Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching Degree (MAT) is a Graduate Alternate Certification Program intended to allow individuals who have completed a non-education bachelor's degree to earn a Master's degree and an initial teaching certificate. Candidates fully admitted to the MAT degree program will be eligible to apply for a practitioner teacher license. If you are currently certified, you can obtain an add-on certification in another area or qualify for a Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.)

Certification Areas - click on the area of study to download the curriculum sheet (pdf format)

Early Childhood (PK-3)

Elementary Education (Grades 1-5)

Middle School (Grades 4-8: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies)

Secondary (Grades 6-12: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, Physics and Social Studies)

Special Education

Special Education Mild/Moderate Integrated to Merged Program (Grades 1-5 )

Special Education Mild/Moderate Integrated to Merged Program (Grades 4-8: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies)

Special Education Mild/Moderate Integrated to Merged Program (Grades 6-12: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, Physics and Social Studies)

Special Education Early Intervention (Birth through age of 5)

Special Education Hearing Impaired (Grades 1-12)

Special Education Significant Disabilities (Grades 1-12)

For more information about each of the certification areas listed above, please utilize the links to the programs of study in the menu at right.

How do I apply?

Go to the Admissions Application that is available online.

If you are applying for the MAT, please follow the directions below on the Admission Term and Program section of the online
Admissions application.

Application Instructions for the MAT:

• Are you seeking a degree at UNO? Click: YES
• Academic Career: Graduate
• Program: Masters Education
• Plan: Initial Teacher Certification
  (student who is not a certified teacher)
• Sub Plan: Do not select a sub plan

If you are applying for Additional Certification (certified teacher seeking another certification), Professional Development (certified teacher seeking: Master's plus 30, National Board Certification or certificate renewal), or have earned a UNO Education Minor and are returning to complete certification, please follow the directions below on the Admission Term and Program section of the online Admissions application.

Application Instructions for Additional Certification:

• Are you seeking a degree at UNO? Click: NO
• Academic Career: Graduate
• Program: Non-degree Graduate Education
• Plan: Add-On, Professional Development or Earned a UNO Education Minor returning to complete certification
• Sub Plan: Do not select a sub plan

You are required to have complete and official transcripts mailed to the Office of Admissions directly from ALL schools attended. The Office of Admissions will not process your application until ALL transcripts are received. Once you have received your acceptance letter from Graduate School Admissions, you must schedule an appointment with an Academic Counselor in the college office. Please call 504-280-1278 to schedule an appointment.

If you are seeking initial certification, please have available an official copy of your transcript and documentation of PRAXIS and GRE scores for your advising session.

Requirements for Admission to The Program

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
• An overall 2.5 GPA on ALL college coursework
• Accepted to UNO Graduate School
• GRE Scores (Register for GRE online)
• Pass PRAXIS I (Reading, Writing, and Math) (see PRAXIS handout for registration procedures), OR
• ACT 22 composite score, or SAT 1030 (combined verbal and math scores) OR
• If you already have a Master's Degree, then Praxis I, ACT, or SAT and GRE are not required.
• Pass PRAXIS II Content Area

(The PRAXIS Series is an Educational Testing Service (ETS) program that provides tests for states to use as part of the teacher certification process. The state of Louisiana requires passing scores for PRAXIS I and II in order to be a certified teacher in Louisiana)

If your certification area is English, two PRAXIS II content tests are required.
For admission to the Secondary English Program, 0041 (Content Knowledge) is required; however, 0043 (Pedagogy) is required before program completion.

No PRAXIS II area exam required for Earth Science; however, candidates must have 31 hours of credit in Earth Science courses.

The content knowledge of candidates applying to the middle school and secondary education programs will be assessed via a transcript review. In some cases, additional content coursework will be required prior to program admission.

Under extraordinary circumstances, you may be given permission to register for three hours of coursework before meeting all admission requirements for the MAT degree program. (You may discuss this possibility with the Academic Counselor during your advising session.)

Requirements for Program Completion

Successful completion of all coursework and Internship or Student Teaching

Pass PRAXIS II (Principles of Learning and Teaching [PLT]) (www.ets.org/praxis)
See Special Education below for additional Praxis requirements.

NOTE: If your certification area is Secondary English, you must pass an additional PRAXIS II content exam 0043 (Pedagogy).

Special Education certifications are required to take an additional exam.

See the Educational Testing Services (ETS) web site for additional information.