Master of Arts in Teaching

Prepare for a rewarding career as a teacher with our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.

From drawing up lesson plans to effectively managing the classroom, our master’s in teaching program provides you with a rigorous and thorough foundation in the fundamentals of teaching. As an entryway into the K-12 teaching profession, the program is ideal for students who previously earned a bachelor’s degree and are seeking their initial teaching certification.

This graduate in teaching program combines intensive coursework with student teaching opportunities to ready the next generation of teachers.

Our pathway to teacher certification covers these content areas:

  • English Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Science Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Social Studies Education (Grades 7-12)
  • World and Heritage Language Education (Grades PreK-12)

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Credits

36

Format

In-Person

Duration

10 months
Summer, Fall, and Spring

Time Commitment

Full-Time

Enrollment Term

June (Summer II term)

Application Deadline

January 15 - Priority Admission
March 1 - Application Deadline
Late applicants encouraged to apply and will be considered if space is available

Admissions Requirements

GRE Exam not required

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program offers students rigorous and hands-on teaching experiences. Our program is focused on research-based best practices that support all children to learn and is committed to fostering practices that further social justice.

The 10-month program can be completed in three academic terms (summer, fall, and spring) and features an internship with a local school district.

Content Area Tracks

Students in the MAT program select a content area that they wish to become certified to teach in:

  • English Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Science Education (Grades 7-12)
    • Options: Biology, Chemistry, General Science, and Physics
  • Social Studies Education (Grades 7-12)
  • World and Heritage Language Education (Grades PreK-12)
    • Options: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Latin

Internship Experience

During the school year, students complete an internship in a local public school under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Interns observe, analyze, and practice teaching skills in the grade levels and subjects of their mentor teacher.

In the fall term, MAT students spend approximately 20 hours per week working with their mentor teacher. In the summer term, students in the MAT program are in their school sites 30 hours per week, culminating in a two-week take-over of their mentor teacher’s full responsibilities.

Certification Requirements

Our graduates satisfy the requirements to earn a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree by achieving the following:

  • Earning a passing score on the  PRAXIS II Exam in their content area
    • World and Heritage Language Education students must also earn the scores of Advanced low on the Oral Proficiency Interview and the Written Proficiency Test
  • Completing the PA Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430); and
  • Demonstrating satisfactory performance in courses and the student internship.

Teaching Interns must take and pass the Content Knowledge (PRAXIS II) test either the summer before the program or during the first semester of the program in order to obtain their Intern Certificate.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification website.

 

Curriculum

Our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is 36 credits across all content area tracks.  Students receive substantial experience in both theoretical grounding and the real-world skill needed to successfully embark upon their teaching careers. In addition to completing a teaching internship with a local school district, students will complete capstone courses that culminate in a reflective teaching portfolio and project.

English Education

This content area track approaches pedagogy centered on dialogic, student-centered instruction that addresses literature, literary theory, and writing in an ELA classroom in grades 7-12. We also focus on issues of equity, justice, and engagement in today’s schools.

View English Education courses >>

Mathematics Education

Prepares students to teach math in grades 7-12 at the middle and high school level.

View Mathematics Education Courses >>

Science Education

In this content area track, students select one of the following areas of specialization in science: Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Physics. Certification studies are to teach at grades 7-12.

View Science Education Courses >>

Social Studies Education

The program is geared toward students who wish to teach within the field of social studies at grades 7-12.

View Social Studies Education Courses >>

World and Heritage Language Education

This content area track offers students rigorous instruction in teaching specific foreign language areas in grades K-12. Certification studies are available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish.

