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BVU Academic Catalog 2024-2025
Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education (MAT)
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The Master of Arts in Teaching program is intended for those candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree, and are seeking a pre-service teaching program, leading to initial licensure in Special Education- Instructional Strategist II at the Graduate level. This program leads to a license to teach Instructional Strategist II- BD/LD K-12 or ID K-12, requires a minimum of 44 credit hours. A candidate may choose a license to teach in both areas, which will require additional credits. In keeping with licensure requirements, the degree includes all licensure required content courses, field experiences and student teaching.
General Program Information
- Teacher education students returning to Buena Vista University after an absence of two or more years must follow the program/catalog that is in effect at the time of their return.
- Canvas and Via will be used to complete key assignments for education courses.
- Students within the Teacher Education Program will be required to complete background checks at two points during their program. Background checks will be completed through BVU’s Human Resources department. Prior to beginning the student’s first field experience, students must complete a background check at the student’s expense. A second background check must be completed prior to student teaching and is free of charge to the student.
- Upon registration for their first field experience, students will incur a SOE Portfolio Assessment Fee. This fee covers the first field experience background check, student account within the Via assessment program, and for Educator Disposition Assessments throughout the program.
- Teacher Education Program requires students seeking licensure pass all required education, content courses, and student teaching with a C- or better. This includes courses required for initial licensure within the Master of Arts in Teaching. Pass/Fail grade option is not allowed for the previously listed courses.
- Students who request student teaching placements beyond a 60-mile radius from a BVU location will incur an out of area student teaching fee.
- Recommendation for Iowa licensure upon program completion will be subject to requirements in effect at the time of recommendation. Any changes to the Teacher Education Program that Buena Vista University has on file with the Iowa Department of Education or to the licensure requirements from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must be met. Failure to meet program completion requirements in a timely manner may, at minimum, require additional courses and/or field experiences.
The Teacher Education Program
The four checkpoints below outline the progressive requirements of the Teacher Education Program and serve as a guideline for students as they move toward licensure in Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education major or Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching (specific disciplinary area). At each checkpoint the candidate’s file is reviewed by the local Teacher Education Committee (TEC) to ensure that the requirements have been met and to approve the student’s progress through the checkpoint. As will be noted in the description of each program, all course work requires that the student has passed a specific TEP checkpoint before enrolling in the course.
Based on submitted information, at each checkpoint the local teacher education committee will:
- Fully approve the candidate to pass through the checkpoint; or,
- Deny the candidate. Reasons/rationale for denial will be shared in writing with the candidate. Each candidate will have an opportunity to address deficiencies in a timely manner. Candidates will be informed of their right to appeal the decision.
Checkpoint I: Progress Through Educational Foundations and Acceptance to the Teacher Education Program
- Teacher Education Program Application
- The following courses completed with a minimum grade of “C-”
- All: Completion of Background Check: Students must complete a background check prior to beginning their first field experience. The background check will be conducted by BVU’s Human Resource department and is at the student’s expense.
- All education and content courses taken to this point passed with a minimum grade of “C-“.
- Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- Successful completion of Educator Disposition Assessment
- Successful completion of the SOE Orientation.
- Two professional progress reports recommending the candidate for admission
- Professional conduct policy, confidentiality, universal precautions, and mandatory reporter statements signed
- Agreement to meet the technology specification as described in the Teacher Education Program application
Checkpoint II: Completion of Educational Foundations and Continuing with Theory into Practice
- Checkpoint II Application
- The following courses completed with a minimum grade of “C- ”
- All education and content courses taken to this point passed with a minimum grade of “C-“.
- Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- If, since Checkpoint I, the student has been on a growth plan related to the Teacher Education Program Professional Conduct Policy, the student must have successfully achieved the goals of the plan.
Checkpoint III: Developing Professional Identity and Acceptance to Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culminating experience in the teacher education program. It is designed as an opportunity to apply skills, theory, and knowledge gained during the teacher preparation program to a real-life educational setting.
- Checkpoint III Application
- All education and content courses taken to this point passed with a minimum grade of “C-“
- Students must complete a background check prior to beginning the student teaching experience. The background check will be conducted by BVU’s Human Resource department and is free of charge to the student.
- Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- If, since Checkpoint II, the student has been on a growth plan related to the Teacher Education Program Professional Conduct Policy, the student must have successfully achieved the goals of the plan.
- Resume, References, and Letter of Introduction for the cooperating school submitted to the Education Field Experience Office
Checkpoint IV: Licensure Requirements
Each semester/term the Licensure Officer or designated official meets with student teachers to discuss the licensure procedure. The state sets fees related to licensure. The student is responsible for payment of the fees.
Students are provided information and appropriate forms to apply for licensure. The basic requirements that must be in order to be recommended for licensure are as follows:
- Successful completion of Buena Vista University degree requirements
- Successful completion of the teacher education program that Buena Vista University has on file with the Iowa Department of Education
- Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- Minimum grade of a “C-” in each of the student teaching placements
- Fingerprinting/background check 10-12 weeks prior to completion of student teaching
- Recommendation for Iowa licensure upon program completion will be subject to requirements in effect at the time of recommendation. Any changes to the Teacher Education Program that Buena Vista University have on file with the Iowa Department of Education or to the licensure requirements from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must be met. Failure to meet program completion requirements in a timely manner may, at minimum, require additional courses and/or field experiences.
