Program of Studies
Elementary Education Certification Program
Education is a distinct area of academic inquiry that takes as its subject a foundational institution in our democratic society. Students who major in Education explore content, curriculum, and pedagogy across a broad spectrum of disciplines. The major prepares students for a wide variety of career choices; students are not limited to traditional Elementary Teacher Certification.
While students may pursue Elementary Certification, they may also select the Educational Studies track which is designed for students who are interested in education as a discipline, but who know from the outset that they do not want to become a classroom teacher. In either case, the education program at Roger Williams University provides a rich background in educational history, philosophy, cognitive theory, developmental psychology, and the art and practice of teaching.
Core Concentration - Select One
English Literature
Foreign Language and Cultures
History
Mathematics
Science
Level 1: Exploring the Profession Coursework
EDU 200 Foundations of Education
EDU 202 Psychology of Learning and Development
Level 2: Preparing to Teach Coursework
EDU 211/212 (Concurrent)
NATSC 211/212 Teaching and Learning
Science through Inquiry
EDU 302 Literacy in the Elementary School I
EDU 303 Literacy in the Elementary School II
EDU 305 Classroom Applications of Technology at the Elementary and Middle School Level
EDU 330 Issues in Multicultural Education
EDU 341 Science and Technology in the Elementary School
EDU 349** Content and Processes for Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School
EDU 350 Mathematics in the Elementary School
EDU 355 Elementary and Middle School Level Special Education Practice
EDU 370 Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDU 372 Issues in Health Education
Additional Reguired Courses
HIS 201 U.S. History I
HIS 202 U.S. HIstory II
MUS 203 Basic Musicianship
THEAT 110 Acting I
VARTS 231 Drawing I Fundamentals
Level 2: Middle School Endorsement Coursework
EDU 381 Young Adolescent Development
EDU 382 Middle School Curriculum and School Organization
EDU 383 Applied Middle School Instruction and Assessment
Level 3: Performance in the Classroom Coursework
EDU 375 Elementary Education Practicum
EDU 450 Student Teaching
EDU 451 Student Teaching Seminar
All students are required to have an urban field experience.
Elementary Educational Studies Program Requirements
The Elementary Educational Studies Program is identical to the Elementary Certification Program in Levels 1 and 2 as described above. In Level 3 however, in lieu of practicum and student teaching, students will be engaged in an in-depth interdisciplinary Capstone Experience, resulting in a final thesis. This will be negotiated and supervised with a School of Education faculty member with the option of collaborating with faculty from other schools to help plan the research and thesis project. Students who have a clear idea of future plans may construct this final product so that it will contribute to the pursuit of that goal (focused on a content area). Students select from among the four core concentrations listed in the certification track and complete the additional required courses.
Level 1: Exploring the Profession Coursework
EDU 200 Foundations of Education
EDU 202 Psychology of Learning and Development
Level 2: Preparing to Teach Coursework
EDU 306 Classroom Applications of Technology at the Middle and Secondary School Level
EDU 330 Issues in Multicultural Education
EDU 353* Introduction to Linguistics
EDU 356 Middle and Secondary Level Special Education Practice
EDU 360 Art and Practice of Secondary Teaching I
EDU 361 Art and Practice of Secondary Teaching II
EDU 363 Literacy Across the Curriculum
EDU 365 Ways of Knowing (Subject Area)
EDU 373 Issues in Middle and Secondary Health Education
Level 2: Middle School Endorsement Coursework
EDU 381 Young Adolescent Development
EDU 382 Middle School Curriculum and School Organization
EDU 383 Applied Middle School Instruction and Assessment
Level 3: Performance in the Classroom Coursework
EDU 376 Secondary Education Practicum
EDU 450 Student Teaching
EDU 451 Student Teaching Seminar
All students are required to have an urban field experience
*EDU 353 is required for English and Foreign Language majors only.
Fact Sheet
The Master of Arts in Teaching - Elementary Education (MAT) at Roger Williams University is a 49-credit graduated degree program leading to certification as a teacher of grades 1-6. The program is standards-based and all learning experiences are guided by the Rhode Island Teacher Standards. Students may attend the program either full-time or part-time, and may begin study in any term.
Mission of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program
The MAT program at Roger Williams University is designed to provide individuals with the necessary expertise to work as professional elementary school teachers. Our faculty is dedicated to helping our graduate students develop the skills in instructional and assessment techniques that critical for success in the modern elementary school classroom. Coursework provides an opportunity to explore the historical, philosophical, and social issues associated with teaching and learning, and students will learn to interpret and incorporate research on education issues into their own scholarship. A mix of in-class and practical instruction round out the educational experience of the M.A.T. student.
