M.A.T. in Middle Grades Admission Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree must be completed before graduate study begins.
Applicants seeking admission to the M.A.T program in middle grades education are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:
- An application for graduate admission;
- Official copies of transcripts of college work (graduate and undergraduate); an undergraduate grade average of “B” (GPA = 3.0) or better is required.
- Official scores on Miller Analogies Test (score of 400) or Graduate Record Exam (a 1000 combined score on the Verbal and Quantitative sections);
- Three recommendations by individuals in relevant professional fields; and
- A letter of interest describing commitment to the teaching profession, prior experiences working with young adolescents, prior experiences in middle level schools, and philosophy of teaching and learning. Candidates for the M.A.T program are strongly urged to have teaching experience documented before they apply in order to be knowledgeable about education in middle level schools and working with young adolescents. Such experience may include substitute teaching, part-time teaching, volunteer work, and so forth.
To ensure that prospective teachers applying to the M.A.T program offered by the Watson College of Education know the content they will be teaching, applicants seeking admission to the M.A.T program in middle grades education are required to submit Official Passing Scores for the PRAXIS II Middle Grades Content Area Exam (language arts, math, science, or social studies). Applicants must identify UNCW as the score recipient. Praxis information is available on line at http://www.uncw.edu/ed/advising/documents/praxisIItest.pdf;
Admissions decisions are based upon several factors, and where other indicators of success warrant, individuals who fall below the established criterion in one of the areas may be considered for admission.
The admissions process for this program may require an interview. Final selection will be based upon consideration of academic record, test scores, writing samples, recommendations, and possible interview performance.