What areas can I earn teaching certification with the MAT?
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree can give you teaching certification in
the following areas.
If you do not see your interest area, refer to the “Is the MAT program right for me?”
section following this table.
The corresponding Missouri Content Assessment, known as the MoCA, are content area
exams taken by all students who pursue a teaching certificate in Missouri. Passing
the MoCA shows your competency in the content area.
Area of teaching certification
Required MoCA test
Art K-12
036 Art
Biology 9-12
075 Biology
Business 9-12
017 Business
Chemistry 9-12
076 Chemistry
Chinese K-12
037 World Languages: Chinese-Mandarin
Earth Science 9-12
077 Earth Science
English 9-12
020 English
Family & Consumer Sciences K-12
038 Family & Consumer Sciences
French K-12
039 World Languages: French
German K-12
040 World Languages: German
Japanese K-12
063 Professional Knowledge: Secondary
Language Arts 5-9
011 Middle School Education: Language Arts
Latin K-12
063 Professional Knowledge: Secondary
Mathematics 9-12
082 Mathematics
Mathematics 5-9
012 Middle School Education: Mathematics
Music Instrumental K-12
043 Music: Instrumental & Vocal
Music Vocal/Choral K-12
043 Music: Instrumental & Vocal
Physical Education K-12
044 Physical Education
Physics 9-12
078 Physics
Science 5-9
013 Middle School Education: Science
Social Science 9-12
071 Social Science
Social Science 5-9
014 Middle School Education: Social Science
Spanish K-12
045 World Languages: Spanish
Speech & Theater 9-12
031 Speech & Theater
Other FAQs
This program is a great fit if you want to earn a master’s degree and pursue teacher
certification in one of the following areas:
Art K-12
Biology 9-12
Business 9-12
Chemistry 9-12
Chinese K-12
Earth Science 9-12
English 9-12
Family & Consumer Science K-12
French K-12
German K-12
Japanese K-12
Language Arts 5-9
Latin K-12
Mathematics 9-12
Mathematics 5-9
Music Instrumental K-12
Music Vocal/Choral K-12
Physical Education K-12
Physics 9-12
Science 5-9
Social Science 9-12
Social Science 5-9
Spanish K-12
Speech & Theater 9-12
If you already have your teacher certification in Missouri or any other state, this
is not the program for you. Refer to Missouri State’s other graduate programs in education.
You can complete all your MAT course work online. Your MAT practicum (75 hours) and
student teaching (full-time for 16 weeks) are completed in a K-12 classroom.
You must complete content area courses until you earn a passing score on the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA). You should take the MoCA before the end of your first semester.
Your academic advisor will complete a transcript analysis and design a customized
study plan for you.
Meet with your advisor to discuss your study plan and schedule.
Meet with your advisor, complete paperwork and meet grade requirements in your courses.
Register for courses as soon as possible after meeting with your advisor.
Complete two background checks – the Missouri Volunteer and Employee Criminal History Service (MOVECHS) waiver and
the FBI fingerprinting background check – before starting your second semester.
Take the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) before starting your second semester.
You must pass the MoCA before you begin student teaching.
Complete compliance document requirements.
Meet the MAT program’s grade requirements.
If you’ve started the MAT program prior to the fall 2022 semester, you will follow
the graduate college final grade policy.
If you’ve started the MAT program in or after the fall 2022 semester, you must obtain
a “B” or higher in all your MAT courses. A B-minus (B-) grade is not a ‘B or higher.’
Earn a minimum 3.0 professional education grade point average (GPA) for certification.
Complete an education research project and presentation, which satisfies the comprehensive
examination requirement for the MAT degree.
