Track 1: for Licensed Teachers

Since 1994, Hollins has offered the master of arts in teaching, Track 1. Participants in the program work with others who:

• have a long-term commitment to teaching;
• want to learn more about the practice of teaching;
• want to acquire and generate new knowledge;
• want to develop curriculum in collaborative teams; and
• have an interest in assuming leadership roles within their schools.

Men and women joining the program will have the opportunity to work with Hollins faculty in the areas of learning, writing, inquiry, instructional design, leadership, and contemporary issues in education. Faculty encourage collaborative efforts and provide opportunities for students to learn from one another. An essential part of the program includes studies in the liberal arts.

To Apply

Students seeking admission to Track 1 must provide proof of successful teaching experience and submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation (one from a current supervisor), all transcripts from undergraduate and graduate studies, an application form, and $40 processing fee.
   Click here for our online application.

Requirements for the Degree

This M.A.T. degree consists of 40 credit hours offered over a two- to three-year period. Courses are taught during summer, fall, and spring semesters. Courses are taught during evenings at times compatible with a teacher's schedule. Students have five years from matriculation in which to meet degree requirements.

Fees and Financial Aid

Fees are $275 per credit hour (licensed, practicing teachers receive a $10 per credit discount). Hollins is pleased to offer a grant up to the cost of a credit hour ($275) toward a 4-credit course to students whose employer (Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem, Botetourt, etc.) provides matching funds. Students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $100 at the beginning of each semester. All deposits will be credited toward the semester's tuition charges. Student loans and other types of financial aid may be available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance. Questions regarding financial assistance may be addressed to that office at (540) 362-6332. The technology fee is $70 per semester for up through eight credits and $140 per semester for nine credits or more.

Schedule of Studies

The director of the M.A.T. will meet with each student to define educational goals and to outline an individualized plan of study. Students are required to take EDUC 506, EDUC 507, EDUC 530, EDUC 546, EDUC 548, and EDUC 600 plus SOCSCI 500C: Research Methods, and three other courses (two of which must be from the liberal arts offerings) for a total of 40 credits. The equivalent of two graduate courses may be transferred to the M.A.T. degree with approval by the director of the program.

COURSES

EDUC 506: Writing to Communicate (4) Moseley
Oral language, literacy, and writing are important media for education. This course will present a historical overview of writing instruction during the past 50 years. It focuses on effective writing as teaching and learning, as clear thinking, and as communication. Following new approaches to writing to learn and learning to write, participants will work collaboratively in exploring various theories as a means for writing in all disciplines. Topics include developing, structuring, revising and editing using APA, MLA, and other formats. Participants refine their own writing skills in a collaborative writing workshop.

EDUC 507: Psychology Applied to Teaching and Learning (4) Bowman
This course is designed to enable students to develop an understanding of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of school-aged learners; to gain insight into ways family disruption, abuse, and social, ethnic, physical, mental, and other differences affect learning; and how to use this knowledge to guide appropriate learning experiences. Current research efforts and developing theories that concentrate on teaching and learning processes (multiple intelligences, constructivism, brain-based learning) applicable for diverse student populations will be addressed. Offered summer 2008.

EDUC 530: Contemporary Issues in Education (4) Fowler
This course will address current issues affecting classrooms in local, rural, suburban, and urban areas. These issues include, but are not limited to, the basic instruction of diverse populations, legal considerations, technology, violence, drugs, and how these issues affect teaching and learning. Through collaborative inquiry into problem-based learning projects, participants will seek strategies for addressing and solving these challenges.

EDUC 541: Education in American Society (4) Reiff 
This course is designed to enable students to develop an understanding of the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations underlying the role, development and organization of public education in America. Topics addressed include the legal status of teachers and students, including federal and state laws and regulations; the school as an organization/culture; and contemporary issues affecting schools such as violence, drugs, technology, and instruction of diverse populations. Field work and a research paper are required. Prerequisite or corequisite to other M.A.T. track 2 courses. Offered summer 2008.

EDUC 546: Designing and Assessing Instruction (4) Fowler
Students work individually and in cooperative learning groups to develop new interdisciplinary curriculum models for use in their classrooms and schools. Emphasis will be on the integration of content areas, the use of appropriate technologies as tools for teaching and learning, on the development of new teaching strategies and resources for the emerging models, and on multiple methods of assessment.

EDUC 548: Classroom Technology Integration (4) Altice/Layman
This course focuses on needs of practicing and pre-service classroom teachers for information to assist them as they effectively integrate technology across the curriculum. It will also cover the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel. Concepts as well as hands-on instruction will be provided. A portfolio will be required upon completion.

EDUC 600: Project/Thesis (4)
Students will address issues confronting them in their own classrooms and schools and conduct quantitative/qualitative research to investigate an area of particular interest. They will integrate knowledge gained from research, course work, and educational experiences into a culminating project or thesis that will improve teaching and learning within their environments.

SOSCI 500C: Heritage Core: Research Methods in Social Science (4) Ra
This course has a twofold purpose: developing critical skills for analyzing scholarly research works and learning various methods of social scientific research.

Additional Courses Required for Program
three content courses from liberal arts offerings (12)

042508

Program for Licensed
Teachers - Track 1

Program to Earn
Licensure - Track 2

Faculty

Hollins M.A.T. Leads
to New Job

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CONTACT
(General information)
Graduate Studies Office
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA 24020
(540) 362-6575
hugrad@hollins.edu


(Program Director)
Kristi Fowler
(540) 362-6249
kfowler@hollins.edu

"As an educator in the museum field, I wanted to have the opportunity to earn my licensure while obtaining my M.A. in teaching. Even while working full time, Hollins allowed me the flexibility to do both. Invaluable experience in the classroom and ongoing support from the faculty in the education department provided me with all of the tools I needed to be a success. Hands-on experience, in-depth lectures, and hearing from fellow teachers allowed me to explore various teaching methods, to understand contemporary issues in the field, to design curriculums for the classroom, and to implement fun yet meaningful teaching strategies and lessons that would have the most impact on diverse groups of students. Though I have always had a passion for teaching, Hollins provided me the background and tools to accomplish it successfully." 

  
April Cheek
M.A.T. '02

"My goal is not to be the one about whom they say, 'When is she going to retire?' Hollins' M.A.T. program reawakened my passion for the classroom. The whole program helped us be better thinkers and better teachers, and to emphasize writing. At Hollins, they honor the individual. As a first-grade teacher, that's real important to me."