Teaching, MAT

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is a combined graduate degree and initial teacher certification program intended for individuals who hold at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university. The MAT is a teacher certification program approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and is intended for secondary-level and middle-level future educators. The MAT program provides the opportunity for multiple content area certifications and includes extensive site-based clinical experiences in area schools building upon the candidates’ previous coursework and experiences.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants must meet minimum Graduate College requirements for admission.
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Admission to the MAT will include a departmental review, and a transcript analysis completed by the Professional Education Services office.

Degree Requirements Minimum Credit Hours: 36

All candidates must attempt the Missouri Content Assessment(s) (MoCA) before the end of their first semester of coursework.
All candidates must pass the MoCA(s) prior to their student teaching semester.
A “B” or better is required in all coursework.
Completion of Missouri Volunteer and Employee Criminal History Service (MOVECHS) waiver and FBI Fingerprinting Background Check prior to starting the second semester of MAT graduate courses. For more information, refer to Compliance Documents Required for Practicum, Internship or Student Teaching, found on the Professional Education Services website.

Note:

Candidates seeking secondary science (9-12) content certification may choose an alternative science research course in consultation with their academic advisor.

Advisement

Advisement will be facilitated by the MAT Academic Advisor in cooperation with the MAT Program Director. The Office of Professional Education Services will monitor the certification process. Content area requirements are determined by the Professional Education Services office as part of the transcript analysis process.

Research and Comprehensive Examination requirements

Candidates will enroll in SFR 781 - Applied Educational Research , which will provide instruction on how to utilize and implement educational research to enhance their classroom practice. This course will introduce candidates to action research and culminate in a research project presented to the Program Director during their student teaching semester. This project will satisfy their comprehensive examination requirement.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to requirements established by the Graduate College, MAT candidates are required to:

Complete all MAT-required coursework with a “B” grade or higher.
Meet GPA requirements established by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for educators.
Complete all research and comprehensive examination requirements (both satisfied through successful completion of SFR 781)..

Certification Requirements

To be recommended for teacher certification, MAT candidates are required to:

Meet all Missouri teacher certification requirements, which are in effect at the time of certification.
Complete all Professional Education and content courses with a combined (Missouri State and transfer) GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA).
Pass the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) during student teaching.