Master Teacher Fellows Program
The Master Teacher Fellows (MTF) Program is an initial licensure graduate program that involves coursework and fieldwork, including one semester of full-time student teaching. It is offered at the secondary (grades 9-12) and elementary (grades K-6) levels. For secondary education, students must have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent coursework) in one of the relevant content areas.
The MTF Program was created to provide graduate study in education as well as the coursework necessary to obtain an initial North Carolina teaching license. It is designed to attract talented individuals with strong preparation in a core discipline and whose undergraduate studies did not include teacher licensure. This program, which includes one semester of full-time student teaching, provides participants with a rigorous academic curriculum to support subject-area teaching. It includes extensive knowledge of instructional design to support student learning, rich clinical experiences in diverse public schools, and an engaging teacher research component supported by nationally recognized faculty experts in each content area.
- Ensure awareness of the range of materials and methods appropriate for the specialty concentration.
- Engage in an exploration of learning theories and philosophies of instruction.
- Understand the basic questions confronting the discipline through a review of educational research.
- Create and answer a research question centered on classroom instruction.
- Master the skills of educational research and statistical analysis to create and understand research in the field.
- Academics – Environment of academic rigor and high achievement
- Faculty – Nationally-recognized faculty experts in each content area
- Research – Focus on planning, conducting, and reporting an original study on teaching
- Clinical Experiences – Observations, service learning, and internships with master teachers in local public schools
- Technology – Integration of technology into instructional design and assessment
- Colleagues – Cohorts of energetic future teachers
- Financial Aid – Opportunities for generous financial support
Application, admission, and financial aid information can be found on the graduate program application and admissions page.
The Master Teacher Fellows Program is proud to meet rigorous state and national standards for educator preparation. We are fully accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Graduate Secondary Education
The Secondary Education MTF program allows students to pursue graduate study relevant to one of four core disciplines: English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Comprehensive Science), or Social Studies. The program requires 42 credit hours and thirteen months of coursework.
Potential applicants must have at least 24 credit hours in content areas courses prior to admission to be considered highly qualified. These credit hours should include courses in each of the following areas:
- Pre-1800 Literature
- American Literature
- Multicultural and/or World Literature
- Shakespeare
- Writing
- Linguistics, Grammar, and/or Rhetoric
- Poetry, Theatre, and/or Film
For more information, please contact Dr. Joan Mitchell,
English Education Program Coordinator.
Potential applicants must have at least 24 credit hours in content area courses prior to admission to be considered highly qualified. These or equivalent courses are required:
- Calculus I, II, and III
- Linear Algebra
- Modern Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
For more information, please contact Dr. Leah McCoy,
Mathematics Education Program Coordinator.
Potential applicants must have at least 24 credit hours in content area courses prior to admission to be considered highly qualified. Courses must be from the same content areas required for majors in those fields.
For more information, please contact Dr. Debbie French,
Science Education Program Coordinator.
Potential applicants must have at least 24 credit hours in content areas courses prior to admission to be considered highly qualified. These credit hours should include courses in each of the following areas:
- US History
- European/Western History
- Non-Western History
- Political Science
- Economics
- Geography
- Anthropology or Sociology
For more information, please contact Dr. Adam Friedman,
Social Studies Education Program Coordinator.
Curriculum Resources
Graduate Elementary Education
The Elementary Education initial licensure MTF program involves coursework and fieldwork, including one semester of full-time student teaching. The program requires 48 credit hours and 1.5 years of coursework.
Potential applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
For more information, please contact Dr. Leni Caldwell,
Elementary Education Program Director.