MAT Program Admission

Teacher candidates must perform content specific tasks with high levels of accuracy and demonstrate appropriate management of time and resources. The ability to work in educational settings with students, families, and colleagues from varied backgrounds is also an essential requirement.   

The following are the minimum requirements for admission: 

1. A bachelor’s degree 

2. Undergraduate GPA  

   1. 2.75 from an accredited college or university  

Exams are not required for admittance to the MAT Program. 

Please note: Praxis II Content exams are required for Teacher Education Program (TEP) admission. 

Retention 

To remain in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program, candidates must maintain a graduate 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA will result in academic probation. A 3.0 GPA is required to graduate. 

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission

All graduate students pursuing a teaching license must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) by the end of the first semester. Obtaining TEP admission as indicated is necessary to avoid delayed program matriculation. 

To be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), a graduate teacher education candidate must have:  

• A 3.0 graduate GPA.  

• A passing score on the Praxis content area examination, if required by your program.  

• A cleared TBI background check on file in the Office of Teacher Education. 

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

Program Requirements-MAT

A minimum of 30-36 graduate semester hours must be earned by candidates seeking licensure and the MAT degree. 

Please note that all initial licensure candidates must take ICL 7993. Candidates with a Job-Embedded Practitioners License must complete ICL 7992 in place of ICL 7993, during the final semester of their program. 

Licensure Areas:

• Art Education (K-12) Licensure, (MAT) 
• Integrated Early Childhood Licensure, (MAT)  
• Early Childhood/Special Education (PreK-3), (MAT)  
• Elementary Licensure (K-5), (MAT)  
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Education (preK-12), (MAT)  
• Music Education (K-12), (MAT)  
• Secondary Licensure, (MAT) 
• Special Education - Comprehensive (K-12) Licensure, (MAT)  
• Special Education - Early Childhood (PreK-1) Licensure, (MAT)  
• Special Education - Interventionist Licensure, (MAT) 
• Special Education Licensure, (MAT)  
• World Languages Education, (MAT)  

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.