Elementary K-5 (MAT)
The Elementary K-5 master's program results in students receiving a Master of ARts in Teaching (MAT) degree and a Tennessee License to teach grades K-5.
MAT candidates must apply for admission to TEP before the end of the second semester and fulfill all TEP requirements. Candidates must have a 3.0 graduate GPA to be admitted to TEP and maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the graduate program. Candidates must pass Praxis II exams to be licensed to teach in Tennessee. For information on registration, costs, and more, visit the Educational Testing Service and use the dropdown menu to find the correct required exams. Job Embedded Practitioner (JEP) License candidates can visit our JEP site for more information or contact Mary Lanier, our license and certification specialist.
For the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), all candidates obtaining a MAT and TN Teaching License must complete The Professional Seminar (ICL 7993). Each candidate must also complete and pass a nationally scored teacher performance assessment. You are only required to submit the edTPA portfolio if you are enrolled in ICL 7808. Job-embedded teacher candidates are not required to submit the edTPA.
For additional information, please contact LaRuth Lofties, MAT Academic Counselor.
Degree Timeline
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall I Semester (6 Hours)
- SPED 7000 - Introduction to Exceptional Learners**
- ICL 7059 - Models of Instruction
Timeline
- Begin studying/preparing for your Praxis Content exams.
- Required Exams: 5001 (Elementary Education) and 5205 (Teaching Reading)
Suggested Course Sequence for Spring I Semester (6 Hours)
- ICL 7709 - Urban Learning Environment**
- IDT 7061 - Instructional Design Education Technology
Timeline
- Continue your Praxis support and studying.
- Continue to take your Praxis Content exam(s).
- If you are not admitted to TEP, you will not be able to continue Level 2 coursework.
Suggested Course Sequence for Summer I Semester (6 Hours)
- EDPR 7111 - Child Psychology Applied to Education or SPED 7015 - Teaching Students with Exceptionalities Across Differences and Abilities
- LITL 7552 - Foundational Skills: Phonological Awareness and Phonics
Timeline
- Continue to take Praxis II Content exam(s) if needed.
- Apply for TEP Admissions.
Courses with asterisks (**) have clinical/field hours connected to them. You will be expected to visit a school to complete these hours. Your course instructor will share the number of hours to be completed with you.
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall II Semester (9 Hours)
- LITL 7553 - Literacy Development K-4**
- ICL 7654 - Methods for Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary Grades
- ICL 7605 - Methods for Teaching Science in the Elementary Grades**
Timeline
- Complete Clinical Teaching application
Suggested Course Sequence for Spring II Semester (9 Hours)
- LITL 7554 - Literacy Development 5-8**
- ICL 7504 - Methods for Teaching Math in the Elementary Grades**
- EDPR 7521 - Introduction to Educational Research
Timeline
- Complete Clinical Teaching application, if needed
Courses with asterisks (**) have clinical/field hours connected to them. You will be expected to visit a school to complete these hours. Your course instructor will share the number of hours to be completed with you.
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall III - Clinical Teaching Candidates (9 Hours)
- ICL 7808 - The Clinical Teaching Semester
- ICL 7993 - Professional Seminar
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall III - Job Embedded Candidates (3 Hours)
- ICL 7992 - Master's Project
Timeline
- Candidates should have all courses completed and have passed Praxis 5001 (Elementary Education) exam prior to enrolling in Level 3 courses
- Candidates who plan to graduate must apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester through their myMemphis portal. (Visit The University of Memphis Commencement Office for more information)
- An application is required one (1) semester prior to The Clinical Teaching Semester - ICL 7808.
- All clinical teaching candidates must take the Professional Seminar to obtain licensure - ICL 7993.
- No other courses may be taken with the clinical teaching semester and/or the ICL 7993 Professional Seminar or 7992 Master's Project classes
- Candidates who have an active Job Embedded Practitioner License will be exempt from submitting the edTPA