Master of Arts in Teaching

Degrees

Who qualifies for the MAT degree?

Our Teacher Preparation Programs are designed to prepare graduate level-students for teacher certification. The MAT degree is a professional degree program designed to meet the needs of a wide range of individuals. Typically, MAT students include:

Individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree and now seek teacher certification at the secondary level
Individuals already holding teacher certification, but seeking an additional certificate at another level
Individuals holding elementary or secondary teacher certification, but wishing to broaden their professional training
Individuals holding secondary teaching certification and wanting to add a specific subject area endorsement.

Program Information

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
The MAT program offers sepcialization in Secondary Education or a specific Secondary Content Area, including biology, English (language arts), English as a Second Language (ESL), history or modern languages. In the first semester, students take prerequisite classes and must pass the Basic Skills portion of the Michigan Test for Teacher Preparation Program, students complete course requirements and at least one semester of student teaching. MAT students must have or qualify for a valid Seventh-day Adventist and/or State of Michigan teaching certificate before the degree can be granted.

Admissions Information
For all students, the first step is to complete an Andrews University Graduate Application. Students admitted to the Graduate School and the School of Education are not automatically admitted to a Teacher Preparation Program (MAT), however. Applicants should either hold an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in the teaching area in combination with the MAT program. During the first semester, students must also have completed at least six credits in basic education courses, and have passed the MTTC Basic Skills Test.

Additional Information

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)
Michigan law (Public Acts 451, 282, and 289) mandates teacher testing as one aspect of Michigan's teacher certification requirements. The purpose of the MTTC test is to help ensure that individuals seeking certification have the basic skills and content knowledge to perform effectively in Michigan schools. For more information regarding this test, contact the TLC Department.

Student Teaching
Placements are available in private or public schools in elementary and secondary settings. Student preferences are considered in the placement process, but are not guaranteed. The student teaching semester consists of at least 15 weeks of full-time observation, participation, and teaching under supervision. Students must submit an application for student teaching by November 29 of the school year which precedes the one in which student teaching begins. Before acceptance is granted, students must meet the criteria as outlined by the TLC Department. For more information regarding placement and application criteria, contact the TLC Department.

The "First Days of School" Experience
The First Days of School Experience is a concentrated, full-time laboratory program for pre-service teachers conducted prior to the beginning of the fall semester. The program focuses on the week preceding and following the first day of school. It includes practical application of classroom management theories, and emphasis is placed on the tasks teachers must perform in the weeks before school opens, organizing and conducting the crucial first day and the tasks teachers encounter during the first weeks of school.

An Outstanding Faculty
Our programs are built upon and supported by a foundation of dedicated and specialized faculty. We have a reputation for academic excellence, and our students enjoy a high rate of professional and personal success all over the world.

Certification
The Teacher Preparation Programs are designed to qualify students for teacher certification in the state of Michigan, as well as in most other states through accreditation reciprocity.

Accrediation
Our Teacher Preparation Programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and are approved by the state of Michigan and by the North American Division Office of Education of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

A Collective, Christian experience in diversity
Recognized as one of the nation's top ten campuses for cultural diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2018), Andrews University connects you with unique perspectives inside and outside of the classroom. Our small, conference-style classes and emphasis on Christian principles promote a strong sense of community and support among peers and professors, fostering intellectual, professional, and spiritual growth.

MAT: Secondary Education, Secondary Content Area
The MAT program requires a minimum of 32 semester credits of coursework. Candidates for the degree must hold or qualify for a Seventh-day Adventist or State of Michigan teaching certificate. If this requirement is not met before admission to the program, the student must earn teaching certification before the degree can be granted. In these cases, the students should expect to complete more than 32 credits. Following is an outline of the MAT curriculum.

(This outline is subject to adjustment.)

MAT Total Credits: 32CR*
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS 3CR
EDFN500 Philosophical Foundations of Education & Psychology 3CR

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS 10-12CR
EDCI547 Foundations of Curriculum Development (recommended for SDA Certification) 3CR
EDCI565 Improving Instruction -OR- 3CR
EDTE408 Principles of Learning 3CR
EDTE476 Methods for Integrating Instructional Technology 2CR
EDPC525 Psychology & Education of Exceptional Children 3CR
EDTE698 Field Project** 1-3CR

SPECIALIZATION 19-22CR
A minimum of 8 credits in the area of specialization must be 500-level or higher. Choose one of the following specialization areas:

Secondary Education
Content Area

-See Andrews University bulletin for specialization requirements-

* A minimum of 12 credits must be at the 500-level or higher. Students who enter the MAT program without teacher certification will need to complete more than the 32 credits in order to qualify for a teaching certificate.
** A Field Proeject is required at the discretion of the professional education advisor