Teaching Licensure Requirements for Other States
The teacher education programs at Buena Vista University provide coursework meeting the Department of Education and Board of Educational Examiners requirements for Iowa certification. An individual desiring licensure in a state other than Iowa should contact the Department of Education in that state as soon as possible and request certification requirements. By learning early what courses are needed for other states’ certification, individuals can plan to meet those requirements by taking appropriate courses at Buena Vista University.
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The MAT in SPED Core Coursework - 25 credits
MAT students are required to complete all coursework with a minimum grade of “C-” or higher.
MAT in Special Education- Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders /Learning Disabilities (BD/LD) - 44 credit hours
The MAT requires completion of three components:
- The MAT SPED Core Coursework
- Completion of the MAT Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities Coursework
- Completion of Student Teaching in Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities
MAT in Special Education-Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities (BD/LD) - 19 credit hours.
MAT students are required to complete all coursework with a minimum grade of “C-” or higher.
MAT in Special Education- Instructional Strategist II Intellectual Disabilities (ID) - 44 credit hours
The MAT requires completion of three components:
- The MAT SPED Core Coursework
- Completion of the MAT Instructional Strategist II Intellectual Disabilities Coursework
- Completion of Student Teaching in Instructional Strategist II Intellectual Disabilities
MAT in Special Education-Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities (BD/LD) - 19 credit hours.
MAT students are required to complete all coursework with a minimum grade of “C-” or higher.
Course Delivery and Schedule:
Master of Arts in Teaching programs will be offered in the online format with classes that are fully asynchronous and courses that require a synchronous component piece on Zoom one night a week within the 8-week course.
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed application packet
- Completed undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. An official transcript denoting the degree awarded must be submitted as part of the application packet
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)*
- Submission of writing sample/autobiography (see application procedures below)
- Two letters of recommendation from specified sources (see application)
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended
- Access to minimum technology requirements
- Acceptance by the admissions committee into the program
*Applicants who cannot meet this requirement may be considered for probationary admission status and may enroll in up to nine credit hours of graduate study at BVU. These applicants will be reviewed at that time and, pending successful completion of these nine credit hours (at least a “B-” in each course), may be granted full status.
Application Procedures: Master of Education in Teaching (MAT) Application Process
The process for successful completion of the application packet is as follows:
- Complete the application form (available through the “Apply” link at www.bvu.edu/grad), including written responses (please limit responses to approximately 250-300 words each) to the following questions:
- Why are you applying to this program at this time?
- How do you plan to contribute to this program? What do you expect to take from it?
- How will you support your own success in this program? That is, what steps will you take to ensure your success in this academically rigorous endeavor?
Candidates are advised that these written responses ought to reflect both depth and breadth of understanding and/or interest in the program. These statements are considered by the admissions committee as a writing sample indicative of the candidate’s command of the English language, ability to engage in graduate level writing both mechanical and conceptual/analytical, and the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
- Obtain two letters with supportive endorsement or recommendation. Recommenders’ information will be submitted during completion of the online application and the recommender will receive the request electronically. The letters should come from
- Your current supervisor and either (if employed)
- A professional peer, or
- A person of your choice who has direct knowledge of your professional experience.
- Request official transcripts to be forwarded to the BVU Graduate Programs Office. If you are a graduate of Buena Vista University, we can access those documents for you.
Upon receiving ALL application materials, an admission packet is compiled by the BVU Graduate Programs Office. The completed admissions packed it submitted for admissions committee for review. The result of the decision is communicated to the applicant in writing. Students must confirm acceptance to BVU Online in response to the acceptance notification.
Admissions Timeline:
A new cycle for the M.A.T. program begins terms 1, 3, and 5 each year. Applicants are encouraged to apply in advance of the term start.
Admissions Decisions:
Students who apply for full admission status and who are deficient in one or more of the requirements for full admission may be granted provisional status. Deficiencies must be removed after 6 credit hours of graduate coursework taken at Buena Vista University to continue in the program. Students will be informed in writing of the decision if provisional status is granted.
Special Admissions Status:
Students may be allowed to take up to 9 graduate-level courses from BVU without seeking a master’s degree or graduate endorsement. Candidates must be granted special permission to enroll in courses under these circumstances by the director of the specific graduate program. Permission will only be granted if there is course space available, with full admission candidates given first priority for registration in these courses. After 9 credits, students will not be allowed to continue enrollment until full admission is sought and gained. At that time, courses previously taken may be transferred into full master’s degrees or endorsement programs, with permission of the current graduate program director.
Admissions Appeal:
Students may appeal a negative admission decision. A formal letter of appeal must be written to the Executive Director of Graduate Programs outlining the concerns regarding the admissions decision. The case is forwarded to the appeals panel comprised of the Provost, the Vice President for Enrollment Services, and the Dean of the School of the graduate program. The student may request an interview with the panel. After review of the evidence provided by the applicant, the panel makes a second ruling with regard to admission.
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