Melissa Hess, Ed.D.., Graduate Program Director
Purpose
NKU’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program prepares bachelor’s degree holders who are already knowledgeable in their content areas into outstanding middle grades and secondary educators. Teacher candidates seek certification in the following areas:
| Middle Grades 5-9 |
Secondary Grades 8-12 |
Grades P-12 |
| English and Communications |
Biological Sciences |
French |
| Mathematics |
Chemistry |
German |
| Integrated Science |
Earth/Space Science |
Spanish |
| Social Studies |
English |
Physical Education/Health |
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Mathematics |
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Physics |
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Social Studies |
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Note: The MAT program does not provide certification in Elementary Education.
Combining thoughtful placements, knowledgeable cooperating teachers, and courses taught by expert faculty, our MAT program develops effective teachers with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to contribute to their students’ academic and personal development. Students move through the program in cohorts. We find that the cohort is a tremendous source of learning and professional support for our teacher candidates.
We offer a four-semester school-embedded MAT option in which courses and field work are housed at a local school. The school-embedded program consists primarily of daytime courses and helps prepare effective, culturally-responsive educators. Candidates enroll in the summer semester and continue through the following fall, spring, and summer semesters. Completion of the school-embedded program requires completion of a 16-week supervised teaching experience in the spring (January-May) semester. This is a non-paid teaching experience and requires full-day attendance 5 days a week at the assigned school, preparing lesson plans, grading student work, and participating in the school community. Teacher candidates must understand it would be very difficult to be employed full time during this semester.
We also offer an online option consisting of courses offered in 7-week semesters. The online program prepares teachers for excellence across a range of settings. Candidates in the online program are eligible for employment in a Kentucky school under a Temporary Provisional Certificate (through Kentucky’s Option 6 alternative certification pathway). Candidates complete the online program through one of two paths: A (for candidates doing supervised student teaching) and B (for candidates employed through the Option 6 pathway). Path A is accomplished through completion of a 16-week supervised teaching experience. This is a non-paid teaching experience and requires full-day attendance 5 days a week at the assigned school, preparing lesson plans, grading student work, and participating in the school community. Teacher candidates must understand it would be very difficult to be employed full time during this semester. Completion of Path B is through successfully completing the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP) through the Option 6 pathway for students who have secured employment in a Kentucky school.
Students interested in applying to the MAT program are strongly recommended to schedule a pre-advising appointment with the Program Director to ensure pre-requisite courses for content-area certification have been taken prior to admission.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Individuals applying must meet all requirements for admission to graduate study at Northern Kentucky University as defined by the Graduate Catalog at the time of application in addition to the criteria below:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with the grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 30 semester hours of coursework.
- Successful completion of the Praxis CASE (Core Academic Skills for Educators) test or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with minimum passing scores as follows:
- Praxis CASE: 156 in Reading, 150 in Mathematics, 162 in Writing
- GRE: 150 in Verbal Reasoning, 143 in Quantitative Reasoning, 4.0 in Analytical Writing
- Official notification of appropriate Praxis II content exam(s) in the area in which the candidate is seeking certification with the minimum score required by the state of Kentucky. To register, go to: http://www.ets.org and look for Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas under Kentucky state requirements.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Potential students may apply to the MAT program by submitting:
- An online application for admission and application fee to the Office of Graduate Education.
- Official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework sent directly from all institutions of higher education previously attended. If official transcripts do not reflect all necessary pre-requisite courses for content-area certification, the application may be denied.
- Current resume that includes work experience and prior education. Please include experience working with children other than in a family setting, whether through work or volunteerism, if applicable.
- A Statement of Professional Purpose which states the applicant’s reasons for pursuing teacher certification at this point in their life, as well as in the chosen content area.
- A criminal and federal background check. We recommend using this service: https://portal.castlebranch.com/nq45
- Official notification of appropriate Praxis II content exam(s) in the area in which the candidate is seeking certification with the minimum score required by the state of Kentucky.
- Successful completion of the Praxis CASE (Core Academic Skills for Educators) test or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with minimum passing scores as written above.
- Successfully complete an interview* with the MAT Admissions Committee to ensure the potential candidate’s qualifications, disposition, and character uphold the ethical standards of the profession and are a good match for working with P-12 students.
* After a thorough review of application materials, the MAT Admissions Committee will select candidates to be interviewed. The committee will review all available data to assess the fit and overall potential of the candidate for success in the program before making a final offer of admission.
♦ Indicates prerequisite.
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