For the MAT in Special Education, see the Special Education page.
[1] Objectives
The College of Education offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program created especially for individuals without teaching credentials who have earned baccalaureate degrees in specific content areas and want to become teachers in an expeditious fashion. The MAT is a 39-hour graduate degree program with three tracks: Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Tailored to accommodate most working students’ schedules, this program involves a 33-hour core plus 6 hours of required courses within the selected track that can be completed in five semesters, including fall, spring, and summer sessions. Graduate School policy requires that students complete their program of study within six years.
[2] Admission, Retention, and Exit Requirements
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program evaluates candidates in the MAT program at the following points in their programs of study: (1) admission, (2) application for internship, and (3) graduation. Candidates are reviewed for their academic and dispositional performance in the program. Academic requirements include grade point average and reporting of successful test scores (GRE, Praxis). Dispositional performance is evaluated using the disposition rubric designed by MAT faculty and implemented program-wide.
Candidates not meeting the required academic performance criteria (including minimum GPA and test scores) and/or not demonstrating appropriate dispositions will be counseled by a faculty committee to be comprised of the program coordinator, the candidate’s advisor, and faculty who have interacted with the candidate in class settings. Decisions regarding professional and ethical conduct will be guided by the professional and ethical conduct policy adopted by the professional education unit licensure programs and College of Education degree and licensure programs. These candidates may be required to complete professional growth plans. Failure to meet the guidelines of the professional growth plan may be cause for dismissal from the MAT program.
[2.1] Continuous Enrollment Requirement
College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer I or II, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student is expected to notify his/her home department. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, he/she may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department.
[3] Guidelines for MAT
In addition to the general application and GPA requirements of the UCA Graduate School, applicants must complete a separate MAT application and supply evidence of the following requirements. Specific instructions can be found on the MAT application.
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 in all coursework, whether undergraduate or graduate. (Official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate coursework must be submitted from all institutions attended.)
- Complete UCA’s graduate school application, pay the application fee, and qualify for graduate admission.
- Complete the MAT application.
- Earn passing minimum Praxis Core scores or established cut scores on the GRE.
- Earn minimum state scores on the Praxis II content area examination (prior to applying for internship or the provisional license, whichever comes earlier in the student’s program of study).
- Submit two professional references.
- Undergo a satisfactory Criminal Background Check (if teaching while completing initial licensure).
- Complete the ADE Non-Traditional Licensure application (if teaching while completing initial licensure).
[4] Programs of Study
[4.1] MAT Core Courses (33 credit hours)
MAT 5320 Theory and Practice of Classroom Management
MAT 6310 Pedagogy for Diverse Student Populations
ASTL 6380 Research Methods
MAT 6311 Classroom Assessment
MAT 6312 Principles of Child and Adolescent Development and Learning
MAT 6314 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties
MAT 6320 Literacy Seminar for Teachers
MAT 5390 Practicum MAT
MAT 6699 Internship MAT
All candidates regardless of licensure level will complete the core courses. Candidates will then select Elementary (K–6) Track, the Middle-Level (4–8) Track, or the Secondary-Level (K–12, 4–12, or 7–12) Track and complete requirements for the selected track as indicated below.
[4.2] Elementary Level (2 courses – 6 hours)
This track is available for admission/enrollment in Summer 2017.
MAT 6338 Advanced Strategies in Elementary Education
[4.3] Middle Level (2 courses – 6 credit hours)
MAT 6302 Models of Teaching
[4.4] Secondary Level K–12, 4–12, or 7–12 (2 courses – 6 credit hours)
MAT Content Methods Course from academic department as approved by advisor or
MAT 5303 The Middle School Psychology, Philosophy, and Organization
[5] Graduate Course Links (MAT, ASTL)
Follow this link for MAT course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ASTL course descriptions: course link.