Program: Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - University of Memphis

MAT Program Admission

Because the University seeks to provide in as much as possible a reasonably safe environment for its teacher education program candidates and their students, candidates are required during the course of the program to demonstrate their dispositional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include ability to work with diverse students, families, and colleagues, the ability to perform content specific tasks, and suitable time and resource management.

Core performance standards for admission and progression:

Demonstrates effective oral communication skills.
Demonstrates effective written communication skills.
Demonstrates professionalism.
Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

Admission Requirements

Program requirements for admission into the MAT Program:

You must have a 2.75 GPA in an undergraduate program from a reputable institution.
Exams are not required for admittance to the MAT Program.
- Please note: Praxis II Content exams are required from admission into the Teacher Education program (TEP).
- You will receive more information about TEP admissions once you are admitted to the MAT program.

2.5 – 2.74 GPA Requirements:

You must take and pass the Praxis CORE Academics Skills for Educators (CORE) Writing Exam with a score of 162.
You must obtain a 3.0 GPA on the first semester of MAT coursework and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

2.25-2.49 GPA Requirements:

You must take and pass the Praxis CORE Academics Skills for Educators (CORE) Writing Exam with a score of 162.
Submit the EDA recommendation form > completed by a former instructor or employer.
You must obtain a 3.0 GPA on the first semester of MAT coursework and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission

All graduate students pursuing a teaching license must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) before completing 12 hours of licensure coursework. Not being admitted to TEP at the appropriate time, could result in delaying graduation and not meeting certification requirements. To be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), a graduate candidate must:

have a 3.0 graduate GPA.
must have passed the Praxis content area examination.
have a cleared TBI background check on file in the Office of Teacher Education.

JEP/Permit Candidates (Teachers of Record): If you already work as a full-time teacher at a school, you will need to update your most recent paystub and school ID or a letter on letterhead from your principal confirming that you work at the school and have a cleared background check on file.

NOTE: MAT admission, TEP admission, and Graduate School admission are separate procedures.

Program Requirements-MAT

Students seeking licensure and the MAT degree must take a minimum of 30-46 graduate semester hours, depending on program and licensure area. Minimum hours may increase depending on licensure requirements. Students who are employed by a school district on a Practitioner License may have the Level III (clinical teaching semester) waived if they provide the necessary documentation to verify one year of successful teaching experience in their area of licensure with a composite Teacher Evaluation Score of 3.0 or higher. Students in this category should contact the Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice for specific requirements. Please note that all initial licensure candidates, including candidates who on a Job-Embedded Practitioners License, must take ICL 7993 , either along with clinical teaching semester or the last semester before applying for license if working on a Practitioner License.

Licensure Areas:

Retention

To remain in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and the Teacher Education Program (TEP) the student must maintain a graduate grade point average of 3.25. Failure to maintain a 3.25 GPA will result in termination of a candidate’s TEP status and will result in academic probation in the MAT program.