Master of Arts in Teaching

Established by the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas, the MAT program prepares mid-career professionals and recent graduates of higher education without teaching credentials to become classroom teachers in an expeditious fashion.

While we welcome any out of state candidates, completion of any program, other than an initial licensure program, may not lead to licensure or endorsement in Arkansas or in the state in which you reside. It is your responsibility to check with your state’s department of education to determine if the license or endorsement requirements are met through the program of study. If you are a potential out of state candidate, please contact the program coordinator directly.

The Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP) offers tuition reimbursement grants to Arkansas teachers and administrators. Teachers and administrators may apply for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses paid for up to six (6) college credit hours completed for each academic year, not to exceed $3000.

Highlights of the MAT program include:

• A flexible and rigorous ONLINE program aimed at providing all students an equal opportunity for a high-quality education.
• Three general tracks to choose from: K-6, Middle Level, and Secondary(K-12, 4-12, and 7-12). All tracks are 36-hour graduate degree programs, are delivered fully online, and can be completed in less than two years.
• MAT Special Education track, 36 hour program of study, completed in less than two years
• Provisional license eligibility for MAT candidates in good standing and who have met the state requirements, allowing them to work as the teacher of record during their time in the program.
• Competitive, flat-rate tuition of $336/credit hour (includes tuition and fees), regardless of residency or location.

The MAT program at the University of Central Arkansas is proud to be an approved pathway to proficiency in the Science of Reading (Path Q), as well as an approved awareness pathway for all Middle Level and Secondary track candidates.

Act 1063 of 2017, the Right to Read Act states: “By the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year: A) All teachers employed in a teaching position that requires an elementary education (K-6) license or special education (K-12) license shall demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction; and B) All other teachers shall demonstrate awareness in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction.” All Elementary candidates will be expected to pass the Foundations of Reading exam before the end of their program or prior to their standard license being issued. 

To see Frequently Asked Questions, click here! This program is Fully Online!

Our offices are open M-F 8am-4:30pm. We are located in Mashburn Hall (click here for campus maps and directions) in the Teaching and Learning suite.

PLEASE NOTE: While we welcome drop-in visitors, we cannot always guarantee a faculty member will be available to answer your questions on short notice.

If you would like more information on the program, or if you would like to make an appointment, please email the program coordinator (information below).

National Award Winning Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program received the Association of Teacher Educator’s 2010 Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award at the annual national convention in Chicago.