Teacher Education — Food Service Education Concentration

Grad Campus

(Graduate School)

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

Teacher Education (M.A.T.)

The Master of Arts in Teaching program prepares graduates to apply for certification in one of the following areas:

• Elementary Education and Elementary Special Education
• Business Education and Secondary Special Education
• Food Service Education (certified and noncertified option available)

All students in the M.A.T. program matriculate through the program as a cohort and follow a prescribed sequence of classes.

As a state-approved program leading to certification, Johnson & Wales University's M.A.T. program complies with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

In keeping with the JWU Core Value of experientially based learning, the M.A.T. program has adopted an essential and unique fieldwork component to the program. Students learn about research-based theories and best practices in university classrooms, and concurrently spend time in K-12 classrooms each week to apply what they have learned in an effort to support and improve K-12 student learning. To accomplish this, teacher candidates observe and plan lessons for small group and whole class instruction, and reflect deeply on their practice. Candidates are required to visit diverse urban and suburban school settings that reflect the grade levels and content areas commensurate with their chosen program concentration.

To further support teacher candidate learning, the M.A.T. program also includes mandatory educational research seminars as part of the graduation requirements. These six seminars are scheduled throughout the first year of the program. Additionally, teacher candidates are required to keep a portfolio of evidence based on meeting the Rhode Island Professional Teacher Standards (RIPTS), the Cultural Competency (CC) standards, and, in the case of those with a special education concentration, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards. Defense of this portfolio is also a program graduation requirement.

M.A.T. Admission Requirements

Applicants will be reviewed for eligibility* by the School of Education. Eligible applicants will be considered for admission into the M.A.T. degree program after they have completed the following process:

1. Submit a completed application.
2. Submit two current letters of reference from individuals who are qualified to assess the applicant's potential as a teacher.
3. Submit Praxis I scores.
   As per Rhode Island Department of Education requirements, certification applicants must score at least 175 in mathematics and reading and 173 in writing, or a composite score of 523 with no test score more than three points less than the cut. In place of Praxis I results, candidates for admission may submit SAT, ACT or GRE scores taken within the past five years. Score requirements vary for noncertification food service candidates. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 401-598-1993 for specific score requirements beyond the Praxis I scores listed here.
4. Submit an official copy of undergraduate transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 2.75** and evidence of content knowledge in areas specific to desired certification.
   All coursework in these areas must show a grade of B or above in order for the admissions candidate to avoid having to take additional course work prior to being granted full admission into the program:
   
   Elementary Education/Elementary and Secondary Special Education
   - mathematics (college level)
   - literature
   - writing/composition
   - science (biology, chemistry, physics)
   - history (American survey course)
   - educational or developmental (child/adolescent) psychology
   
   Secondary Business Education
   All of the above, and evidence of the following, either through transcript or significant work experience:
   - accounting
   - business law
   - management
   - marketing
   - economics
   - career development
   - personal finance
   - information technology
   - international business
   - keyboarding
   
   Food Service Education
   - transcript approval by culinary academic dean
    
5. Complete a successful interview with M.A.T. staff in which he/she will answer questions regarding his/her knowledge of and dispositions toward teaching, complete an on-demand writing sample, and sign a form acknowledging
   - the sequence, scope and policies of the teacher education program
   - the fact that the university will not award the degree until all program requirements are fully completed and submitted by the candidate, and that the Rhode Island Department of Education makes all decisions regarding the awarding of licensure
   - the fact that field work in K-12 classrooms is an integral part of the program and must be completed weekly during school hours for all applicable university courses
   - any additional policies/procedures that the program sees fit
6. Have a criminal background check as required by Rhode Island general laws.

Teacher Education — Food Service Education Concentration*

Certification Requirements

Teacher candidates who are pursuing initial teacher certification in one or more areas by the Rhode Island Department of Education must satisfactorily pass several transition points throughout the program. This is the pathway to qualify to student teach and eventually be recommended for licensure. Key among these transitions is the following:

Assessment Prior to Student Teaching

Student teaching usually occurs during the candidate's final term(s). Permission to student teach will be granted to candidates who have

• achieved a program GPA of 3.0
• passed the appropriate content exam for the concentration area(s)
• passed a portfolio review with acceptable evidence of significant progress toward meeting the Rhode Island Professional Teacher Standards (RIPTS) as well as standards from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and Cultural Competencies (CC)
• Passed a video assessment of readiness for student teaching

Assessment Prior to Recommendation for Program Completion

Having completed the needed transition point that indicates successful completion of all student teaching requirements, the teacher candidate will present his/her completed portfolio/capstone to a team of evaluators. This portfolio will contain evidence to prove that the candidate has achieved all program standards to the level appropriate to an emerging teacher.

In addition, the candidate for licensure must have passed all tests required by RIDE for licensure in the area(s) sought, and must have evidence of completing all other requirements for the awarding of the M.A.T. degree.

Upon meeting all of these requirements, the director of the teacher education program shall make the appropriate recommendation regarding the awarding of the M.A.T. degree and state licensure.

While JWU awards the M.A.T. degree, it is important to note that the Rhode Island Department of Education makes the final decision regarding the granting of licensure.

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