MAT in Elementary Education (licensure)
If you have your bachelor’s degree and a desire to teach PreK through 8th grade, you can pursue your preliminary teaching license in either our 11-month full-time MAT or 22-month MAT-Evening (MAT-E) program. You’ll join a cohort of no more than 25 like-minded students on our campus in Portland, Oregon. Our cohort model results in a high level of collaboration and learning among peers — as well as built-in networking. And our highly experienced, easily accessible professors make sure you’re getting the support you need.
Graduates of Concordia’s MAT/MAT-E in elementary education program leave the university prepared to work in a self-contained classroom, teaching multiple subjects to elementary-aged students.
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Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Small cohorts, easily accessible faculty
Curriculum is up-to-date and relevant
Graduates of our master’s programs enjoy teaching opportunities throughout the US and worldwide
Concordia is one of the most respected names in learning today
Endorsed by the Teachers Standard and Practices Commission, Oregon’s licensing agency for all educators
Online Master of Arts in Teaching - Elementary Education
36 credits
MAT 501
Issues, Ethics, and Equity
This course reviews myriad educational trends and issues that impact teaching and learning. It also explores how and why to promote character development among students, and focuses on the importance of professional ethics. The course addresses systemic inequities, bias, and other factors that serve as barriers to students in the current educational system. This course is highly interactive and employs team presentations, robust discussion, and small-group learning.
MAT 503
Planning and Instruction: Elementary
This course is designed to equip elementary education candidates with skills for student-centered instruction. These include best practices in unit planning, lesson planning, teaching strategies and presentation methods. In addition, this course introduces the edTPA portfolio process.
MAT 536
Evaluation and Assessment of Learning: Elementary
This course examines a variety of assessment tools and methods that impact the practices of elementary-level classroom teachers. As a result of this course, candidates will acquire a foundational understanding of assessment literacy and application within the education profession.
MAT 548
Classroom Management: Elementary
This course prepares candidates to organize and manage all aspects of an elementary classroom: discipline, scheduling, student assessment, record-keeping, grouping, classroom environment, and curriculum. It focuses on the development of effective parent communication skills and the need to establish a healthy classroom rapport that promotes student learning. It helps candidates develop sensitivity, knowledge, and skills for working with students and families from culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse backgrounds, as well as students with special needs.
MAT 556
The Whole Child and Learning
This course explores the development of the whole child from early childhood through early adolescence. Candidates will consider biological and environmental influences that impact the lives of children as development levels across domains are addressed. With this understanding, candidates will investigate a variety of learning theories and practices and develop a personal pedagogy for teaching.
MAT 560
Curriculum and Instruction: Math
This course prepares candidates for the role of teaching math in the preschool and elementary classroom. The course provides candidates with a varied repertoire of teaching skills and methods for teaching math in a way that is interesting, engaging, and informative, and leads toward goals and objectives of the state, the school, and the teacher. In addition, the candidate will use state standards to develop lesson plans and a unit plan in math.
MAT 563
Curriculum and Instruction: Reading and Language Arts
This course provides candidates the knowledge and resources necessary to provide PK-8 instruction and assessment in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Candidates will: understand the essential components of the reading/writing process; learn reliable procedures and resources for teaching beginning and developmental reading; be equipped to use a diagnostic teaching approach to literacy; and be introduced to various instructional tools and methods that meet the diverse needs of learners, including students with indicators of dyslexia.
MAT 567
Integrating Social Studies, Science, and the Arts
Through this course, teacher candidates will develop skills in content integration, using science and social studies as themes for planning. Candidates will be provided with a varied repertoire of teaching skills and methods for integrating social studies, science, and the arts in a manner that is interesting, engaging, and informative. Support will be given as candidates develop an integrated unit plan that aligns with current National and State standards.
MAT 590
Differentiating for the Learning Community
This course helps teacher candidates consider a variety of student backgrounds and needs (e.g. students with learning disabilities, students with indicators of dyslexia, and students who have been impacted by trauma). The course includes research and strategies that promote differentiated instruction, cultural responsiveness, and community building within the general-education classroom.
EDEL 531
Strategies and Materials for Teaching English Learners
This course helps candidates develop skills needed to teach English to speakers of other languages. These skills include the ability to implement various methods of language teaching, the ability to develop curriculum materials in ESOL, the assessment of student proficiency in second language use, and the ability to involve parents and the community in second language education programs.
MAT 552
Practicum: Elementary
The practicum is one of two clinical experiences required to obtain the Oregon PK–12 Preliminary Teaching License, with an elementary multiple-subjects endorsement. MAT candidates complete eight a minimum of seven weeks at their assigned school, teaching as often as possible and participating in all classroom activities.
Prerequisites: State Fingerprinting required
MAT 592
Student Teaching: Elementary
Student teaching is one of two clinical experiences required to obtain the Oregon PK-12 Preliminary Teaching License, with an elementary multiple-subjects endorsement. This course is a 12-week, full-time immersion into all aspects of classroom life. Candidates are assigned to an elementary classroom and assume the numerous roles of a teacher as they work up to a full-time instructional load. Student teachers create and teach one edTPA portfolio and attend professional seminars during this semester.
Prerequisites: State Fingerprinting required
Concordia’s MAT students have a way of standing out — even to other educators. Find out what Jennifer McCalley, principal at Faubion School, has to say about what Concordia teachers bring to the classroom from day one — and why they’re at the top of her hiring list.
3toPhD®
Through our groundbreaking 3toPhD® partnership, Concordia’s College of Education is housed with urban, diverse Faubion School and its 800+ pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade students — much to the benefit of both schools. MAT students gain unparalleled experience in their field, being able to immediately apply what they learn in their coursework by walking down the hall to work in a real classroom. Faubion students gain reading skills, life skills, and the confidence that comes from having even more adults involved and invested in their educational success. It’s a win-win for everyone — including parents, families, and the surrounding community.
The closeness of relationships on campus was instantly palpable the minute I was here. I could tell right away that I would fit here at Concordia. You feel that sense of community from the get-go.