Master of Arts in Teaching draft

Program Overview

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.

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 hours 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 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-hour graduate degree program with three tracks: Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Tailored to accommodate most working students’ schedules, this online program involves a 27-hour core plus 9 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.

Program Outline

Programs of Study

• MAT Core Courses (27 credit hours)
• MAT 5310 Analysis and Practice of Teaching
• MAT 5320 Theory and Practice of Classroom Management
• MAT 5332 Contemporary Practices of Teaching
• MAT 6310 Pedagogy for Diverse Student Populations
• MAT 6311 Classroom Assessment
• MAT 6312 Principles of Child and Adolescent Development and Learning
• MAT 6320 Literacy Seminar for Teachers
• 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.

Elementary Level (3 courses – 9 hours)

• MAT 6374 Integrated Curriculum in Elementary Education
• MAT 6338 Advanced Strategies in Elementary Education
• MAT 6314 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties

Middle Level (3 courses – 9 credit hours)

• MAT 5303 The Middle School Psychology, Philosophy, and Organization
• MAT 6302 Models of Teaching
• MAT 6314 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties or
• MAT 6342 Advanced Strategies in the Secondary Classroom or
• MAT 6388 STEM Methods for the Secondary Classroom

Secondary Level K–12, 4–12, or 7–12 (3 courses – 9 credit hours)

• MAT 6302 Models of Teaching
• MAT 6314 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties or
• MAT 6342 Advanced Strategies in the Secondary Classroom
• MAT Content Methods Course from academic department as approved by advisor or
• MAT 6388 STEM Methods for the Secondary Classroom or
• MAT 5303 The Middle School Psychology, Philosophy, and Organization

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.