Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Degree overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is a teacher licensure program that leads to initial teacher certification in a designated content area and a master’s degree. It is designed for those already holding an undergraduate degree and interested in becoming a secondary school teacher. Content areas include: Math, Life Science, Physical Science, English, Social Studies, and World Languages.
 

Careers

The MAT program prepares graduates for teaching positions at the secondary school level (grades 6-12). Our faculty have expertise in a variety of educational disciplines and contexts, from social studies and STEM Education to rural and urban school settings.

 

Timeline and program delivery

The MAT can be completed full-time in as short as 15 months, May term through the end of the following Summer term. The program can also be completed full or part time on an individual schedule and started any semester. A full-time May to Summer program of study would include:

Initial summer term -

EHD 501 - Sociocultural Contexts of Education: History, Diversity, and Critical multiculturalism (offered online)

EHD 504 - Teaching and Assessing for Student Learning (offered online)

SED 500 - Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities (offered online)

EHD 511 - Classroom Based Prevention and Intervention (offered online)

Fall term -

EHD 657 - Educational Practicum (in-school setting)

Content methods - one of ESS 551, ESC 552, EMA 505, MLC 566, ERL 541

Spring term -

EHD 693 - Educational Internship (in-school setting)*

EDT 520 - Technology in Education (offered online)

Final summer term -

ERL 537 - Literacy Across the Curriculum (offered online)

As well as 6-credit hours of content specific coursework. Content coursework can be completed online or on-campus depending on campus offerings.

The MAT path of study will result in 24 credit hours of education requirements, 6 credit hours of content requirements, and 6 credit hours of student teaching.

* Passing score on Praxis Content Knowledge assessment required prior to student teaching.

 

To apply

Applications are processed through the University of Maine Graduate School. A bachelor’s degree, 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, and passing Praxis I score are required for admission to the MAT. For applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 applying, please attach a brief essay detailing your suitability for the program including explaining any extenuating circumstances or subsequent areas of growth. Applications are accepted on a rolling or ongoing basis. For more information, please contact Rebecca Buchanan at rebecca.buchanan@maine.edu

 

Accelerated 4+1 MAT

The 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is an accelerated teacher licensure program that leads to initial teacher certification in a designated content area and a master’s degree. The program offers students throughout the University of Maine system the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in the student’s focus area and a master’s degree at the University of Maine in five combined years of study. After earning their master’s students will be certified secondary school teachers (grades 6-12).

A primary advantage to pursuing this program is the accelerated nature of the MAT. Students may complete MAT coursework as part of the undergraduate career, reducing the cost of earning their master’s because they pay undergraduate tuition for those credits. A total of 9 credits toward the MAT may be completed during their senior year. Content areas include: math, life science, physical science, English, social studies and world languages. The UMaine College of Education and Human Development’s teacher preparation programs are nationally accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

 

Timeline and program delivery

During their senior year, students may enroll in up to 9 credits of graduate-level course credits at the 500-level or above. Coursework will count towards the MAT and can count towards their undergraduate degree. Students must earn a B grade or better to be counted toward the MAT degree. Over the course of earning the MAT degree, students are permitted a maximum of two 400-level courses in their field or content area. Advisors will work with students to design an optimal program.

 

Example Program of Study

Fall term (senior year)

Content Area Class 1 (3 credits)

 

Spring term (senior year)

EDT 520: Digital Age Teaching and Learning Methods (3 credits)

Content Area Class 2 (3 credits)

 

Summer term

EHD 501: Sociocultural Contexts of Education: History, Diversity, and Critical

multiculturalism (3 credits)

EHD 504: Teaching and Assessing for Student Learning (3 credits)

EHD 511: Prevention and Intervention in the Classroom, Promoting Positive Behavior

and Increasing Academic Engagement (3 credits)

 

Fall term

EHD 657: Educational Practicum (3 credits)

Discipline-based teaching methods course (3 credits)

SED 500: Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)

 

Spring term

EHD 693: Educational Internship (6)

ERL 537: Literacy Across the Curriculum (3)