The Division of Education at Truman State University
offers the Master of Arts in Education, a professional teaching degree. All
prospective teachers enrolling in the professional program must complete a
strong liberal arts and sciences baccalaureate degree in an academic discipline.
The basic components of the professional teacher preparation program are 1) graduate pedagogical coursework, 2) advanced content in the teaching specialty 3) the internship experience; and 4) action research. Teaching specialties include English, elementary education, exercise science, foreign language (French and Spanish), health, mathematics, music, science, history/social science, special education, and visual arts.
Students who wish to become teachers should consult their academic advisor and the Division of Education (660-785-4383) as early as possible for information.
To read more about the Master of Arts in Education, please visit the Education section of the Graduate Catalog.
Philosophy of the Program
The mission of the MAE is to achieve excellence through a nationally competitive professional program which ensures that the graduate will be a true professional who possesses a broad realm of knowledge as well as mastery in a subject specialization, is skilled in the art and science of learning and instructing, and exemplifies outstanding professional practice and professional ethics.
The process of developing the professional program is marked by strong cooperation with the K-12 community and based on established education research and essential knowledge of sound professional practice. The program exemplifies an integrated approach to liberal education, professional studies, and specialty studies. The “theme of reflection...binds all of the curricula together. Each program weaves instruction, practice and evaluation of reflection in coursework, field experience and assessments.” (NCATE, 2003)
Objectives of the Program
The Master of Arts in Education program prepares students to become teachers who are proficient in a teaching or specialty field and in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of liberal learning, and who demonstrate skills for effective professional practice. The program objectives are to:
1. prepare teachers who are distinguished by their comprehensive liberal learning, developed through the challenging liberal studies component and integration of the undergraduate degree program;
2. prepare teachers who have mastery of the subject specialization, developed through the baccalaureate degree and through graduate courses and experiences in their chosen teaching field;
3. prepare teachers who demonstrate professional skills of high quality, developed through solid professional education curriculum offerings and meaningful clinical and internship experiences;
4. prepare teachers who are stimulated to exchange and implement the results of research and new knowledge in the profession;
5. prepare teachers who function with competence and confidence in confronting issues of the profession in a pluralistic society characterized by continuous change;
6. prepare teachers who have leadership competence in making informed professional judgments;
7. prepare candidates who are able to enter doctoral or other professional education programs; and
8. prepare reflective teachers who are capable of continually and critically analyzing their own professional performance which allows them to grow in a professional manner; who are characterized by habits of life-long learning; and who engage in scholarly interaction and further learning experiences.
Student Outcomes of the Program
The graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities associated with outstanding performance in the profession of teaching. They will exhibit the following characteristics:
1. Competency in the teaching, learning, and evaluation techniques/skills/technology demanded for effective professional practice and performance as a master teacher as assessed by:
a) the state-mandated national standardized exit examination for teacher education;
b) the academic record;
c) the student’s digital portfolio;
d) demonstrated competency in the classroom an school setting;
e) positive recommendations from appropriate professionals.
2. Proficiency in communication skills as demonstrated by:
a) the student’s undergraduate and graduate academic and assessment record;
b) the student’s academic and professional work, e.g. research, papers, videotaped sessions,
interpersonal skills assessment, and performance in classroom setting.
3. Appropriate depth of knowledge in a specific discipline and mastery of teaching as demonstrated by:
a) the academic record and the graduate grade-point average of 3.00 or above;
b) exemplary performance in the teaching internship;
c) testimony by appropriate participating professionals regarding the integrity of the specialty
knowledge and skills;
d) demonstrated growth in the learning and academic achievement of the students taught by the
candidate for the professional degree.
4. The skills, breadth of knowledge, and attitudes characteristic of a liberally-educated person as assessed through the university-wide assessment model and the portfolio assessment programs;
5. The ability to conduct professional research and to utilize, with appropriate applications, such research and professional publications as demonstrated through:
a) the MAE candidate portfolio, the research component, and the comprehensive examination of the
MAE Evaluation Plan;
b) independent work and inquiry;
c) faculty and student interaction.
6. The ability to critically analyze student results and make decisions which positively impact future student performance, as demonstrated in the internship and research component;
7. Personal qualities of integrity, courtesy, compassion, and respect for all cultures as assessed through
a) the MAE candidate portfolio and other elements of the MAE Evaluation Plan;
b) biographical information;
c) recommendations of participating professionals;
d) videotaped sessions;
e) other personal skills assessments.
Students are admitted into the MAE on the basis of scholastically competitive criteria. Requirements for admission to graduate study are listed in the Academic Information section of this catalog. Admission to the MAE program is a three-step process:
1. admission to the Truman State University Graduate School,
2. recommendation of the faculty in the specialty area, and
3. recommendation of the MAE Admissions Committee.
Information Considered in the Admission Process:
1. the applicant’s grade point average and academic record (an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher is preferred, but a minimum of 2.75 is required to apply);
2. the GRE General Examination results;
3. the liberal arts and sciences foundation of each student’s baccalaureate degree program; program deficiencies must be removed through satisfactory completion of appropriate coursework.
4. three letters of recommendation;
5. the applicant’s résumé;
6. the Admissions Committee may require a personal interview.
Note: Students applying to secondary specialty areas should check with the respective divisions for supplemental materials that may be required.
MAE English specialty area applicants must submit a portfolio as part of the application procedure. Guidelines for the MAE admissions portfolio are available in the Language and Literature Division Office.
To ensure a fall semester internship placement, MAE candidates are advised to submit application materials by September 15 of the previous year.
For more information, contact the Education Department:
Education Department Chair
Truman State University
100 E. Normal
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
(660) 785-4386
Certification Office
Education Division
Truman State University
100 E. Normal
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
(660) 785-4680
Also, you may visit the Education Department's website.