Degree MAT
The Master of Arts in teaching program is planned for those who seek an initial Maryland teaching certificate and a graduate degree. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is in general a pre-service degree that commonly demands a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree. While the program often demands education classes in order to meet state licensure demands, it emphasizes advanced course work in a specific academic discipline to enhance one’s knowledge in that subject area. Candidates usually spend a semester as a student teacher in order to earn the degree. This program serves students who did not earn a bachelor’s degree in education and who seek to become teachers. Click on each study option below for the degree demands.
The Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree is often advantageous to middle school and secondary school teachers because it allows them to focus on subject area knowledge in their undergraduate program and then acquire pedagogical skills in their graduate studies. It differs from the Masters in Education (MEd) degree which is usually geared toward practicing teachers, or toward those who desire to serve as counselors (school or otherwise) or as educational administrators.