Rationale for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
In the upper levels of the secondary school system, as well as in post-secondary, tertiary level and higher education institutions, there are many teachers/lecturers who hold first degrees, and in some instances, higher education credentials but have no professional training for teaching. In the non-formal and private education sectors there are also many graduates involved in the training of adults and are desirous of formal training to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in programme delivery.
Designed to suit the varying needs for training in the formal, non-formal and private education sectors, this programme has three tracks.
TRACK 1 (T1)
For the training of teachers who will prepare students at the secondary level for CAPE and Advanced level examinations. Often this includes persons who are entering teaching for the first time.
TRACK 2 (T2 Currently not offered)
For the preparation of teachers in post-secondary institutions, Teachers Colleges and Universities.
TRACK 3 (T3 Currently not offered)
This caters to persons who are desirous of obtaining a general teaching qualification. These persons should normally have responsibilities for training in their place of work. Candidates must be employed in an institution that will facilitate an internship.
The programme is based on the premise that all teaching and training activities are designed to bring about change and that teachers and trainers should therefore be able to function as effective agents of change empowered with skills for self-evaluation and transformation.
Qualifications for Admission
To be eligible for admissions, applicants must:
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Have a first class or a second class degree (at least lower second or its equivalent) from an approved university.
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Have a Diploma or Certificate from an approved university which is deemed to be equivalent to a First degree
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Satisfy whatever special Faculty requirements may exist for entry to certain specialisations and courses.
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Candidates who apply to track 1 or 2 should have at least a first degree in the specialisation they wish to pursue.
Aims
The programme is designed to prepare participants who will be able to:
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Prepare students for CSEC, CAPE and Advanced Level examinations in an area of specialisation.
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Prepare trained teachers for all levels of the school System.
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Employ appropriate methodologies for teaching post-secondary and tertiary level students, as well as those in Higher Education.
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Deliver general training programmes to suit the needs of a varied clientele.
Length of Programme
The MAT is a flexible delivery programme offered by part time study. The programme begins January (Online - Part 1 only) and June (face to face Parts 1 and 2) of each academic year.
Part Time study normally extends over a minimum of SIX semesters, and TWO summers and a maximum of TWELVE semesters. A part time student shall normally register for a minimum of SIX credits and a maximum of NINE credits per semester.
The programme is designed so that on successful completion of PART 1, participants who wish to terminate may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Education. For those who proceed further, successful completion of PART 2 will lead to the award of the Master of Arts in Teaching. Candidates must state the track for which they are applying and the area of the specialisation.
Programme Content
The programme normally consists of a minimum of forty six credits and prepares candidates for both general teaching and studies which focus on one area of specialisation with credits distributed as follows:
Theory of Education
- A minimum of sixteen (16) credits in the Foundations of Education and Educational Theory, including research methodology
- A minimum of eighteen (18) credits in a professional specialisation or general area.
Practice of Education
- Internship (6 credits)
Research into Teaching (9 credits) comprising:
- Curriculum Action Research Report (3 credits)
- Research Project in Teaching (6 credits)
The following Specialisations are offered:
- Language Education
- Science Education
- History Education
- Mathematics Education
- Information Technology Education
- Modern Foreign Language (Spanish)
- Social Studies / Geography
All specialisations may not be available every year and are dependent on the number of applicants
On successful completion of Part One, candidates may opt to terminate with the award of the Post Graduate Diploma in Education. To proceed to the MA in Teaching, a candidate must normally have attained at least a B+ average. Candidates who have successfully completed the MA in Teaching are eligible for consideration for entry to the MPhil/PhD degree. They may be required to do up to an additional nine (9) credits, depending on the area of specialisation chosen.
