The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program leads to a masters degree and initial teacher certification in Elementary Education from the state of South Carolina. The MAT program offers choices to people who decide to become professional educators after they have finished other undergraduate programs and have entered a career in another field, enabling a career change.  Candidates for the MAT complete prerequisite courses as needed and take a 15-18 month course of study that begins in Summer Session I. This degree offers a unique opportunity to join a cohort of peers in carefully sequenced full time study that features peer collaboration and a full year of Internship in local schools.


Program Goals

1. To enable a career change for professionals in fields other than education or to provide a 5 year education program for USC undergraduates with strong arts and sciences preparation and opportunities to work with children.
2. To provide a full year of field experiences.
3. To provide an integrated, sequenced program with a collaborative cohort of peers.
4. To emphasize interdisciplinary, problem-solving curriculum approaches to learning.
5. To integrate current technology applications in all areas of teaching and learning.
6. To prepare future leaders for the field of education.

Admissions Criteria and Procedures

The number of students admitted to the MAT teacher education program each year depends upon the availability of resources for maintaining quality instruction.

Student eligibility is determined according to satisfactory performance or appropriate evidence on each of the following:

Minimum 2.50 undergraduate GPA.

Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test.

3 letters of recommendation from appropriate faculty and employers.

Successful interview with faculty.

Evidence of significant experiences in working with children.

Successful completion of the Praxis I Exam unless;

(1) your undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher,

(2) your raw score on the Miller Analogies Test is 392 or higher,

(3) your GRE combined verbal and quantitative score is 900 (450 verbal/450 quantitative)
or higher.
 

To apply to the MAT Program a student can:

Visit or call the College of Education Student Affairs Office: 803-777-6732.

Attend an information session about the MAT program offered annually on the first Wednesday in September.

Take GRE or Miller Analogies Test at scheduled times (information available from Student Affairs).

For more information:  http://www.ed.sc.edu/SA/apply.html

Application deadline.

Submit all application materials to the Graduate School, no later than October 1 preceding the summer of anticipated enrollment in the MAT program. Currently, Elementary applications only are being accepted.  If interested in Early Childhood certification, please contact Brenda Richards, M.A.T. Coordinator, 777-2889, or brichards@sc.edu.

South Carolina Teacher's Loan Program

For information:  www.slc.sc.edu

Program of Studies

Prerequisites

A. Courses described below are required for all entering MAT students seeking South Carolina certification.

9 hours of English composition, grammar, and literature

3 hours of children's literature

6 hours of math

7 hours in natural sciences, both biological and physical sciences; at least one course must
involve a laboratory experience

6 hours in two areas of the fine arts (e.g., art, music, drama)

6 hours in the social sciences

3 hours in U.S. history or government

3 hours non-Western, non-European culture (e.g., history, literature, religion, or approved social science)

1-3 hours physical education (e.g., PEDU 575)

3 hours exceptionalities (e.g., EDEX 523 Introduction to Exceptional Children, PSYC 528 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities)

B. All applicants are required to demonstrate successful, significant experiences with children such as teaching, tutoring, or mentoring children, or leadership in a volunteer or professional group.

Graduate MAT Program of Courses

This is a cohort program; that is, all students begin the program at the same time and take each course in the same sequence.

Required courses:

All students enroll in Summer Session I (6 hours) and Summer Session II (6 hours)

Fall semester

15 hours of course work including beginning of year-long internship

Spring semester

15 hours of course work including intensive internship

Summer sessions

Complete any additional requirements.

May or August graduation with M.A.T. degree in Elementary Education

Click here for a Program of Study

Call or send inquiries to:

M.A.T. Degree in Elementary Education

USC College of Education - Student Affairs, Wardlaw 113

Columbia, SC 29208 (803) 777-6732
 

***POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.***

CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR