Page 10 - EKU COE Graduate Program Book

Feature Interview with
How would you describe the goals of EKU’s MAED and Add Certification programs for
Literacy Specialist P-12?
Dr. James Dantic, MAT Program Coordinator
The Literacy programs are for current teachers interested in becoming literacy leaders and
james.dantic@eku.edu
experts in their school, district, or community.
How would you describe the goals of EKU’s MAT degree?
The Master of Arts in Teaching Program provides an alternative route for those individuals who hold non-teaching degrees. The MAT program provides candidates the opportunity to obtain initial teaching certification based upon their existing content course work though a convenient, defined graduate experience. Through EKU’s MAT program, individuals are thoroughly prepared to be effective professional educators who will be contributing members of their local schools and communities.
What are some highlights of program experiences?
The MAT program allows individuals the opportunity to couple existing content coursework with targeted teacher preparation courses and clinical experiences to make career changes and cultivate new personal opportunities while supporting their local education community. Through real world, hands-on experiences during clinical placements in their local schools, candidates engage in authentic student support activities, lesson preparation, teaching and professional mentoring each semester.
Why do candidates select this program?
Ease of access is certainly an appealing aspect of the EKU’s program. It offers an online course format which makes access to the program curriculum quite convenient. Additionally, the program facilitates clinical placements for candidates in school districts in or near their home counties and communities. Finally, EKU’s MAT program supports temporary provisional teacher certification for those candidates who gain clear admission, and as a result, candidates can begin their careers as teachers while simultaneously completing MAT course work.
Are there any significant accomplishments by your candidates?
Through access to temporary provisional certification, MAT candidates often accept teaching positions which local districts have difficulty filling. These district needs are evident when one considers that most EKU MAT candidates at some point assume temporary provisional certification prior to completing their program. These graduates also have a very high retention rate in their districts.