Middle Level Language Arts

The MAT degree in Middle Level Language Arts is designed to:

• Provide a thorough course of study in human growth and development;
• Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management;
• Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction;
• Provide a thorough course of study in human growth and development;
• Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management;
• Promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices that are related to middle level language arts education;
• Plan, implement and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings as a student-teacher*;
• Organize and effectively manage placement in the public schools in grades 5 through 8.

*The PRAXIS II exam is taken by students before the completion of student teaching.

More Reasons to Choose Converse

Veteran Faculty: Our faculty has experience in middle school classrooms in public education as teachers, administrators, or special consultants.

Quality Education: Our curriculum is aligned with professional standards and meets all the requirements for national approvals by the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP), approved by the South Carolina Department of Education. You will be qualified for certification reciprocity with many other states.

Community Partnerships: We enjoy close proximity to and partnerships with local public schools enabling you to have diverse experiences in a variety of schools while introducing you to a broad spectrum of student populations and work opportunities.

Clinical Experiences: The teacher education curriculum at Converse includes sequential clinical experiences in public school settings. You will complete at least two of these clinical experiences prior to student teaching.

Convenience: Flexibility is essential for students who manage busy work schedules and personal commitments. Most required courses are conducted after 4 p.m., accommodating students’ busy schedules. We work with students one-on-one to accommodate their specific needs, allowing them to balance their work life, personal life and school.

Degree Prestige and Value: Since 1890, Converse has provided students with education rooted in the liberal arts. Converse University graduates are principled and productive citizens capable of creative thinking and problem solving.

Applicants must have the following:

• Graduation from an accredited college;
• Overall GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for full admission;
• A major undergraduate program appropriate for the requested teaching area;
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Admissions will require a competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test

Visit the graduate catalog for detailed admission requirements.

For consideration of admission, the applicant should have the following credentials:

• A completed online application, including the $40 application fee
• Official degree-granting undergraduate transcript and graduate transcripts from all colleges attended.
• A competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test
• Two letters of recommendation
• A personal statement – Converse’s founder, Dexter Edgar Converse, held the ideal that Converse students “may be enabled to see clearly, decide wisely, and to act justly.” Please write a personal statement, approximately 250-300 words in length, on how your personal goals as an educator tie with the Converse concept of The “Ideal” Educator. In keeping with the Honor Tradition at Converse, your essay must be entirely your own work. Please be specific on how Converse can help you become the “Ideal” Educator, taking special care to organize your essay clearly and proofread your work. The personal statement should be submitted as a part of the application or emailed to the Office of Graduate Admission.

The MAT in Middle Level Language Arts has a minimum of 45 graduate semester hours. The program will consist of 36 hours in Professional Education and 9 to 18 hours in content area courses. The number of content hours required may vary depending on your post-secondary academic background.

Converse’s goal is to cultivate teachers with the cultural characteristics and school practices that reflect the needs of the middle school students and the middle school philosophy. All of the courses in the program are designed to develop, improve, and continually upgrade the process in which our candidates seek to improve on ways they can develop knowledge of their students and their fields.

These courses are designed to keep their students engaged in learning, to provide a caring and challenging environment, to use a variety of texts to promote opportunities to learn acceptance and appreciation of others, to continue to develop instructional resources, to set attainable and worthwhile learning goals for students, and to develop meaningful learning opportunities for their students. A component for self- reflection and growth is included in each of the core courses as well as the content area courses.

Visit the graduate catalog for current course descriptions

View benchmark worksheets for an outline of academic requirements for this program

See comprehensive graduate tuition and fees here.*

*Tuition and fees subject to change

Learn about Financial Aid opportunities.