Anyone with a bachelor’s degree who wants to become an elementary school teacher and earn a graduate degree can now do so at Thomas University.
 
This fall Thomas University will begin offering the Master of Arts in Elementary Education degree. Students who complete the degree can become teachers in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
 
“The MAT in Elementary Education leads to an advanced degree and initial certification in elementary grades,” said Dr. Susan Lynn, Chair of the Division of Education. “The curriculum provides both knowledge of the content and instructional strategies required of PK-5 educators. Instead of completing a traditional undergraduate teaching preparation program, the MAT in Elementary Education allows a person to obtain certification in grades PK-5 while completing an advanced degree.”
 
The MAT in Elementary Education classes will be online with meetings on Saturdays.
 
“We employ a cohort model with fall and spring semester courses meeting for 16 weeks every other week on Saturdays online synchronously via Zoom, with independent online coursework in the off weeks,” said Dr. Susan Lynn, Chair of the Division of Education. “In the summer semester, courses will meet each Saturday online synchronously via Zoom for eight weeks.”
 
The program is designed for paraprofessionals who have a bachelor’s degree, career-changing professionals with a bachelor’s degree, and teachers who hold a provisional certificate and want to earn an induction certificate at the master’s degree level.
 
“Students coming to the MAT programs may be working full-time in schools or another career, so we understand that our program must be both high quality as well as flexible,” Lynn said. “Our degree is offered on Saturdays, so if you have a full-time job during the week, you can participate.”
 
Field experiences are required with the MAT in Elementary Education, and TU faculty work to meet the needs of students.
 
“Field experiences will be offered in localities where students live,” Lynn said. “The MAT in Elementary Education requires 48 credit hours, although nine hours can be exempted with the presentation of a passing score on the Elementary Education GACE examination.”