Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed for individuals who wish to receive Texas teacher certification while pursuing a graduate degree. The MAT will allow candidates in WT’s alternative certification programs to complete initial certification requirements, expand their knowledge and skills to support their effectiveness as teachers, and meet state certificate renewal requirements in their respective fields. Options are available in elementary, secondary, all-level and special education.

Master of Arts in Teaching

(Major Code: 5451)

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning.
Admission into one of WT’s alternative teacher certification programs, www.wtamu.edu/altcert.
Submission of graduate school application/fee, www.wtamu.edu/admissions/apply_graduate.aspx.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of alternative certification program requirements (graduate and/or undergraduate course work, testing, training, field experience, internship or student teaching, etc.);
Completion of course work as outlined on the official MAT Plan of Study;
Initial Standard Texas Educator Certification prior to administration of the comprehensive exam; and
Passing a written comprehensive exam.

MAT Course Work (36 hours or 42 hours with the graduate clinical teaching option)

A total of 36 semester credit hours (SCH)—at least 24 hours at the 6000-level is required. An additional 6 SCH will be required if the candidate chooses the graduate clinical teaching option.

12-24 SCH from the Professional Development/Certification Core

(initial certification course work as required by certification program, plus graduate clinical teaching courses,

EDPD 6398

and

EDPD 6399

, for candidates choosing this option)

9 SCH from the Graduate Core in Education:

EDPD 6303 - Education Research 3

Three hours from:

9-15 SCH in the applicant’s teaching field as approved by the graduate adviser in the Department of Education

(undergraduate leveling course work may be required at the discretion of the adviser)

GPA Requirement

The candidate must maintain a 3.0 GPA (with no grade below a “C”) on all MAT course work, and the program must be completed within six (6) years of taking the first graduate course that applies to the MAT degree.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Alternative Certification, (806) 651-2599.