MAT Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:
- An application for graduate admission
• http://www.uncw.edu/gradschool/
• Deadline and Requirement Chart - Official copies of transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate). An undergraduate grade average of “B” or better is required.
- Official scores on the Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Exam
• Miller Analogies Test (www.milleranalogies.com)
• Graduate Record Exam (http://www.ets.org/gre/)
• UNCW Testing Service (http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/testing/programs.htm) - Official Passing Scores for the PRAXIS II Content Area Exam
It is recommended that you take the Licensure Area Content tests prior to enrollment in the MAT Program (http://www.uncw.edu/ed/advising/documents/praxisIItest.pdf)
Registration information, test administration dates, and test locations are available at www.ets.org/praxis/
Passing scores will be a requirement for teacher certification.
- Three recommendations by individuals in relevant professional fields
- In addition to materials required as part of the Graduate School application process, candidates for the M.A.T. program also must submit a letter of interest that describes their commitment to the teaching profession, recent experience working with teenagers, and their philosophy of teaching and learning – see below for fuller description and explanation
Praxis II Testing Changes - Effective September 1, 2012
Test codes beginning with “5” indicate computer delivery tests
All tests scored on a 100-200 point scale
Table 1 – New Licensure Testing Requirements Due to Discontinuation of Tests by ETS
| Licensure Area & Code | Required Praxis II Test Names & Codes |
SBE Approved Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Science - 300 | General Science: Content Knowledge (0435/5435) | 151 |
| Principles of Learning and Teaching (0624/5624) | 157 | |
| 2. Biology - 310 | Biology: Content Knowledge (0235/5235) | 150 |
| Principles of Learning and Teaching (0624/5624) | 157 | |
| 3. Chemistry - 330 | Chemistry: Content Knowledge (0245/5245) | 152 |
| Principles of Learning and Teaching (0624/5624) | 157 | |
| 4. English - 100 | English Language Literature and Composition: Content Knowledge (0041/5041) | 164 |
| Principles of Learning and Teaching (0624/5624) | 157 | |
| 5. Social Studies - 400 Anthropology - 433 Economics - 431 Geography - 410 History - 420 Political Science - 405 Sociology - 432 |
Social Studies: Content Knowledge (0081/5081) | 158 |
| Principles of Learning and Teaching (0624/5624) | 157 |
* Math not included in these changes, but will move to this model Sept. 1, 2013.
To ensure that candidates for the M.A.T. degree are aware of all of the expectations for high school teachers, applicants must have recent experiences in secondary education or related settings. Appropriate experiences may include substitute teaching, lateral entry employment, tutoring, and volunteering at informal educational settings (Museums, Aquariums, Boys/Girls Scouts, etc.).
For those candidates who lack related experiences teaching adolescents, it is highly recommended that the applicant visit an area high school and offer to observe/assist a teacher of their content (Math, Science, English, Social Studies) in some capacity. It would be advisable to include a short reflection on these experiences in the application letter of interest.
Final selection is based upon consideration of academic record, Miller Analogy or GRE test scores, passing Praxis II score, letter of application, and three recommendations. An interview with a committee of Watson College of Education faculty and public school personnel may be required.
APPLICATION DEADLINES: October 15th for spring admission (early) and March 15th for summer cohort admission.
Applicants, please be aware: There are two applicant deadlines for the MAT cohort program as listed above. While October 15th (Fall semester) applicants will be admitted as Spring semester candidates, these students will be advised to only take content area requirements (i.e. graduate content courses) during the first Spring semester. All candidates will begin the pedagogical graduate coursework with the cohort model the following Summer I Semester.
Students who seek professional improvement or licensure renewal but do not intend to pursue a degree may register for graduate courses through procedures established for non–degree students. Applications submitted no later than after two weeks of the March 15th deadline and only if spaces are still available, may be reviewed without penalty. NOTE: Licensure requirements change must be adjusted to accommodate new mandated competencies and guidelines.
Applicants that do not have an undergraduate degree in English, Math, Science, or History must complete 36 hours of credit in these courses for consideration for admission. Contact our Faculty Advisors for a list of courses.
Initial Contact Information:
Dr. Angelia Reid-Griffin
griffina@uncw.edu
910-962-7176
Reviewing Transcripts
Dr. Carol McNulty
mcnultycp@uncw.edu
910-962-3361
UNCW - The Graduate School
910-962-4117