Department of Educational Theory, Policy, and Practice

Degree:  Master of Arts in Teaching

Specialization/Major/Concentration: Elementary grades 1-5

 

Program Purpose and Objectives

LSU’s Holmes Elementary Education Program is designed to include an undergraduate degree in education, followed by a fifth year of work at the graduate level. Students are initially admitted into the undergraduate portion of the Holmes program during their sophomore year. During the junior and senior years, elementary majors (1) complete an academic concentration of approximately 18 hours; (2) participate in field experiences in Professional Development Schools; and (3) complete three hours of graduate level course work in preparation for the program’s fifth year.

Elementary education majors are granted a Bachelor’s of Science in Education at the end of the program’s fourth year. Then, upon admission to the LSU Graduate School and with acceptance by the Holmes admissions committee, prospective elementary teachers complete certification course work requirements and an M.A.T. during the fifth year of the program. The fifth year includes two semester-long practicum experiences and the completion of a teacher research project.

The graduate professional education and certification program leading to a master’s degree and certification (upon successful completion of all PRAXIS requirements) places LSU’s future teacher education graduates in advantaged positions as they begin their teaching careers. Prospective teacher education students should note that the graduate program is highly selective.

Admission requirements

Junior Year Cohort:
• Students apply for the Junior Year cohort of the Elementary Holmes Program in the spring of the sophomore year. Applications are available in the Office of Student Services (236 Peabody Hall; edinfo@lsu.edu) on the first day of the spring semester and are due by March 1st.
• Admissions requirements for the Holmes junior year cohort include enrollment in the College of Education, a 2.75 or higher GPA, and successful completion of the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (PPST) portions of the PRAXIS series or an official ACT/SAT composite score of 22/1030 or higher on record with LSU.
• Sophomores applying to the junior year cohort must submit the following application materials to the Office of Student Services: a completed cover sheet (provided in packet), official PRAXIS scores (PPST) or an official ACT/SAT composite score of 22/1030 or higher on record with LSU, official college transcripts, autobiographical essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Fifth Year Cohort:
• Once admitted into the Junior Year cohort, prospective students apply for the graduate portion of the program in the spring of the senior year. Application materials are due by March 15th.
• Admissions requirements for the fifth-year cohort include admission to LSU Graduate School and successful completion of Praxis II (Elementary Education:  Content Knowledge [#0014] and Principles of Learning and Teaching:  Grades K- 6 [#0522]). Admission to the LSU Graduate School requires a gpa of at least a 3.00 on all undergraduate work and a 3.00 gpa or better on any graduate work already completed.

** Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the Holmes teacher education program. Holmes Admissions Committees will select from among qualified applicants those students to be admitted into the five-year program.

Course requirements

Undergraduate Degree Requirements:
Please consult the LSU General Catalog (http://www.lsu.edu/catalogs/) for undergraduate degree requirements.

Graduate Degree Requirements:

SUMMER 1 SEMESTER, 9 HOURS
Holmes Introductory Courses ……………………………………….. 6
Graduate Elective (4000+, Reading or Language Arts)...……… 3

FALL SEMESTER, 12 HOURS
EDCI 7480 (Teaching Practicum)……………………………………6
EDCI 7482 (Research in Teaching, Seminar I)……………………3
EDCI 7484 (Master’s Project I)………………………………….….....3           

SPRING SEMESTER, 12 HOURS
EDCI 7481 (Teaching Practicum II)……………………………….... 6
EDCI 7483 (Research in Teaching, Seminar II)……………………3
EDCI 7485 (Master’s Project II)…………………………………..…... 3

SUMMER 2 SEMESTER, 0-3 HOURS*
Graduate level concentration course if not completed for graduate credit in final semester of undergraduate program……………………… 3

*NOTE:

1. In certain cases, the graduate-level concentration course may be taken for graduate credit in the final semester prior to enrollment in graduate school. This is the recommended path for all students who qualify. Petitions for graduate credit to be earned prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree must be filed with the Graduate School no later than the last day for adding classes during the final semester of the undergraduate program.

2. If the graduate level concentration course is not taken for graduate credit in the final semester prior to enrolling in graduate school, students should complete this degree requirement in the second summer semester.

 

Contact for students who have questions or need more information:
Name: College of Education, Office of Student Services
Email: edinfo@lsu.edu
Phone: 225/578-2331