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. The program embraces pedagogy surrounding cultural diversity, equity, social-emotional learning and innovation. Advanced courses focus on global, national, and local education trends and practices.   

Applicants entering the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education programs must meet all 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

  • Teaching & Learning: Reflect upon and apply learning theories and the UDL Framework to enhance teaching and learning. 

  • Assessment & Data: Utilize a variety of assessments and synthesize data to differentiate instruction.  

  • Curriculum & Instruction: Align curriculum and technology to meet the diverse needs of students.  

  • Equity & Diversity: Analyze the social, political, and economic lives of historically marginalized people in the United States and globally as it relates to education.  

  • Clinical Practice: Reflect on teaching practice and integrate pedagogical knowledge and skills to ensure professional development. 

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 and satisfied Subject Matter Competency) 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

Nine graduate level semester credits are the maximum allowed to transfer into the MAT Degree Program. No MAT core courses may be transferred into the degree program.  

NOTE: Candidates enrolled in a credential standalone program and would like to enroll in the MAT program can do so at any point in the program prior to taking MAT Core Courses but must complete a new application and the Change of Academic Level form. Candidates must meet all the admission requirements for the MAT.

Credential Program Requirements

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

Capstone Project

All Master of Arts in Teaching degree candidates will complete a capstone project in EDUU 683. Candidates will create and share a well-designed and research-based course of action to address educational problems of practice as they relate to individual, local/state, national, and global challenges.  

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.