Program Director: Thomas Trendowski
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program is designed as an interdisciplinary degree option within the Teacher Education Program. The M.A.T. is intended for graduates from accredited colleges or universities with an undergraduate major in humanities, sciences, or social sciences who have few, if any, formal courses in education. The program is offered in the following areas of specialization: Art Education, Elementary Education, Health and Physical Education, Middle Grades Education (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), Secondary Education (English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), and Special Education. Upon successful completion of Phase I and state mandated examination(s), candidates will be eligible for a North Carolina Standard Professional I license, and upon successful completion of Phases I and II of the M.A.T. program and state mandated examination(s), recipients will be eligible for a North Carolina “M” license.
The M.A.T. program is available only to those individuals who have not earned licensure and who are seeking licensure in the teaching field in which they wish to earn the degree. The program includes courses in teaching pedagogy and professional education as well as concentrated study in a content-specific area, for a total of 36-39 hours (hours vary by concentration). An internship experience in an approved public school setting is required (3 semester hours). With the internship, the program will total 39-42 hours.
Although other program areas may be considered, the following undergraduate programs are determined to be most compatible with the selected graduate program of study:
- Art Education: B.F.A., B.S., or B.A. degree in studio art.
- Elementary Education: An appropriately aligned B.S. or B.A.
- Health and Physical Education: Exercise and Sports Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology
- Middle Grades Language Arts and Secondary English Education: English
- Middle Grades and Secondary Mathematics Education: Mathematics
- Middle Grades and Secondary Science Education: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics
- Middle Grades and Secondary Social Studies Education: History, Political Science
Degrees in closely related fields may be acceptable; transcripts will be evaluated, and any discipline-specific prerequisites will be specified at the time of admission to a program.
The M.A.T. Program has been developed according to NC State Board of Education Program Approval Standards. The graduate program incorporates the conceptual framework that is common to all teacher education programs at UNCP.