TITLE

Master of Arts in Teaching Program

HISTORY

The Office of Teacher Certification previously analyzed applicant transcripts and made evaluations compared to requirements in various areas of certification. However, the system was changed and this responsibility was assumed by Mississippi colleges with approved teacher education programs after 1986.

Effective July 1, 1997, candidates must have a bachelor's degree, meet the required Praxis I scores, and pass the Praxis II Specialty Area test.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

Limited to these 18 areas:

Art Education
Biology
Business Education
Chemistry
Elementary Education (grades 4-8 only
English
French
German
Home Economics
Marketing
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Social Studies
Spanish
Speech Communication
Technology Education

WHO OPERATES

The college or university administers the MAT through the graduate program.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

A candidate must:

Hold a bachelor's degree in a non-education major from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher learning.

Enroll in a Master of Arts program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program is an alternate route program.

A candidate must pass both the Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test [PPST]) and the Praxis II (Specialty Area Tests).

A candidate must complete a total of 30 to 33 semester hours of specified graduate coursework over a period of three years.

This coursework includes six (6) semester hours of pre-teaching course requirements from an approved Master of Arts in Teaching Program, including an internship prescribed by the participating college or university. And the candidate must provide program verification.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

30 to 33 semester hours of coursework.

WHO OPERATES

The college or university administers the MAT through the graduate program.

LENGTH OF TIME

Three years; non-renewable.