Teacher Education

Master of Arts in Teaching

Become a skilled teacher and a leader in education.

Earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and Texas Teacher Certification through our Teacher Education Program at the Dreeben School of Education. Upon completion of the program requirements, students can pursue a teaching career based on their specialization as an elementary, middle or high school teacher.

The M.A.T. degree requires 36 - 42 hours of coursework (depending on the area of certification), professional development and a clinical teaching experience. The clinical teaching requirement may be met with either a one-semester placement under the guidance of a cooperating teacher or the completion of a one-year internship as a teacher of record.

 

Coursework Overview

Candidates interested in elementary teaching pursue the Core Subjects Early Childhood - Grade 6 certification. Applicants must demonstrate content proficiency by presenting a passing test score in Core Subjects EC-6 TExES (PACT) prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Secondary teaching program resulting in certification for grades 7 - 12 is available for the following specializations:

  • English Language Arts
  • History
  • Life Science
  • Physical Science
  • Mathematics

Candidates pursuing certification for the secondary or all-level grades, must demonstrate content proficiency by presenting a passing TExES (PACT) test score in the content area associated with the intended certification field prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program.

An all-level teaching program resulting in certification for early childhood through grade 12 is available for the following specializations:

  • Art
  • Music
  • Spanish
  • Theater
  • Physical Education

Candidates pursuing certification for the secondary or all-level grades, must demonstrate content proficiency by presenting a passing TExES (PACT) test score in the content area associated with the intended certification field prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program.

 

Clinical Teaching Experience

Clinical teacher in a classroomThe Teacher Education Program is a field-based program that provides intensive, realistic, and high-quality experiences in school settings. Eligible students may apply for a clinical teaching experience offering them an opportunity spend full days in classrooms and other learning environments where they connect theory and practice, observe effective teaching practices, and interact with diverse populations. Through the program, apprentice teachers explore and develop their teaching skills in close interaction with cooperating teachers and university supervisors.

The clinical teaching experience is considered to be the capstone of the Teacher Education Program and is completed in the final semester. Clinical teachers complete a 15 to 16-week, full-day placement. Placements with partnership schools are arranged by the program.

Clinical teachers must meet all requirements for clinical teaching applicable to the semester to which they apply. Requirements are subject to change to reflect current Texas Education Agency and UIW Teacher Education Program standards.

At minimum, clinical teacher applicants must demonstrate content proficiency with a passing state exam score in their certification content area as well as demonstrate the professional disposition expected for a professional educator.

 

Admissions Criteria

Find out more about requirements, standards and processes to begin your journey as a Dreeben School of Education student.