The Master of Arts in Secondary Education with Initial Certification (MIC) at the University of Kentucky is an intensive one calendar-year program of 34 credit hours which leads to both a master's degree and initial teacher certification in Kentucky. The MIC may be pursued in one of six subject areas: Business/Marketing, English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Education.

How is the MIC Program structured?

The Master of Arts in Education MIC Program consists of 34 graduate hours:

The Common Core courses (12 credit hours):

• EDC 777 (MIC Seminar) and EDC 730 (MIC Program), 6 hours, Fall Semester
• EDC 777, Teaching Across Curriculum in Secondary Schools, 3 hours, Spring Semester
• EDP 658, Problems in Educational Psychology, 1 hour, Fall Semester
• EDS 558, Issues in Special Education, 1 hour, Fall Semester
• EPE 773, Seminar in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, 1 hour, Fall Semester
• EDL 770. Topical Seminar in Educational Leadership. Teacher Leadership for the MIC Program, 1 hour, Spring Semester

The Subject Area courses (12 credit hours):

• EDC 63x, Special Methods in..., 3 hours, Fall Semester
• EDC 746, Subject Area Instruction in the Secondary School (Student Teaching), 9 hours, Spring Semester.

Elective Courses (9 hours):

• EDC xxx, (Elective graduate course in education), 3 hours
• Graduate Subject Matter Course, 3 hours
• Graduate Subject Matter Course, 3 hours
  

The Faculty:

What is the philosophical foundation of the MIC-Program?

The College of Education at the University of Kentucky has adopted the model of "Professional Educator as Reflective Decision Maker" as the conceptual framework for its professional education programs. The characteristics of reflective decision making are derived from concepts of reflective practice as espoused by historical and contemporary leaders in education. Reflective thinking is based on the individual's open-mindedness, the ability to actively challenge personal beliefs by continually seeking new information, which goes hand-in-hand with wholeheartedness and intellectual responsibility. Wholeheartedness is an absorbing enthusiasm for and dedication to one's work. Intellectual responsibility includes caring enough about the consequences of one's professional duties and actions to seek necessary information on which to base intelligent decisions.

Reflective decision-making in professional education programs at the University of Kentucky reflects the latest research and understanding of the following topics and themes: standards based teaching; teacher as a reflective practitioner; and knowledge of and attention to Kentucky's New Teacher Standards, Experienced Teacher Standards, and Administrator Standards; contemplation of possible long-term consequences of professional actions; evaluation of the appropriateness of these actions and the effects of these actions on student performance; and maintenance of an informed perspective concerning all aspects of teaching and instruction.

The MIC program includes a specially designed, full-time professional year in which students spend four mornings a week in high schools in the fall, and fulltime in the spring, working collaboratively with UK and public school faculty to integrate theory and practice and prepare for work as professional teachers in KERA schools. The MIC program makes use of a cross-college team of faculty to plan integrated experiences for students and to encourage students to work cooperatively across disciplines. Students are members of two cohorts, a Common Core Cohort and a Subject Area Cohort.

What is the Common Core?

• adolescent psychology
• classroom management
• educational reform
• foundations
• general pedagogy
• legal/administrative perspectives
• multicultural education
• field experience
• students with special needs
• technology

How time-consuming is the program?

In the fall, students work in interdisciplinary cohorts in high schools during the morning. In the afternoon they divide their time between the Common Core course and their Subject Area Methods course. This melding of the Common Core with a parallel emphasis on subject area pedagogy, along with a regular opportunity to observe and apply what is being studied, ensures that all MIC students have an opportunity to learn to apply theory in practical situations. In the spring, the emphasis shifts to the application of subject matter-specific skills. An inter-disciplinary approach is maintained as students work together in schools as student teachers and come together for a Monday night seminar in which students are provided an opportunity to examine Common Core themes in the context of their field experiences. The program is very intensive; other employment is not recommended.

What are the prerequisites for admittance to the program?

• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in an approved major in a subject area covered by the MIC, and an overerall GPA of 2.5.
• Admission to the UK Graduate School which requires a minimum of 2.75 undergraduate GPA, 3.0 GPA in any graduate work, and standardized test scores.
• Demonstration of adequate skills in written and oral communication.
• Demonstration of complex skills, understandings, and dispositions through the medium of faculty interviews, admission portfolio materials, and written or oral tasks at the time of the admission interview.
• Composite score of 800 on Verbal and Quantitative sections and a minimum score of 4 on the Analytical Writing Section.

What does my application include?

Downloadable application packets

• File a complete application with the UK Graduate School and keep a copy, which you will attach to the MIC application package.
• Meet with appropriate subject area academic advisor to review undergraduate subject matter preparation.
• File a complete application packet with the College of Education Student Services and Certification Office.
• Complete a formal interview with the appropriate program faculty committee, including the completion of required written and oral communication tasks.
• Complete an assessment of skills and abilities in technology.
• Note: Descriptions of specific entrance standards and requirements for each subject area can be found in the undergraduate bulletin.

Now that you have learned about the MIC, turn to the subject matter of interest:

Business/Marketing Education grades 5-12
English Education grades 8-12
Foreign Language Education grades P-12
Mathematics Education grades 8-12
Science Education grades 8-12
Social Studies grades 8-12

For additional information contact:

Dr. Mary Shake
Director of Graduate Studies
Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction
345 Dickey Hall
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0017
e-mail: mcshak1@uky.edu
telephone: 859-257-5676

For information on admission requirements to the Graduate School and the College of Education, refer to the University of Kentucky Graduate Bulletin.

Erica Schultz (right), former MIC student

"In the MIC Program I learned to plan instruction for students with special needs by working with my cooperating teacher and support staff. My experiences with the professional staff at East Jessamine High School were very positive."

Erica Schultz