View World and Heritage Language Education >>

Prerequisites

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • 3 credits of Foundations of Special Education
  • 3 credits of Adolescent Development

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN PREREQUISITES

  • 30 hours of experience working with K-12 children (preferably adolescents).  Typical experiences include work at summer camps, tutoring, community involvement, or other volunteer or paid work with children.
  • Please complete the Hours Documentation Form (PDF), which must be submitted with your application materials

ENGLISH EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • 12 credits of English Literature
    • This area requires a minimum of 4 three-credit courses.
    • Courses must include reading, analysis, interpretation, and writing about literatures which reflect a diversity of genders, races, and cultural perspectives.
    • A single course may satisfy more than one of these required foci. Examples include, but are not limited to literature courses such as, American, Women’s, African American, Native American, African, Latino/a, Caribbean, LGBTQ, Asian, World, British, or Adolescent.
  • 3 credits of English Composition
    • This area requires a minimum of one, 3-credit course.
    • Courses must have a composition or writing focus.
    • Examples include, but are not limited to, Fiction Writing, Journalism, Poetry, or Prose.
  • 6 credits of English Electives
    • This area requires a minimum of two, 3-credit courses.
    • Courses should focus on writing, English language, or English-related areas.
    • Examples: Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Uses of Literacy, Fiction, Non-fiction, Journalism, Poetry, Media Studies, Theater Arts, Film Studies, Film Production, Film Analysis, or Rhetorical Studies.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • 3 credits of Foundations of Special Education
  • 3 credits of Adolescent Development

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN PREREQUISITES

  • 30 hours of experience working with K-12 children (preferably adolescents).  Typical experiences include work at summer camps, tutoring, community involvement, or other volunteer or paid work with children.
  • Please complete the Hours Documentation Form (PDF), which must be submitted with your application materials

MATHEMATICS EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a major in mathematics or a mathematics-related field (e.g. physics, engineering, economics)
  • Completion of the college-level Calculus Sequence (Calculus 1,2 & 3, or its equivalent)
  • College-level experience in Abstract Algebra, Number Theory, Linear Algebra, Geometry, Probability, and Statistics (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents)  will be required to make a case for approval).

Prerequisites for All Science Applicants

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • 3 credits of Foundations of Special Education
  • 3 credits of Adolescent Development

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN PREREQUISITES

  • 30 hours of experience working with K-12 children (preferably adolescents).  Typical experiences include work at summer camps, tutoring, community involvement, or other volunteer or paid work with children.
  • Please complete the Hours Documentation Form (PDF), which must be submitted with your application materials

Subject-Specific Requirements

PREREQUISITES FOR BIOLOGY APPLICANTS ONLY

  • A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in Biology or related fields (e.g., Biochemistry, Environmental Science, etc.) with at least 9 of these credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships;
  • Foundations of Biology I and II (with labs); General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Organic Chemistry I (with lab); Calculus I (not included in 38 credit total)
  • Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Molecular or Cellular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Environmental Biology or Ecology (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval)

PREREQUISITES FOR CHEMISTRY APPLICANTS ONLY

  • A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in Chemistry or related fields (e.g., Biochemistry, Geochemistry, etc.) with at least 9 of these credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships;
  • Foundations of Biology I (with lab); General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Organic Chemistry I and II (with labs); Introduction to Physics I; Calculus I and II (not included in 38 credit total);
  • Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Analytic Chemistry or Instrumental Analysis; Physical Chemistry; Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or Geochemistry;  (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval).

PREREQUISITES FOR GENERAL SCIENCE APPLICANTS ONLY

  • A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in the natural sciences and/or mathematics (at least 9 credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships
  • Foundations of Biology I and II (with labs);
  • General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Organic Chemistry; Introduction to Physics I and II; Physics Lab; Calculus I (not included in 38 credit total)
  • Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Molecular or Cellular Biology, Environmental Biology or Ecology, Geology, and Astronomy (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval).

