Degrees for Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program has a dual emphasis: teacher certification in pre-K-12 education and a master’s degree that enhances the ability to apply theory to practice. This program is specifically designed for post-baccalaureate students, who frequently bring previous experience from another career field. It allows these students to enter a new career while advancing professionally and academically.

The MAT offers teacher certification and a master’s degree in a program specifically designed to meet the needs of the returning adult student. The program combines classroom instruction with field experience in pre-K-12 schools. Completion of a student teaching placement qualifies students to apply for a teaching license in their chosen area.

The Master of Science in Educational Leadership (MEL) program is designed for educators who want to expand their leadership knowledge and skills to serve in formal or informal leadership roles in schools. The master’s degree leads to Wisconsin certification as principal and director of instruction. Those not interested in formal administrative positions but interested in expanding their leadership in the school such as site council member, grade level coordinator or department chair will benefit equally from the program.

Each course is taught in a six- to nine-week course format. The course content emphasizes case study and action research projects aligned to the students’ school organization and the reality of the 21st century leadership challenges. The program has an experienced faculty with state and national reputations for excellence.

The Master of Arts in Visual Studies is created for working adults who desire professional involvement in the arts as artists, art teachers, arts administrators and in gallery and museum work. This 34-credit program provides exploration and analysis of a wide range of traditional and non-traditional ideas, materials, and designs.

If you are an art educator, artist, or are otherwise involved in the art world our goal is to further your development in technical competencies and visual insights.

The Early Childhood Education bachelor’s completion program is an innovative program created to support the development of highly trained early childcare providers. This 33-month program is designed for students who have completed an associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field and seek to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and teacher certification in early childhood (birth – 8).

A goal of the program is to train early childhood educators with specialized training in the areas of literacy and language development. Children need teachers who can provide experiences in language and literacy that will result in higher levels of student achievement and success. Stritch’s program will provide you with the knowledge and skills to be such a teacher.

The Teacher Education Program at Cardinal Stritch University is based on sound participation in the liberal arts combined with professional preparation and clinical experiences.

The aims of the program are to help teacher candidates to grow in self-awareness, have a positive concept of themselves as teachers, come to terms with themselves in respect to their motives for becoming teachers, develop understanding of other persons, and develop skills consistent with their personal integrity and the demands of the education profession.

The education of teachers is a joint venture of the University and the public and private schools that provide the vital laboratory settings for preparation. The program at Stritch provides early and continuing experiences in public, private and professional development schools.