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Master of Arts in Teaching

 

[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 36–39 hour graduate degree program with two tracks: Middle and Secondary. Tailored to accommodate most working students’ schedules, this program involves a 30-hour core plus 6–9 hours of required courses within the selected track that can be completed in five semesters including fall, spring, and summer sessions.

[2] Admission, Retention, and Exit Requirements

Effective June 1, 2012, 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) petition for candidacy, (3) application for internship, and (4) 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 director, 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 items. Specific instructions can be found on the MAT application.

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70 overall or a 2.50 overall with a 3.0 on the last 60 hours. (official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate coursework must be submitted from all institutions attended).
  • Completion of UCA’s graduate school application, fee, and qualify for graduate admission.
  • Completion of the MAT application.
  • Passing minimum Praxis I scores or established cut scores on the GRE. Candidates must meet minimum requirements on all parts of one of these assessments for admission with full qualifications. Without passing scores, students are not eligible for financial aid.
  • 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).
  • Two professional references.
  • Petition of Candidacy (after 9 hours).
  • A satisfactory Criminal Background Check (if teaching while completing initial licensure).
  • ADE Non-Traditional Licensure application (if teaching while completing initial licensure).

Programs in the PEU that lead to licensure/certification relating to P–12 schools require a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exam(s) and satisfactory completion of all key assessments identified by the program area. Candidates cannot complete their program unless both of these criteria have been met. Individual programs may have additional exit requirements.

[4] Programs of Study

[4.1] MAT Core Courses (30 credit hours)

MAT 5310 Analysis and Practice of Teaching
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 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 the Middle Level (4–8) Track or the Secondary (P–12 or 7–12) Track and complete requirements for that track as indicated below.

The P–4 track has been closed by mandate of the Arkansas Department of Education, effective January 2014.

[4.2] Middle Level 4–8 (3 courses – 9 credit hours)

MAT 5303 Middle School Psychology, Philosophy, & Organization
MAT 6302 Models of Teaching
MAT 6314 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties

Note: The following additional coursework is required for State of Arkansas Middle Childhood (4–8) licensure:

HIST 3310 Social Science Concepts in Arkansas History OR
HIST 5355 Arkansas History (Middle Level Licensure)

[4.3] Secondary Level P–12 or 7–12 (2 courses – 6 credit hours)

MAT 6302 Models of Teaching
MAT Content Methods Course from academic department as approved by advisor

Note 1: All Secondary Level P-12 or 7-12 candidates must meet the 30 content hour rule for previous coursework in their area of licensure.

Note 2: The following additional coursework is required for State of Arkansas secondary social studies licensure only:

HIST 3310 Social Science Concepts in Arkansas History OR
HIST 5355 Arkansas History (Middle Level Licensure)

[5] Graduate Course Links

[5.1] Courses in Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Follow this link for MAT course descriptions: course link.

[5.2] Courses in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL)

Follow this link for ASTL course descriptions: course link.