PREREQUISITES FOR PHYSICS APPLICANTS ONLY

  • A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in Physics or related fields (e.g., Biophysics, Mathematics, etc.) with at least 9 of these credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships;
  • Introduction to Physics I and II (with labs); General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Calculus I, II, and III (not included in 38 credit total);
  • Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Mechanics (above introductory level); Electricity and Magnetism (above introductory level); Optics; Wave Motion; Ethical, Human, and/or Environmental Applications of Contemporary Physics; (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval).​​

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • 3 credits of Foundations of Special Education
  • 3 credits of Adolescent Development

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN PREREQUISITES

  • 30 hours of experience working with K-12 children (preferably adolescents).  Typical experiences include work at summer camps, tutoring, community involvement, or other volunteer or paid work with children.
  • Please complete the Hours Documentation Form (PDF)

SOCIAL STUDIES CONTENT PREREQUISITES

Area 1: Content Prerequisites 15-18 credits)

This area requires a minimum of 5 three-credit courses. Courses must directly address content in the following topic areas. A single course may satisfy more than one of these required foci. If regional, period, and/or topic specific courses are used to meet these prerequisites, up to 3 additional credits will be required in order to meet content expectations.

  • U.S. History;
  • Western European History;
  • World History (non-Western);
  • Ancient History;
  • Geography; and
  • World Cultures

Area 2: Civics (3 credits)

The course must focus on general themes of political science, particularly those related to democracy, civic engagement, American political systems, or related topics.

Area 3: Economics (3 credits)

A course in basic or advanced Economics is required

Area 4: Sociology and Social Foundations (3 credits)

This prerequisite may be satisfied by a course in either the humanities, social sciences, or education that examines how socially constructed categories create advantages and disadvantages in social or educational institutions.

Examples include courses that explore the history, nature, or implications of:

  • classism and capitalism;
  • heterosexism, homophobia, genderism, and sexism;
  • racism, xenophobia, and ethnocentrism;
  • religious oppression;
  • ableism; and/or
  • other, interrelated forms of subordination

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

  • 3 credits of Foundations of Special Education
  • 3 credits of Adolescent Development

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN PREREQUISITES

  • 30 hours of experience working with K-12 children (preferably adolescents).  Typical experiences include work at summer camps, tutoring, community involvement, or other volunteer or paid work with children.
  • Please complete the Hours Documentation Form (PDF), which must be submitted with your application materials

PREREQUISITES FOR LATIN LANGUAGE STUDENTS ONLY

The following prerequisites must be fulfilled by all applicants of Latin only. A total of 24 credits are necessary, with at least 12 credits in Latin Area 1 and 12 credits in Latin Area 2.

Latin Area 1

  • Roman Civilization (3 credits)
  • Latin Prose Composition (3 credits)

Latin Area 2

  • At least 12 credits in Latin with a maximum of 144 credits

PREREQUISITES FOR CHINESE, FRENCH. GERMAN, ITALIAN, JAPANESE, AND SPANISH LANGUAGE STUDENTS

A total of 24 credits are necessary to be distributed across Area 1 and Area 2.  At least 12 credits must be completed in both Areas 1 and 2.

Area 1: Languages and Linguistics (At least 12 credits)

  • Conversation and Advanced Conversation (3 credits)
  • Composition/Writing (3 credits)
  • Stylistics (3 credits)
  • Phonetics (3 credits)
  • Grammar (3 credits)
  • Syntax (3 credits)
  • Structure of the Language (3 credits)
  • Dialects (3 credits)
  • Morphology (3 credits)
  • Listening Comprehension (3 credits)
  • Advanced Reading (not a literature course) (3 credits)
  • Professional Translation (3 credits)
  • History of the Language (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Linguistics (may be taught in English) (3 credits)

Area 2: Literature and Culture (At least 12 credits)

  • Civilization I (3 credits)
  • Civilization II (3 credits)
  • Major Cultural Periods (3 credits)
  • Cultural Heritage Courses (3 credits)
  • Literature Surveys (3 credits)
  • Author Courses (3 credits)
  • Genre Courses (3 credits)
  • Literary Period Courses (3 credits)
  • Cultural Period Courses (3 credits)
  • Thematically-based Literature Courses (3 credits)

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Career Pathways

The majority of our graduates go on to become middle school and high school teachers in public and independent schools in Pittsburgh, across Pennsylvania, and around the country.

As they gain experience, some graduates have become teacher leaders, principals, and superintendents.