Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed for individuals pursuing careers as teachers. The program combines an Elementary, Secondary or Preliminary Education Specialist credential with a master’s degree. Credential courses and fieldwork experiences are aligned with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Teaching Performance Expectations and reflect current research in education and best practices. Candidates utilize Common Core Standards and other state content standards to design engaging lessons and develop skills in planning and differentiating instruction, classroom management, and assessment. In addition, the program focuses the use of technology in the classroom and the development of 21st Century Skills. Advanced courses in research, learning theory and curriculum design prepare candidates to engage in systematic inquiry into their own teaching, and enhance their ability to make sound pedagogical decisions.

Applicants entering the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education programs must meet all of the requirements listed under “Credential Program Requirements”.  In addition, applicants must possess a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in the last 30 graded semester credits (45 quarter credits) completed in either a baccalaureate or post baccalaureate program, including credits earned toward a credential.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Learning Theory: Utilize theories of learning and brain research to enhance teaching and student learning.
  • Instruction: Differentiate instruction based on the needs of students.
  • Assessment: Utilize a variety of assessment data to inform instruction.
  • Curriculum Design: Evaluate curriculum design and curricular decisions as they relate to meeting the diverse needs of students.
  • Clinical Practice: Apply subject matter pedagogical skills in authentic settings and continually   reflect on and evaluate the effects of decisions and actions on others.
  • Action Research: Create an action research proposal that seeks to solve a personal educational dilemma.

Admission Requirements

  1. Application: Submit an application for admission to UMass Global.
  2. Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. And submit official transcripts from any other institution where post baccalaureate work was attempted or completed.
    1. GPA for admission is calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed either in the baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate program, including credits earned towards a credential.
  3. Subject Matter Verification: All Single Subject, Multiple Subject, and Education Specialist (except for Early Childhood Education Specialist) candidates must submit the Intended Subject Matter Competency Route Form including one of the following routes by which the requirement will be fulfilled:
    1. A completed baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in one of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s (CTC) approved academic majors.
    2. Evidence of registration or passing scores for the appropriate California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).
      1. If the appropriate CSET has been passed by the applicant, official scores may be submitted in lieu of the Intended Subject Matter Competency Route Form.
    3. A subject matter waiver letter from a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved subject matter preparation program.
    4. Transcripts showing completed and approved coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) in the content area of the credential.
    5. A combination of passing scores from CSET subtests and approved coursework.
  4. Letter of Good Standing (if applicable): Applicants transferring from another institution’s credential program must submit a letter from that institution’s Education Department attesting to the applicant’s good standing in the program. The letter must be written on institutional letterhead by the Dean, department chair, director of teacher education, or other administrator in a similar position. 

Items 1-3 above are required for all applicants; item 4 required only if applicable. Those with GPAs of 2.74 and below must meet additional requirements as noted below. Applicants may not enroll in credential coursework until successful completion of subject matter competency.

  5. Applicants with GPAs of 2.74 and below must submit a request for admission via Portfolio Option. Applicants whose GPA is 2.74 or below must also submit an approved Verification of Basic Skills form

  6. Applicants with GPAs below 2.5 must submit a request for admission via Portfolio Option and meet the Exceptional Admit criteria. The applicant’s file for a Portfolio and Exceptional Admit petition must include items 1-3 listed above (including satisfied Basic Skills requirement) to be considered. Additionally, the applicant must submit:

a. A Portfolio Form (found on the admissions resources web page).

b. A Petition for Exceptional Admission Form (found on the admissions resources web page).

c. A Statement/Letter from the applicant specifying exceptional admission criteria and how those criteria have been met.

d. Writing samples (2).

d. Resume.

e. Two current Letters of Recommendation that attest to the applicant’s ability to complete graduate coursework. These letters may not be older than two years from the date of the current application for admission. 

Transfer of Coursework

A total of six graduate level semester credits is the maximum allowed to transfer into the MAT Degree Program. No advanced core courses may be transferred into the degree program. For all MAT programs undergraduate credits may be used to meet course content requirements but will not meet unit requirements.

NOTE: Candidates who are currently enrolled in a credential standalone program and would like to enroll in the MAT program need to complete a new application and the Change of Academic Level form.  Candidates must meet all the Admission requirements for the MAT and have no less than 24 remaining credits in the proposed MAT program to be admitted.

Credential Program Requirements

Candidates in the MAT program are governed by both graduate degree and credential requirements.  Students may obtain the degree prior to completing the individual credential requirements and students may be recommended for the credential prior to completing the full MAT advanced coursework requirement.

Demonstration of Mastery

All Master of Arts in Teaching degree candidates, as part of their demonstration of mastery, must write an Action Research Proposal (ARP) paper.  The ARP paper is begun in EDUU 610 The Teacher As Scholarly Practitioner and completed in EDUU 611 Action Research Development. A detailed description of requirements and guidelines for the ARP are presented in the MAT Handbook available on the SOE Services MyUMassGlobal site.  Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for all of the courses completed prior to starting the Action Research Proposal.

Recommendation for Credential

Upon successfully completing and passing all credential, program and coursework requirements, the candidate may apply to be recommended to the CTC for the credential. To apply for the credential, candidates complete the Recommendation Form on the SOE Services MyUMassGlobal site. Once the recommendation is made by the Teacher Accreditation Department (TAD), candidates complete a CTC exit survey and submit the credential fee.