Graduate

The School of Education (SEd) at Roger Williams University is proud to offer a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. This degree is available through either a one-year, intensive residency program in collaboration with the Gordon School or through our traditional two-year, campus-based model.

Master of Arts in Teaching

Our Master of Arts in Teaching degree is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and expertise to work as professional elementary school teachers, and is offered to students who hold a bachelor's degree in any major. Our faculty members are dedicated to helping graduate students develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions in instructional and assessment practices critical to success in the modern elementary school classroom.

As a graduate student at Roger Williams University, you will explore the historical, philosophical and social issues associated with teaching and learning, and will learn to interpret and incorporate your research findings into your academic endeavors. A mix of in-class and practical instruction will give you a well-rounded educational experience, completed by a graduate practicum.

Throughout your studies, you will take advantage of individual attention from the University's distinguished faculty members - the hallmark of a Roger Williams graduate education. You will also benefit from a myriad of opportunities for research and collaboration at the School of Education, which offers a dynamic learning environment for all students.

Roger Williams University offers two Elementary Education programs leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). The first is a campus-based program that working adults generally complete in two years. The second is a residency program offered in partnership with the Gordon School in East Providence. Both programs lead to certification as a grade 1-6 teacher in Rhode Island and all as participants in the Interstate Certification Compact (ICC).* Individuals preparing to enter the teaching profession through either program should be high-performing students who are eager to investigate the challenges of collaborating with colleagues and partnering with families to teach all students in America’s diverse classrooms to high standards, and to ensure that all students achieve at high levels.

Requirements for the Campus-based Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education
(All courses are three credits unless otherwise indicated)

Curriculum Level 1: Exploring the Profession

Curriculum Level 2: Preparing to Teach

Curriculum Level 3: Performing in the Classroom

Teacher Residency Program at the Gordon School and Roger Williams University: Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Elementary Education

The Teacher Residency MAT program is a jointly offered, full time, 12-month immersion program in which graduate students work as Teaching Residents with experienced teachers during school hours, and enroll in courses taught by RWU on the Bristol campus, and Gordon faculty on-site in East Providence, throughout the summer and regular academic year. The program is designed to enable Teaching Residents to integrate theory, research, and practical experience in a classroom and school community that values and practices multicultural education and teaching for social justice. Additionally, it provides opportunities to work intensively with elementary students in Providence Schools during the Summer and Winter Intersession terms.

Students in the Teacher Residency Program are assessed by a modified version of the RWU Teacher Education Performance Assessment System. The guiding principles of performance assessment suggest that all students should be evaluated on their highest performance in a given area. During course work, Teaching Residents are continually evaluated in the context of preparing and performing real teaching tasks. In addition to the materials they have submitted for program admission, candidates complete assessments in Internship and Seminar I (Fall) and Internship and Seminar II (Spring). They present their Portfolios orally towards the conclusion of the program.

Requirements for the Teacher Residency Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education

Course Schedule for Teacher Residency Program at Gordon School and Roger Williams University