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Elementary Education: Master of Arts (MA)

About

Appalachian’s Master of Arts in Elementary Education leads to “M”-level licensure in grades K-6 and has been approved by the appropriate bodies at the state level to meet the advanced competencies as mandated in the NC Excellent Schools Act for master’s-level teacher education programs. This degree program is open to qualified students who hold a valid NC “A”-level teaching license or its equivalent from another state (the teaching license does not have to be in elementary education).

The program covers the theoretical and philosophical bases for educational practices as they relate to the elementary school curriculum. Students concentrate in one or more of the instructional areas in these grades and explore how subjects interrelate. Students learn to better understand the elementary school-age learner, utilize research techniques in designing and implementing curricula and activities, identify major issues and trends impacting elementary education, and make critical decisions.

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Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

Alumni Profile: App State leads nation in board certified teachers

For the fifth consecutive year, App State tops the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ list of “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs” in 2021.

Courses

Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog
- Elementary Education, MA

Application Essentials

Required Entrance Exam: GRE or MAT (score must be no more than 5 years old)

Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3

Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission); proof of teacher licensure

Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.

Required license: Must hold a valid North Carolina “A” level teaching license or equivalent from another state.

Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).

Admission to Elementary Education: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.

Employers

School systems across North Carolina and beyond

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Degrees

Application Deadlines

The program is not accepting applications at this time.

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Why Appalachian?

Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP).
You can obtain initial and advanced licensure in your field of study.
Appalachian offers varied delivery modes to meet the needs of students.
The Elementary Education program is offered on and off campus.
Class sizes are small and taught by faculty with K-12 experience.
An advanced degree may provide pathways to educational opportunities and new positions.
All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.

Location

On and off campus

Careers

Master’s-level Elementary Teacher

Contacts

Dr. Chrystal Dean
Program Director
deanco@appstate.edu
828-262-8009

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Reich College of Education

Department of Curriculum and Instruction
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers a broad range of comprehensive degree programs at the baccalaureate and master’s level. The department seeks to provide quality programs that emphasize an integration of academics and field experiences.

Reich College of Education
Approximately 2,400 students
- The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. It houses five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Family and Child Studies, Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Reading Education and Special Education.
Teacher preparation
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. There is at least one RCOE graduate working in every county in North Carolina.
- The Reich College of Education is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the State Board of Education.
Close ties to public schools
- The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership – which includes 125 schools in nine surrounding districts – provides sites for student teachers and interns as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.
- The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, serves over 300 K-5 students. The Academy provides a balanced education through the implementation of research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction, and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.
Graduate programs
- The School of Graduate Studies’ Accelerated Admission program, in which select undergraduate students can fulfill both undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year toward the completion of a graduate degree program, is offered in: higher education, reading education and special education.
- Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.