Teaching, Secondary Education (Master of Arts in Teaching, M.A.T.)

Dr. Kipton Smilie, Program Director
ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-5952
missouriwestern.edu/education/mat

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)—Secondary is designed for the college graduate who did not pursue an education degree as an undergraduate, but now would like to enter the teaching profession.  An individual who earned a content area degree in a subject area offered at secondary schools at the undergraduate level is eligible for enrollment in this program.  The MAT degree program will provide such individuals with the training and field experience necessary to earn initial State of Missouri teacher certification in grades 9-12 or K-12, depending on the subject area.

Missouri Western offers the MAT degree in 21 different curricular areas. Teaching certification for grades 9 – 12 is available in 12 areas: Agriculture Education, Biology, Business Education, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Journalism, Mathematics, Physics, Social Science, Speech and Theatre, and Technology and Engineering. Certification may be earned for grades K – 12 in 9 areas: Art, Family and Consumer Science, French, General Science, Health, Instrumental Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Vocal Music. Students who are pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching degree may qualify for TEACH grant assistance; please contact the office of Financial Aid for more information.

All students who successfully complete the MAT program and meet the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education minimum requirements will earn an initial teaching license in the State of Missouri. This is one of the quickest ways available for content area college graduates to attain certification.  Simultaneously with the initial teaching license, individuals who successfully complete the Master of Arts in Teaching program will earn a master’s degree.

All coursework for the MAT program is offered fully on-line to maximize flexibility for working adults. In addition to the online format, the program includes numerous opportunities for real time interactions with peers, colleagues, and professors. The program also includes a strong fieldwork component, through which students gain hands-on experience teaching and interacting with learners who are in diverse, inclusive, secondary or select K-12 classrooms.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching requires meeting all qualifications for acceptance to the Missouri Western Graduate Program.

• Submission of application for admission to the MWSU Graduate Program.
• Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (from undergraduate work)
• Pass Missouri Content Assessment (prior to July 1, 2024) or the Praxis Subject Test (after July 1, 2024) in the content area of certification (within first two semesters of study).

• Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework

• Statement of purpose: A one-page narrative, which describes his/her purpose for seeking admission to a graduate program, as well as what he/she hopes to gain from the experience.
• No GRE is required.

Students who are accepted to this degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.

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In addition to the courses listed below, students will be required to take an Orientation Workshop (EDU 500).

 Program Graduation Requirements

University Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactorily complete all required coursework in the program;
2. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours;