Master of Arts in Teaching

African-American teacher working one-on-one with African-American student

If you’re looking for a career change and are interested in becoming a teacher, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) could be the answer.

Teachers are in demand

Teaching could not only be a rewarding career for you personally, but also could fill a great need for teachers throughout Texas and the nation. Reports indicate the national teacher shortage is growing larger. In Texas, the state education agency has identified teacher shortage areas — most of which are options in both the MAT and Certification-only programs — as well as loan forgiveness opportunities.

MAT Degree Program

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, you can gain initial teacher certification and earn a graduate degree at the same time. The MAT degree meets teacher certification standards set by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification and is accredited by the Texas Education Agency.

TWU provides a high-quality education within a flexible framework in the MAT program, enabling you to balance demands of both your personal and professional life. The MAT is highly flexible to meet student's needs. There are options to take courses in a hybrid model or even fully online.

All courses are taught by faculty members who have years of experience in every aspect of teaching. The program produces teachers who have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills by focusing on:

  • Multiple roles of a teacher as a researcher/scholar/practitioner
  • Theory- and research-based practices for curriculum and instruction
  • Increased content knowledge needed for instruction
  • Applying appropriate technology in education
  • Assessment of teaching and learning
  • Socio-cultural and learning differences among students
  • Collaborative leadership to improve schools

Program of Study and Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.A.T. (Interdisciplinary)

Program Contact

Jean Joest
MAT Program Director
940-898-2258
MAT@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall – July 15
Spring – November 1
Summer – April 1

Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
    • a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought, unless certification sought is for mathematics or science at or above Grade 7; and the content requirement of 12 semester hours will be determined by the Certification Officer or MAT Program Director; or
    • 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought if the certification sought is for mathematics or science at or above Grade 7 and the content requirement of 12 semester hours will be determined by the Certification Officer or MAT Program Director.
    • a passing score on the appropriate TX PACT examination
  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university;
  • A 2.75 cumulative GPA on all coursework on the last conferred bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 on the last 60 hours of coursework (includes all coursework taken even if it did not count for your initial degree);
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency by fulfilling one of the following requirements;
    • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, not including US Territories;
    • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States approved by the State for Educator Certification (SBEC); or
    • Verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). To have scores submitted directly to TEA use the agency code 8225. Minimum scores: Speaking-24, Listening-22, Reading-22, Writing-21.
    • Background checks will be required for early field experiences, student teaching experiences, and for certification in the state of Texas. Teacher candidates pay all fees incurred. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony must identify themselves on the criminal background application form. Applicants who fail to disclose a personal felony conviction will be removed from the educator preparation program. If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and would like to check your eligibility for teaching, you can go to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. On this page, you will find a Preliminary Criminal History Review for Educator Certification Candidates for a non-refundable fee. This service will allow those individuals who are contemplating obtaining a Texas Teacher Certificate in the future, the opportunity to have a review of an existing criminal history performed by agency staff.

Failure to provide any documentation upon request by an agency, program, or school may result in the candidate’s inability to complete field experiences and the requirements for the TWU Educator Preparation Program Education.

How to Apply

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
    • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
      • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
    • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.

  2. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
    • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
    • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
    • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.

  3. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU.  See the International Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.

MAT Degree Plan
Master of Arts in Teaching Handbook

Certification

Colleges and universities recommend individuals for teacher certification, but certification is granted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Requirements for initial teacher certification in Texas include earning a baccalaureate degree, completing an approved educator preparation program, passing a minimum of two examinations — one in content and one that covers instruction and professional responsibilities (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility exams) — and being recommended by an approved educator preparation program.

The teacher certification process in Texas is an online system; paper applications are not accepted. Please note: It is your responsibility to apply for certification through TEA. It cannot be initiated by the university. This should be done toward the end of your final semester in the MAT program, just prior to graduation.

MAT Certification Options

Elementary School Options

  • EC-6 Core Subjects
  • EC-6 Core Subjects with Bilingual
  • EC-6 Core Subjects with English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • EC-6 Core Subjects with Special Education

Middle School Options

  • 4-8 Core Subjects
  • 4-8 Core Subjects with Bilingual
  • 4-8 Core Subjects with English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • 4-8 Core Subjects with Special Education
  • 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading
  • 4-8 Math
  • 4-8 Social Studies
  • 4-8 Science

Grades 6-12 Options

  • Dance
  • Family & Consumer Science
  • Physical Science

Grades 7-12 Options

  • Composite Science
  • English Language Arts and Reading
  • History
  • Life Science
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies

Grades 8-12 Options

  • Hospitality, Nutrition, Food, and Science
  • Human Development and Family Studies

All-level Options

  • Art
  • Physical Education
  • Theatre Arts

NOTE: For EC-12 Music, contact Vicki Baker (vbaker@twu.edu) in the music department for details.

Contact

Jean Ann Joest, PhD
MAT/PBITC Program Director
940-898-2258 
MAT@twu.edu 

Page last updated 10:23 AM, September 6, 2023