Frequently Asked Questions
- What subject areas and grade levels does the Secondary MAT program include?
- I have a degree in sociology or political science. Is the MAT program appropriate?
- I have a degree in one of the science areas. What does it take to teach the area of science?
- I have a degree in journalism but want to teach English. What does it take to teach English?
- I would like to teach math but don't have a degree in math. What are the requirements?
- What are the admissions requirements and how do I apply?
- Do I need to have teaching experience to be admitted?
- What are the minimum scores required on the Graduate Record Exam or Millers Analogy Test? What is the difference in the tests?
- How long will the program take to complete? When can I begin the program?
- How do I get my transcripts reviewed to determine any undergraduate licensure requirements that might be needed?
- I want to teach middle school. Will this degree allow me to do that?
- I am a lateral entry teacher. Can I enroll in the MAT program?
- Are there courses in the summer?
- How does financial aid work? How will I know if I am eligible?
- I may not end up teaching in North Carolina. What will that mean for my teaching licensure?
- How can I find out more information? What are my next steps?
- What does it cost to be part of the program?
- Can I teach community college with the MAT in Secondary?
- If later on I want to become a school administrator, what would I do?
- My main preference is to teach at a community college. Is the MAT for me?
1. What subject areas and grade levels does the Secondary MAT program include?
The MAT is offered in Math, English, History, Science and Foreign Languages and provides a graduate degree with North Carolina teacher licensure for grades 9-12.
2. I have a degree in sociology or political science. Is the MAT program appropriate?
The program is most suited to those with an undergraduate degree in History. Students are required to complete all required undergraduate courses to be recommended for teacher licensure in the social studies, including undergraduate History. We will review your transcripts and determine what undergrad courses are needed (if any) prior to the program. For the MAT, 12 of the required 18 hours of graduate level social science credits are in History. However, students who have a strong background in History and other relevant experiences should apply.
3. I have a degree in one of the science areas. What does it take to teach the area of science?
Students have to complete all required undergraduate courses for a teaching license in the area of science to be recommended for teacher licensure. We require that MAT students complete the broader area of science. We will review your transcripts and determine what undergrad courses are needed (if any) prior to the program. The program information lists the requirements for the 18 hrs in graduate science for the MAT.
4. I have a degree in journalism but want to teach English. What does it take to teach English?
The program is most suited to those with an undergraduate degree in English. Students have to complete all required English undergraduate courses, or an equivalent course at the graduate level, to be recommended for teacher licensure. We will review your transcripts and determine what undergrad courses are needed (if any) prior to the program. For the MAT, 18 graduate hours in English are required.
5. I would like to teach math but don't have a degree in math. What are the requirements?
The MAT program is most suited to those with an undergraduate degree in Math. Students have to complete all required Math undergraduate courses to be recommended for teacher licensure. We will review your transcripts and determine what undergrad courses are needed (if any) prior to the program. For the MAT, 18 graduate hours in mathematics are required. However, students who have a strong background in Math and other relevant experiences should have their transcripts reviewed to determine if they are close enough to a math major equivalent to apply.
6. What are the admissions requirements and how do I apply?
Check the online requirements for admissions http://www.uncw.edu/ed/itfse/mat/admissions.html
Complete the online application at the UNCW graduate school web site http://www.uncw.edu/grad%5Finfo/prospectivestudents.htm
7. Do I need to have teaching experience to be admitted?
We require applicants to have recent experience working with high school students prior to enrollment in the program. This can be substitute teaching or other work that has the applicant in regular high school settings. For those who lack that experience, we ask them to arrange a minimum of three visits to an area high school and to assist the teacher of their content (Math, Science, English, Social Studies or Spanish) in a minimum of three mini-lessons. Access to schools is sometimes difficult with security clearances, etc. so we encourage applicants to being this early in the semester they are making application. For questions about options for fulfilling this requirement, or for students who experience any difficulties in gaining access to a high school, please contact the MAT Initial Contact person.
8. What are the minimum scores required on the Graduate Record Exam or Millers Analogy Test? What is the difference in the tests?
