month program, candidates complete academic requirements for the Oregon Initial Teaching License while also completing the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.
All candidates have the opportunity to qualify for two authorizations, and while qualification for two is not required, it is encouraged. Subject area endorsements for the Middle School and High School authorizations include Art, Business Education (High School only), Drama, Foreign Languages (French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish), Health, Language Arts, Marketing, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, and Physics), and Social Studies. It is expected that candidates seeking specific endorsements will have completed an undergraduate major that enables passing the appropriate Praxis II subject test.
To be admitted into the Fifth Year program, you must pass one of the basic skills tests: CBEST or Praxis I (PPST). You must also pass the appropriate tests for your authorization level/endorsement area. The College of Education can provide you with registration information for the following exams:
- Early childhood education authorization – A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Examination.
- Elementary education authorization – A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Examination.
- Middle school authorization - A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Examination. In addition, you will need an area of concentration. Therefore you must take the appropriate Praxis II: Subject Area Tests for your chosen subject.
- High school authorization – A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the appropriate Praxis II: Subject Area Tests.
Requirements for Russian and Japanese endorsements: If candidates wish to earn an endorsement in either Russian or Japanese, their transcripts will be evaluated during the admissions process to determine if they will be allowed to pursue the endorsement. In addition, in order to establish speaking and writing proficiency prior to licensure for Russian and Japanese endorsements, for which no Praxis II test is required by TSPC, the College of Education will require students seeking these endorsements to take the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) tests Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) administered by Language Testing International (LTI). The minimal level of proficiency required for both tests will be Intermediate High. Tests must be passed prior to student teaching.
In order to qualify for licensure, candidates must pass all subject area tests required by TSPC. In addition, as of September 1, 2010 all candidates for initial licensure will be required to pass Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Education Environment.
For more information about testing requirements and passing scores, see the Test Information page.
Admissions: How to prepare, how to apply, important dates
The earlier you submit your application, the better the possibility of acceptance. Because the College of Education reviews applications on a rolling basis, well-qualified applicants may be immediately admitted. You may apply to begin the program in the summer in Forest Grove or in the spring in Eugene.
As an applicant you must document the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree by the time you begin courses in the College of Education
- Passing score on a basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I – PPST) and for either the ORELA or Praxis II
- Experience with children or youth, particularly in a school setting
- College coursework as evidenced by official transcripts
Our Admissions Committee considers many factors:
- GPA (at least 2.75 as an undergraduate or 3.00 in at least eight semester hours of graduate studies)
- Passing test scores
- Strength of letters of evaluation
- Breadth of coursework (math, science, writing, literature, history, cross-cultural subjects, music, and art) for early childhood and elementary applicants
- Subject area knowledge for middle and high school applicants
- Writing ability as demonstrated in an essay
- Minimum course requirements:
- Early Childhood/Elementary Authorization (age 3 – 8th grade)
- Literature/Composition (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours)
- Social Studies (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours – can include history, political science, or geography)
- Mathematics (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours – preference for Math for Elementary Teachers courses)
- Science (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours – including a biology course with labs)
- Additional Recommended Courses for Early Childhood/Elementary
The following courses are recommended, but not required for admission.- Cross-cultural (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Psychology (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Art (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Music (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Middle/High School Authorization (5th – 12th grades)
In order to be considered for admission, you must have completed one of the following before you apply:- A major in the subject area you wish to teach
- A minor or coursework equivalent (20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours) in the subject area you wish to teach
- Elementary/Middle School Authorization (3rd – 10th grades)
- In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have completed both the requirements listed under the Early Childhood/Elementary and Middle/High School Sections.
- Early Childhood/Elementary Authorization (age 3 – 8th grade)
Handbook
Forest Grove MAT/5th Year Handbook
Curriculum
| Section | The Foundation Block - All Authorizations | Credit Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-504 | Learning Communities I: Personal Awareness and Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-570 | School and Society |
2 |
| EDUC-515 | Advanced Human Development
and Psychology (ECE/Elem) or... |
4 |
| EDUC-516 | Advanced Human Development and Psychology: Middle and High School (MS/HS) |
4 |
| EDUC-601 | Teachers as Consumers of Research |
2 |
| The Methods Block - Early Childhood Education Authorization | ||
| EDUC-505 | Learning Communities II: About Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-533 | Integrated Methods I: General Methods |
3 |
| EDUC-508 | Integrated Methods II: Reading and Language Arts in ECE |
4 |
| EDUC-509 | Integrated Methods IIIa: Math in ECE |
2 |
| EDUC-528 | Integrated Methods IIIb: Science and Health in ECE |
2 |
| EDUC-510 | Integrated Methods IV: Expressive Arts in ECE |
2 |
| EDUC-537 | Technology Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| EDUC-573 | Practicum |
2 |
| The Methods Block - Elementary Education Authorization | ||
| EDUC-505 | Learning Communities II: About Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-533 | Integrated Methods I: General Methods |
3 |
| EDUC-544 | Integrated Methods II: Reading and Language Arts in Elementary Education |
4 |
| EDUC-543 | Integrated Methods IIIa: Math in Elementary Education |
2 |
| EDUC-529 | Integrated Methods IIIb: Science and Health in Elementary Education |
2 |
| EDUC-545 | Integrated Methods IV: Thematic Teaching through SS and the Arts |
2 |
| EDUC-537 | Technology Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| EDUC-573 | Practicum |
2 |
| The Methods Block - Middle School and High School Authorizations | ||
| EDUC-505 | Learning Communities II: About Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-526 | Teaching and Assessment in the Middle and High School |
4 |
| EDUC-541 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| Special Methods (in appropriate content area) | ||
| EDUC-502 | Teaching Art in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-503 | Teaching Music in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-536 | Teaching Health in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-538 | Teaching Science in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-539 | Teaching PE in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-546 | Teaching Business in the High School |
3 |
| EDUC-547 | Teaching Foreign Language in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-549 | Teaching Mathematics in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-551 | Teaching Social Studies in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-552 | Teaching Language Arts in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-553 | Teaching Drama in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-567 | Curriculum Design: Middle and High School |
2 |
| EDUC-537 | Technology Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| EDUC-573 | Practicum |
2 |
| The Applications Block - All Authorizations | ||
| EDUC-576 | Learning Communities III: Reflection and Practice |
2 |
| EDUC-575 | Student Teaching |
15 |
Continuation in the Program
- Candidates must maintain good academic standing.
- Candidates must maintain a 3.00 minimum GPA in all professional education and endorsement area coursework with no grade lower than a C; a C- is not acceptable.
- Candidates must complete all required coursework before student teaching.
- Candidates must pass all tests required for licensure before student teaching.
- Candidates must meet all of the above requirements in order to register for student teaching.
Requirements for Program Completion
- Candidates must complete all coursework with satisfactory grades.
- Candidates must complete field experience, required practica, and student teaching with a grade of Pass.
- Candidates must complete requirements for two work samples. Requirements include preparation, teaching, and a satisfactory evaluation.
- Candidates must pass all applicable tests required by TSPC for licensure.
For More Information
Contact Person (Eugene): Shelley Smolnisky, Associate Dean, Eugene Campus
Email: smolniskys@pacificu.edu
Phone: 541-485-6812
Contact Person (Forest Grove): Diana Watkins, Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Admissions
Email: teach@pacificu.edu
Phone: 503-352-1435