Curriculum
The program comprises 13 courses clustered into three Curriculum Levels arranged in a developmental sequence: Level 1: Exploring the Profession/Entering the Program; Level 2: Preparing to Teach; and Level 3: Performance in the Classroom. In Level 1, candidates develop a knowledge base and participate in field experiences in two introductory courese essential to successful matriculation in the program. In Level 2, candidates develop expertise in instructional and assessment skills that are critical to their roles as elementary teachers. In Level 3, candidates use the broad based knowledge developed in the first two levels while they prepare to assume and carry out their roles as elementary classroom teachers. All MAT students are evaluated using the Roger Williams University Teacher Education Performance Assessment System. The guiding principles of performance assessment suggest that all students should be appraised on their highest performance in a given area. Therefore, during course work, in the context of real teacher tasks, MAT students are assessed continually as they progress through the program. The Performance Assessment System has three components: (1) The Entry Evidence, (2) the Preparing to Teach Portfolio which includes documentation from university course work, and (3) the Performance in the Classroom Portfolio which documents progress in Practicum and Student Teaching.
Criteria for Admission to the MAT Program
Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants must hold an earned bachelor's degree and have attained an overall GPA of 2.50 or greater in undergraduate work.
MAT Program Requirements
Level 1: Exploring the Profession
EDU 501 Foundations of Educational Research
EDU 503 Research in Learning and Development
EDU 505 Technology Applications in the Classroom
Level 2: Preparing to Teach
EDU 507 Introduction to Elementary Literacy Practices I
EDU 509 Standards-based Science in the Elementary Classroom
EDU 511 Standards-based Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom
EDU 513 Contemporary Issues in Health Education
EDU 515 Introduction to Elementary Literacy Practices II
EDU 517 Introduction to Special Education Research and Practice
EDU 519 The Integrated Arts Curriculum
EDU 521 The Thematic Curriculum: Social Studies and Literacy
Level 3: Performance in the Classroom
EDU 601 Graduate Practicum in Elementary Education
EDU 603 Graduate Student Teaching in Elementary Education
EDU 604 Graduate Student Teaching Seminar
Middle School Endorsement Coursework
EDU 541 Young Adolescent Development
EDU 542 Middle School Curriculum and School Organization
EDU 543 Applied Middle School Instruction and Assessment
Fact Sheet
The Master of Arts in Literacy Education is a 34-credit program leading to certification as a Pre-K-12 Reading Specialist/Consultant in the state of Rhode Island with reciprocity in 43 states. Students attend the program part-time, taking one course each fall and spring term and two courses over the course of two summer sessions.
Description of the Master of Arts in Literacy Education Program
In today's society, the task of teaching skillful reading and writing becomes increasingly complex as classes fill with students who are culturally, linguistically, and cognitively diverse. Recent reports by the National Research Council suggest a need for in-school specialists who can provide the high-quality reading instruction children need to succeed in a global society.
The Master of Arts in Literacy Education program at Roger Williams University is designed to provide teachers with the skills necessary to succeed as literacy specialists. Our faculty is dedicated to delivering high-quality instruction to help teachers develop competencies in instruction, assessment, and leadership for literacy programs. Moreover, the program is structured to provide maximum convenience for the professional educator; students take only one course per term and classes meet in late afternoon to accommodate teachers' daily work schedules.
Curriculum
The Literacy Education program is standards-based and all learning experiences are guided by the International Reading Association Standards for Reading Professionals. The program is made up of 10 courses clustered into three Curriculum Levels arranged in a developmental sequence: Level 1: Explorations; Level 2: Investigations; Level 3: Professionalism. Students are grouped into cohorts.
Criteria for Admission to the Program
Applicants are accepted for admission to the Master of Arts in Literacy Education program on a rolling basis. Applicants must hold an earned bachelor's degree and have attained an overall GPA of 3.00 or greater in undergraduate work. A valid teaching certificate is also required.
MA Literacy Program Requirements
Level 1: Explorations
EDU 505 Technology Applications in the Classroom
EDU 610 Introduction to Literacy Research
EDU 614 Developing Language and Literacy
EDU 618 Literature for Children and Young Adults
Level 2: Investigations
EDU 622 Research-based Literacy Practices
EDU 626 Guiding Learning in Content Subjects, K-12
EDU 634 Assessment of Reaching and Writing Difficulties
EDU 638 Clinical Experience in Literacy Education
Level 3: Professionalism
EDU 650 Leadership for Literacy Professionals
EDU 654 Advanced Literacy Research Seminar