The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is a practical and flexible degree program culminating in a capstone experience that aligns with a student’s area of emphasis.

Curriculum

Beginning in the fall of 2023, the MAT program will consist of:

• 30 credits
• Culminating in capstone, with potential for individualized action research

Master of Arts in Teaching students will complete:

• 6 core courses with their cohort (18 credits total)
• 12 elective credits (may transfer in 10-graduate level credits; FasTrack licensure candidates may transfer in Ed-courses)

Core Course Sequence

Cohort begins every FALL term:

Fall Semester 1

• Course 1: (ED 6100: Ed Research I – 3 credits) – Introduction to academic research and writing, reading, and understanding different methods of researching, with preparation for completing action research at the end of the program. (Taught first 8 -weeks of term)
• Course 2: (ED 6102: Making Education Data Meaningful – 3 credits) – Understanding and using student assessment and quantitative and qualitative assessment data to inform instructional practices. (Taught second 8-weeks of the term)

Spring Semester 1

• Course 3: (ED 6113: Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Pedagogy – 3 credits) – a deep dive into inclusive, student-centered, and culturally responsive/sustaining pedagogy and instructional practices. (Taught first 8-weeks of term)
• Course 4: (ED 6120: Critical Issues in Education – 3 credits) – examine enduring critical issues in education, identify an area of interest, and explore that critical issue resulting in the completed literature review. (Taught second 8-weeks of the term)

Fall Semester 2

• Course 5: (ED 6750: Educational Research II – 3 credits) – complete project proposal approved by instructor and student’s capstone committee. Students conducting action research will collect data prior to enrolling in ED 6850. (Taught full 16-weeks of term.)

Spring Semester 2

• Course 6 (ED 6850: Capstone – 3 credits) – Complete the capstone project research and final project writing/presentation. (Taught full 16-weeks of term.)

Electives

• Usually completed during summer term and same term as course 5 and 6.
• May begin electives prior to beginning core courses sequence in the fall term.

Elective courses could include standards of effective practice (SEPs), which are courses leading to a secondary education teaching license. Current licensed teachers may choose another option to enhance their teaching career; i.e. Reading, Special Education Licensure, Math, etc.

Please note: the MAT by itself is not a licensure-granting degree, but students may complete additional coursework in one of our licensure-only programs (i.e. FasTrack or Special Education Licensure) to become professionally licensed. For complete options, contact the Program Coordinator.

For complete current program requirements, please go to the current catalog; and select Graduate Programs located on the right side.

Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Open enrollment; Fall semester and Summer Session applicants should submit their application and additional materials by April 1 for preferred consideration.

Application Requirements

• Graduate Application for Admission — Apply Here!
• Official transcripts of bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Overall undergraduate GPA: 3.00
• Two letters of recommendation from a previous employer/professor
• Copy of Teaching license requested (if unavailable please contact us)
• One-page letter of intent answering the following (limit each response to 50 words):
  • Why do you want to be in the graduate program?
  • Explain your background in education or your current degree field.
  • What do you plan to use this degree for?

International Students

• Please note that graduate students enrolled in an online program are not eligible for an I-20 to study within the United States.
• International students must also provide Proof of English Proficiency.

Tuition & Aid

We offer in-state/reciprocity tuition rates to all of our graduate students. Please visit the Financial Aid website for more information on options for funding your education.

Graduate Assistantships

Some students may qualify for a graduate assistantship, which includes a tuition waiver and stipend. GAs, in return, are expected to complete certain teaching and/or research assignments for the department.