What Others are Saying About the Master of Arts in Teaching Program!
Amy Idzior, MAT
Autism Coordinator, Saginaw Township Community Schools
Early Childhood endorsement 2004
Master of Arts in Teaching with Learning Disabilities endorsement 2000
Bachelor of Arts with Emotional Impairment endorsement 1997
"As a special educator I would encourage teachers to consider getting their graduate degree in special education. SVSU offers a fantastic program and the local schools are in need of qualified applicants for special education positions. Even if a job in special education is not the right match, a graduate program with a focus in special education is still quite valuable. General education teachers can use the strategies to work with students who have special needs as they are taught in their least restrictive environment with inclusive settings. Many times students from SVSU would come to my special needs classroom and see the value of being a special education teacher. They would later let me know they went on to get a graduate degree in special education. It is a valuable degree for all teachers and is one of the outstanding programs that the College of Education at SVSU offers to its students. I am proud to say I received my Masters from SVSU."
Bethany Rayl, MAT
Principal, Turrill Elementary
Lapeer Community Schools
1999 Alumnus
"My experience as a graduate student at SVSU in the College of Education was a phenomenal one. I chose to return to SVSU as a graduate student after completing my undergraduate studies at SVSU and working full time as a teacher. My graduate courses were all relevant and I was able to immediately use all of the skills I learned in my own classroom. Rather than giving "busy work" my instructors allowed us to utilize real life situations and learn practical skills that made me a better teacher. The most important part of my graduate experience at SVSU, however, was the collegial interactions I had with the faculty. SVSU's faculty members were always available when I needed them and were always willing to spend time having substantive conversations about education. The faculty in the College of Education stretched me as a teacher and allowed me to grow in numerous ways."
Debra Lively, Ph.D.
Professor of Teacher Education
Coordinator of the Early Childhood Program
Saginaw Valley State University
"SVSU's Early Childhood Graduate Program offers students a wonderful opportunity to study in depth young children's (birth-8) development and home/school/family relationships. Earn a ZA (Early Childhood Endorsement) to add to a teaching certificate and/or obtain a master's degree in Early Childhood. A new area of study, Early Childhood Special Education, has been added to help students meet the needs of young children with special needs. Online, hybrid, face to face and weekend format courses offers students an opportunity for a variety of learning experiences. Faculty are always available to provide support to make student's experiences positive."