MAT Admission Requirements

Admissions Process

Content advisors will carefully review transcripts to make sure applicants have a major in one of the teaching licensure content areas, or a related field and a GPA of at least 3.0 in the content area. Applicants who want to teach and do not have an undergraduate degree in one of the areas in which we offer licensure (i.e., Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science) must meet with a content advisor prior to application. Advisors identify required coursework for admission based on the candidate's transcripts and what is taught in North Carolina high schools. See Faculty & Staff link on the MAT Secondary Education website for advisor contact information.

Applicant Coursework 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:

1. An application for graduate admission.
   • https://www.uncw.edu/gradschool/
   • Deadline and Requirement Chart
2. Official copies of transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate). An undergraduate grade average of "B" or better is required.
3. Three recommendations by individuals in relevant professional fields.
4. A letter of interest that describes their commitment to the teaching profession, recent experience working with teenagers, and their philosophy of teaching and learning.

Final selection may include an interview with a commitee of Watson College of Education faculty and public school personnel may be required. 

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Applicants, please be aware: There are two applicant deadlines for the MAT program on campus. 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.
NOTE: Licensure requirements changes are adjusted to accommodate new mandated competencies and guidelines.

Praxis II Testing Requirements

Candidates need passing scores on the Praxis II exams to be recommended for a continuing teaching certification. We recommend applicants take the Licensure Area Content tests prior to enrollment in the MAT program (see https://www.uncw.edu/ed/advising/praxis). Registration information, test administration dates, and test locations are available at www.ets.org/praxis/
Test codes beginning with "5" indicate computer delivery tests. All tests scored on a 100-200 point scale.

Table 1 -Testing Requirements

To ensure that candidates for the M.A.T. degree are aware of all of the expectations for high school teachers, applicants are advised to have recent experiences in secondary education or related settings. Appropriate experiences may include substitute teaching, 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.

An interview with a committee of Watson College of Education faculty and public school personnel may be required.

Initial Contact Information:
Dr. Robert Smith
smithrw@uncw.edu
910-262-4762

UNCW - The Graduate School
910-962-4117