The Miller’s Analogy Test is a test of analogies while the Graduate Record Exam is a test of verbal, quantitative and analytical writing abilities. The GRE is used by many doctoral programs for admission. Scores on the GRE or MAT tests are reviewed together with other admissions requirements in making decisions. Typically, the admissions committee looks for students to have scored at or above the mean for admission. However there are no set minimum scores and the tests are used as one indicator for admission. Information on the GRE and MAT tests is available at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/testing/links.htm The tests can be taken at Westside Hall here on campus.
9. How long will the program take to complete? When can I begin the program?
For full-time students, the “fastest” the program can be is two semesters and a summer of course work with a one full-time semester internship. To finish the program in this timeframe requires a student to be able to handle a full load of education and content classes, be completed with all undergraduate courses prior to the program and for there to be availability of summer classes (six hours of discipline-based courses).
For part-time students, the program will take a year or two longer, depending on your ability to take more than one class a semester.
For lateral entry teachers, the timeframe is dependent on your schedule and how many classes you can successfully manage while teaching fulltime.
You will work with your advisor to determine the pathway best for you.
Students can begin the program in the fall or spring, although fall semester is preferred.
10. How do I get my transcripts reviewed to determine any undergraduate licensure requirements that might be needed?
Contact Dr. Hank Weddington, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, to set up an appointment to review your transcripts for possible admission to the MAT program. Copies of your transcripts are acceptable for this round of review. Official transcripts will be required at the time of application – weddingtonh@uncw.edu
11. I want to teach middle school. Will this degree allow me to do that?
The program is designed to prepare teachers for high school teaching in North Carolina. However, once licensed for high school. teachers can add another licensure area in North Carolina by successfully passing the appropriate Praxis II exam(s).
12. I am a lateral entry teacher. Can I enroll in the MAT program?
Yes. The program requires taking 21 education credit hours and 18 in your discipline areas. This means that a lateral entry teacher will have to plan ahead to ensure completion of the program within the three-year window of the lateral entry regulations. It is often difficult to juggle full-time teaching and taking multiple courses at the university. We will work with you to plan the best route for you.
13. Are there courses in the summer?
Summer coursework at the graduate level varies by discipline. In some of the areas, there is a complete offering of classes and in others it is more limited. You will work with your advisor to determine the summer courses available and appropriate to your program. Six credit hours of approved graduate work can be transferred into your program as appropriate.
14. How does financial aid work? How will I know if I am eligible?
All students have the opportunity to apply for financial aid. Students have to fill out a FASFA. This will then indicate which scholarships and government education loans that are available. Students select the one that they qualify for and which meet there needs. Please see the Financial Aid site for more information. http://www.uncw.edu/finaid/
15. I may not end up teaching in North Carolina. What will that mean for my teaching licensure?
It is important early on to contact the state you intend to move to see how the North Carolina license transfers to that state. Go to the web page of the state department of education you may be relocating to. Also, you may want to view he information on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to see which states NC has reciprocity http://www.ncpublicschools.org/employment/reciprocity.html
16. How can I find out more information? What are my next steps?
For initial contact information, please email Dr. John Fischetti. fischettij@uncw.edu For specific discipline related questions, refer to the appropriate faculty member listed under Faculty and Staff on the MAT web page. http://www.uncw.edu/ed/itfse/mat/
17. What does it cost to be part of the program?
The following web site has tuition information. http://www.uncw.edu/ba/accounting/student_accounts/CampusTuitionandFees0506.htm
18. Can I teach community college with the MAT in Secondary?
The 18 hours of graduate coursework in the discipline usually is accepted as meeting requirements for teaching community college. If you are interested in teaching community college, it is important the all of the 18 hours of the coursework in your discipline area be prefixed with the letters of that discipline. For example Math (MAT), Science, (BIO, GLY, EVS, PHY, CHM, etc), English (ENG), History (HST).
19. If later on I want to become a school administrator, what would I do?
Once finished with the MAT after teaching the required number of years, candidates can apply to complete the add-on MSA licensure program. Currently that is a 24-hour program. See the School Administration website for more information.
20. My main preference is to teach at a community college. Is the MAT for me?
The MAT program is designed to prepare those seeking to teach at the high school level. If a student is not interested in teaching at the high school level, the MAT is not a good fit.