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MAT SPED Admission Requirements

Requirements for Graduate School and Program Admission (**IMPORTANT: Admission into the MAT SPED program will only occur twice a year, in the Spring and Summer Semesters**):

For Spring applicants, all documentation for both the Graduate School and the MAT program must be received no later than December 15th (if this date falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the next business day).

For Summer applicants, all documentation for both the Graduate School and the MAT program must be received no later than May 15th (if this date falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the next business day).

  1. Start the Graduate School application available here. A $45 application fee is required.
  2. Submit original, sealed transcripts to the UCA Graduate School from all previous schools attended. (Not necessary for UCA transcripts). The required minimum undergraduate GPA for admission is 2.7. (If you fall below the 2.7 GPA, we suggest taking post-baccalaureate courses to help bring your GPA to the 2.7 minimum. Post-bacc courses can be from any institution, but need to be 3000 or 4000 level courses. We recommend those be in the content area where you wish to teach. We will not review applications that do not meet the minimum GPA requirement).
  3. Once prompted by the Graduate School, you will submit a Statement of Purpose. The guidelines and a submission link will be sent to you by the Graduate School via email, but can also be found at this link: Statement of Purpose Guidelines.
  4. Upload all other required information (including proof of your MAT application AND proof of your cleared AELS background check (see below)–Directions for AELS Background/Child Maltreatment) into the Graduate School system. Once your Graduate School file is complete, it will be sent to the program coordinator for review. The background check is a state law and non-negotiable admission requirement.

 

PRAXIS REQUIREMENT FOR MAT Special Education Candidates: 

The Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires you to demonstrate content competency by passing the required Praxis assessments before you can move past your first two MAT Special Education courses (6 credits).

Here is a breakdown of how this affects your course enrollment:

  • First Term: You can enroll in two UCA MAT courses (for a total of 6 credits) without having passed the required Praxis assessments for a special education license (Praxis 5511 and 5355).
  • Second Term: To take two more MAT courses and earn up to 12 credits, you must pass Praxis 5511 before the start of your second term. You do not need to have passed Praxis 5355 yet.
  • Beyond 12 Credits: To enroll in any courses after earning your first 12 credits, you must have passed both Praxis 5511 and 5355.

For information about the Praxis exams required for each license, go here: UCA OCS