Online Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Become a certified teacher while learning valuable knowledge that will contribute to classroom success!
About this Program
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) online program is a 30 hour alternate-route teacher certification program. Program participants are eligible to obtain a 3-year provisional Mississippi Educator License (which certifies them to teach grades 7-12 in Mississippi) after completing the first three courses.
Program participants typically receive their Mississippi Educator License to teach in one or more of the following areas:
- Math
- English
- Science, and/or
- Social Studies
In addition, program participants can seek certification in other subjects (based on Mississippi Department of Education policies).
- Coursework focuses on providing the pedagogical knowledge and skills needed for secondary instruction to those with sufficient content knowledge.
Benefits of the MAT Program
Graduates of the MAT program enjoy a long list of benefits.
Here are just a few:
- The program is offered completely online.
- Completing the first three courses can lead to a Mississippi Educator License through the Mississippi Department of Education (this initial license is a 3-year provisional Mississippi Educator License which certifies you to teach grades 7-12 in the state of Mississippi).
- After completing the program, your license converts to a 5-year AA Mississippi Educator license, which entitles you to a pay raise.
- Students receive program support during the two-year program.
- Begin a worthwhile and fulfilling career helping students.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Master's Program
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
2 years
Degree
M.A.T. in Teaching
Program Location
Emphases
Professional Practice;
Teacher Corps
Required Credit Hours
30
Explore Everything the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) has to Offer
Students applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) must meet the following requirements. Students must have:
- An undergraduate degree indicating coursework related to the subject you wish to teach.
- 3.0 GPA overall or on last 60 hours of undergraduate work, OR a minimum ACT composite score of 21, OR minimum SAT score of 990 (verbal and math only), OR passing scores on the Praxis Core exam.
- Passing score on the Praxis II test in the subject area you wish to teach. The Praxis II test must be passed before beginning coursework. More info can be found below.
- Writing sample that responds to the following prompt:
- What do you view as the greatest need in education and what characteristics do you possess that would allow you to address this need?
- What would you like to have accomplished after five years in the teaching profession?
- Participants must have a valid social security number and provide the Mississippi Department of Education with proof of lawful presence in the US.
You can apply (and be conditionally accepted) to the program before taking the Praxis II exam. You must pass the Praxis II before beginning coursework.
Praxis II Test:
The Praxis II is a content-area exam and you should sign-up for the content-area you are most interested in teaching.
MAT accepts Praxis II exams for the following subject areas.
Find Courses in Teaching
We are here for you!
If you have any questions about the Master of Arts in Teaching, don't hesitate to get in touch!
Joseph Patrick Sweeney
Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Mississippi Teacher Corps
Hear about the MAT from one of our graduates
Frequently Asked Questions
MAT is a master’s degree program for people possessing an undergraduate degree with significant coursework in the subject you wish to teach, or who are current teachers wishing to earn a master’s degree.
After the initial summer training, participants are eligible for a Mississippi Educator License which would allow them to teach grades 7-12 in Mississippi. Upon completion of the two-year program, participants receive a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and their license converts to a 5-year regular Mississippi Educator License.
Anyone possessing an undergraduate degree may apply.
This includes those who are currently certified teachers.
To provide certification and support to participants as they teach and earn a master’s degree and to create the next generation of teachers for the state of Mississippi.
Yes. You have to pass the Praxis II in the subject you wish to teach (typically math, science, social studies, or English) before you can begin coursework.
It may be possible to add supplemental endorsements for other subjects. Please check with the program for specific Praxis II options.
We admit students to the program each semester (fall, summer and spring).
The deadlines for each semester can be found on the application page.
Students are eligible to obtain a Mississippi Educator License after the initial summer training and can pursue employment to teach grades 7-12 at any school in Mississippi.
There are scholarship opportunities for students who meet certain criteria.
The program is TEACH Grant eligible.
The TEACH Grant will provide up to $3,772 per year for the first undergraduate program. Students cannot receive more than $15,088 total. Graduate students can receive up to $3,772 per year with a limit of $7,544.
Please remember that this award in combination with all other financial aid cannot exceed a student's cost of attendance.
The initial license is a 3-year provisional Mississippi Educator License. You have three years to finish the program, which allows it to convert to a 5-year regular Mississippi Educator license. If you don’t finish the program, this license expires and you will need to restart a licensure program if you wish to be licensed.
The program has not determined if the program curriculum meets the educational requirements for state licensure or certification in the states, territories, or entities outside of Mississippi. Reciprocity of a Mississippi teaching license is determined by individual states and entities.
Next Steps
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