Master of Arts in Education
The Master of Arts in Education degree program engages students in an advanced study of teaching, learning, assessment, and curriculum development. Principles of social justice serve as a back drop for examining each of the above four domains of knowledge within the context of being productive educators serving a diverse population of students. The program is designed for K-12 educators and credential students to earn a master’s degree that is relevant to producing effective classroom teachers and teacher leaders.
Admission to the Program
In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:
- completion of a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate with a grade point average of at least 2.5
- good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
- currently enrolled in a teaching credential program or hold a valid California Teaching Credential.
- submission of two letters of recommendation from established educators who can judge your competence to succeed in a rigorous graduate program;
- submission of a statement of purpose of no more than 150 words including the applicant's personal goals for the graduate education program.
Students who do not meet these criteria may be admitted as conditionally classified graduate students. Change to classified standing can be made only with approval of the College of Education. No more than 15 semester units may be used to demonstrate fitness to complete the program.
Advancement to Candidacy
In order to be advanced to candidacy, a student must have:
- Achieved classified standing;
- Met Writing Requirement for Graduate Candidacy
- Completed, with a grade point average of 3.0 ("B"), at least 12 semester units of applicable coursework in graduate standing, at least 9 of which must have been on this campus and approved by an advisor in the College of Education;
Note: Between the time of completing 9 units and 12 units of applicable course work, the student is required to apply for advancement to candidacy - Filed an approved graduate program for completion of the degree. This must be prepared in consultation with a program advisor from the Department of Teacher Education and Foundations.
Requirements for Graduation
- A minimum of 30 semester units of acceptable graduate level work, with at least 24 completed in residence at this university;
- The Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement is met through successful completion of the Undergraduate Upper Division writing course from any accredited university;
- An overall grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) for the program, and grades of “C” (2.0) or better in each course taken to satisfy the MAT degree requirements;
- Successful completion of Core courses, and successful completion of requirements in Track A (Thesis/Project option) or Track B (Comprehensive examination option).
- The program plan may not include more than 9 semester units in approved extension and transfer courses from other colleges. CSUSB will not consider for transfer credit course work from an institution which will not accept that work in its own advanced degree program.
- Students who take the Comprehensive Examination i.e., EMAT 6980 will also take EMAT 6979. Students may take the examination only twice;
- Any additional general requirements not cited above and listed in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements.
Degree Requirements (30 units)
| Core courses (12) | ||
| EMAT 6006 | Secondary Education Special Topics (Capstone) | 3 |
| EMAT 6013 | Educational Research: Inquiry into Classrooms | 3 |
| EMAT 6015 | Leadership in Education | 3 |
| EMAT 6605 | Advanced Topics in Education | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (3) | 3 | |
| Advanced Study in Literacy across the Curriculum | ||
| Advanced Teaching Methods | ||
| Social Justice in Education | ||
| Advanced Educational Psychology | ||
| Concentration (12) | ||
| Students must satisfy the requirements of one of the concentrations listed below. | 12 | |
| Culiminating Experience (3) | ||
| Students must satisfy the requirements of one of the culiminating experiences listed below. | 3 | |
| Total Units | 30 | |
Culminating Experience (3 units)
| EMAT 6979 | Comprehensive Preparation in Teacher Education | 3 |
| EMAT 6980 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| Total Units | 3 | |
Concentrations (12 units)
Elementary Concentration
(Program Code: EDEL)
| Choose 12 units from the following | 12 | |
| Technology and Instructional Practices for Educators | ||
| Education, Diversity and Social Justice | ||
| Mathematics Teaching and Learning | ||
| Science Teaching and Learning | ||
| Social Studies and the Arts Teaching and Learning | ||
| Social Studies and the Arts Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Settings | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
Secondary Concentration
(Program Code: EDSE)
| Choose 9 units from the following | 9 | |
| Classroom Management & Pedagogy | ||
| Educational Equity and Advocacy | ||
| Pedagogical Foundations for English Language Learners in Secondary Classrooms | ||
| Pedagogical Foundations for English Language Learners in Secondary Classrooms | ||
| Adolescent Development and Educational Theory | ||
| Literacy Across the Content Areas | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: Art | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: English | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: World Language | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: Mathematics | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: Music | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: Physical Education | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: Science | ||
| Methods of Teaching in the Content Areas: Social Science | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |