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?” in the "Other FAQs" section below.
Agriculture 9-12
Art K-12
Biology 9-12
Business 9-12
Chemistry 9-12
Chinese K-12
Earth Science 9-12
English 9-12
Family & Consumer Sciences K-12
French K-12
General Science 9-12
German K-12
Japanese K-12
Journalism 9-12
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 Sciences 5-9
Social Studies 9-12
Spanish K-12
Speech & Theatre 9-12
Each certification area has a corresponding state-required content assessment, known as the Praxis. These content area exams are taken by all students who pursue
a teaching certificate in Missouri. Passing the State-required content assessment
shows your competency in the content area. View the Praxis certification area exams to find qualifying scores and the cost of each assessment.
FAQs
This program is a great fit if you want to earn a master’s degree and pursue teacher
certification in one of the content areas listed above.
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 State-required content assessment. You should take the content assessment before the end of your first semester and
must pass this test before enrolling in the student teaching course.
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) or the DESE required certification test
before starting your second semester. You must pass the content assessment before
enrolling in the student teaching course.
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.
This program contains internet-based courses and does not meet the requirements for seated/blended coursework that may be necessary
for eligibility for individual student situations such as aid or visa status.
Typically, student teaching outside the United States is not approved.
Student teaching takes place in a classroom of your certification area and grade level.
Student teaching is 16 weeks in a DESE accredited school for full days Monday through
Friday. Student teaching outside the United States is not approved for the MAT program.
The MAT practicum course requires 75 hours of classroom observation, which includes
teaching, reflective journals, and other coursework. The practicum must be completed
in a DESE accredited classroom that matches your content certification area and grade
level.
