Teaching, Secondary Education (Master of Arts in Teaching, M.A.T.)
Dr. Kipton Smilie, Program Director
ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-5952
missouriwestern.edu/education/mat
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)—Secondary is designed for the college graduate who did not pursue an education degree as an undergraduate, but now would like to enter the teaching profession. An individual who earned a content area degree in a subject area offered at secondary schools at the undergraduate level is eligible for enrollment in this program. The MAT degree program will provide such individuals with the training and field experience necessary to earn initial State of Missouri teacher certification in grades 9-12 or K-12, depending on the subject area.
Missouri Western offers the MAT in 13 different secondary curriculum areas. Certification for grades 9 – 12 is available in eight areas: biology, business, chemistry, English, health, mathematics, social studies, and speech & theatre. Certification may be earned for grades K – 12 in five areas: art, music-instrumental, music-vocal, physical education, and Spanish. Students who are pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in the areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, or Spanish might qualify for TEACH grant assistance.
All students who successfully complete the MAT program and meet the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education minimum requirements will earn an initial teaching license in the State of Missouri. This is one of the quickest ways available for content area college graduates to attain certification. Simultaneously with the initial teaching license, individuals who successfully complete the Master of Arts in Teaching program will earn a master’s degree.
All coursework for the MAT program is offered fully on-line to maximize flexibility for working adults. In addition to the online format, the program includes numerous opportunities for real time interactions with peers, colleagues, and professors. The program also includes a strong fieldwork component, through which students gain hands-on experience teaching and interacting with learners who are in diverse, inclusive, secondary or select K-12 classrooms.
Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching requires meeting all qualifications for acceptance to the Missouri Western Graduate School.
- Submission of application for admission to the MWSU Graduate School.
- Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (from undergraduate work)
- Pass Missouri Content Assessment (prior to July 1, 2024) or the Praxis Subject Test (after July 1, 2024) in the content area of certification (within first two semesters of study).
-
Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework
- Statement of purpose: A one-page narrative, which describes his/her purpose for seeking admission to a graduate program, as well as what he/she hopes to gain from the experience.
- No GRE is required.
Students who are accepted to this degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Content Courses 1 | ||
| EDU 511 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| EDU 515 | Fundamentals and Strategies for Teaching Learners with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDU 521 | Teaching Students with Reading Deficits | 3 |
| EDU 561 | Induction to the Teaching Profession | 5 |
| EDU 565 | Instructional Methods for Secondary Learners | 3 |
| EDU 604 | Seminar for Student Teaching Professionals | 1 |
| EDU 667 | Teaching Critical Thinking through Technology, Collaboration and Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 676 | Behavioral Management & Interventions | 3 |
| TSL 664 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| Field and Clinical Experiences | ||
| EDU 562 | Participation in Teaching - Secondary Education | 1 |
| EDU 603 | Internship in Teaching Secondary Education | 2 |
| EDU 607 | Professional Student Teaching Secondary Education (Required to hold a Missouri Provisional Certification and have successfully completed 2 years of teaching in the content area) | 3-8 |
| or EDU 608 | Student Teaching Secondary Education | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33-38 | |
| 1 | In addition to the courses listed below, students will be required to take an Orientation Workshop (EDU 500). |
Program Graduation Requirements
1. Pass Missouri Content Assessment (prior to July 1, 2024) or the Praxis Subject Test (after July 1, 2024) in the content area of certification (within first two semesters of study).
2. Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework
University Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactorily complete all required coursework in the program;
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours;
- Satisfactorily complete the required capstone experience.