The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program prepares students for successful careers in education through high quality and accessible education. The goal of the program is to prepare teachers to make effective decisions in diverse classrooms. To accomplish this goal, emphasis is placed on producing master teachers who are self-reflective, lifelong learners who have an understanding of child development, content, and pedagogy. MAT licensure candidates must apply theory, research, classroom experience, and professional judgment to lead others in collaborative planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective instruction for students.
Students may choose from one of three areas of concentration: elementary education, special education, or special education with alternative licensure. Both areas of emphasis (elementary and special education) provide a comprehensive background in the discipline, along with all of the coursework and clinical experience required for state licensure.
MAT Candidate Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching must provide evidence of a baccalaureate degree in a non-teaching field. Undergraduate transcripts from accredited institutions will be evaluated by an MAT advisor to determine whether appropriate, prerequisite coursework has been completed for the licensure being sought. Graduate courses taken at other accredited institutions in the last five years must be evaluated and approved by the graduate coordinator. A maximum of 9 semester hours of transfer credit (with grades of “B” or better) may be applied toward the MAT degree.
MAT licensure candidates will be expected to complete all prerequisite classes to be admitted to the MAT graduate classes. MSU Denver students may complete these requirements as part of their undergraduate program with a minor in education. The MAT program includes core classes and specified coursework in each licensure area.
Admission to the MAT Program
To obtain formal admission to the MAT program, candidates must submit the following application materials:
- Official transcript indicating completion of a degree (with a minimum GPA of 3.0) from an accredited institution. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 may be admitted conditionally for two semesters if the student has passed the elementary education content test. The student would then have two semesters to secure a 3.0 GPA for coursework taken during that time at MSU Denver.
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Foreign transcripts must also have an official English translation done by a certified translator (if applicable), and a professional course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree. World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Education Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) are recommended professional transcript evaluation service providers.
- Vita or resume, which includes work experience.
- One-to-two page, typed personal statement in support of application, explaining the decision to become an educator.
- Recommendation form/comments from a previous major or education faculty member or a current supervisor.
- Completed fingerprint card and processing fee, available though the Teacher Application Center at MSU Denver.
Additional Application Requirements for International Applicants
International students must:
- complete all of the same requirements as domestic students, as well as a separate application form, which may be found on the Office of Admissions website, www.msudenver.edu/admissions/apply/international;
- have achieved a minimum TOEFL score of 540 (or a score of 76 on the Internet version of the TOEFEL);
- submit the required immigration documents for issuance of an I-20.
Other Considerations
- Experience with children and youth is strongly recommended.
- An interview with program faculty may be required.
Conditional Admission
Students receiving conditional admission have additional requirements to fulfill, such as meeting the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Students will be notified of their conditional admission and receive a “Graduate Admission and Enrollment Check Sheet” describing the specific terms of their conditional admission. The “Graduate Admission and Enrollment Check Sheet” shall be signed by the student and returned to the Graduate Data Coordinator. Students will need to meet admission conditions within the first 6 credit hours or they will not be allowed to enroll in subsequent semesters.
Non-degree Admission Requirements
Before applying for non-degree admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, please read the information below to ensure that you are qualified to apply. Please contact the teacher education graduate program office at 303-556-6228 if you have questions concerning non-degree admission.
Enrollment as a non-degree seeking student is limited to the following categories:
- Individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution and whose cumulative undergraduate GPA, or whose GPA from the last 60 hours completed, is 3.0 or higher will be considered on a space available basis.
- Individuals who are currently admitted to a graduate program at another regionally accredited institution who wish to take a limited number of classes at Metropolitan State University of Denver will be considered on a space available basis.
Applicants in the above categories must submit the following:
- Graduate application and application fee (check non-degree option),
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended,
- Current detailed resume,
- For category 2 above, proof of admission to a graduate program
Important Information for Non-Degree Seeking Students
- Graduate tuition applies for all graduate courses taken as a non-degree student. Information about tuition rates and payment deadlines is available on the Office of the Bursar’s website, www.msudenver.edu/bursar.
- Students admitted as non-degree seeking are not eligible for graduate level financial aid.
- Students are held responsible, both academically and financially, for any class in which they enroll. Failure to withdraw from any class, regardless of attendance, results in a grade of “F”. Students remain liable for tuition and fees.
- All grading policies for degree-seeking students also apply to non-degree seeking students.
- Students who were previously enrolled in, or who have previously been denied admission to, the graduate degree program in the MAT at MSU Denver are not eligible for non-degree status.
- Non-degree seeking students are limited to taking a maximum of 9 credit hours in total. Registration holds will be placed on non-degree seeking students’ accounts each term to facilitate monitoring of total credit hours.
- Non-degree seeking students can change their status by fully complying with degree-seeking admission requirements and submitting another application and fee.
Non-Degree Enrollment Procedures
- The MAT coordinator determines an applicant’s eligibility to take graduate courses once all application materials have been received. Incomplete or late applications are not processed.
- Eligible applicants are admitted to a course on a space available basis only as long as any prerequisites have been met or with permission of the graduate coordinator and/or the instructor. Priority is given to degree-seeking students of the MAT program.
Licensure Requirement
Licensure candidates must provide proof of a passing score on the PLACE or Praxis II Elementary Education Content Area Exam.
Standards for Continuing in the MAT Program
Licensure candidates must maintain the following standards to remain in the MAT program:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA each semester by obtaining a grade of “B” or better in all coursework. No more than two grades of “C” will be counted toward degree requirements. No grade lower than “C” counts toward degree requirements. All grade records remain on the master’s transcript and count toward the GPA. A student who has received two grades of “C” will be placed on probation and required to meet with an advisor on a regular basis. A student who receives a third grade of “C” will be dismissed from the program.
- Complete student teaching.
Eligibility for Student Teaching
MAT candidates begin the student teaching application process by completing the Student Teaching Meeting Part I (online) and attending the Student Teaching Meetings Parts II and III (in person). The application deadline is the third Friday of September (for spring semester assignments) and the third Friday of February (for fall semester assignments).
To be eligible to student teach, licensure candidates must complete the following requirements:
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all MAT coursework
- Successfully complete all courses required for the MAT licensure
For additional information, please visit MSU Denver’s teacher education website, www.msudenver.edu/ted.
