M.A.T. Graduate Program Director: Suzanne M. Nesmith

One graduate degree program is offered through the School of Education: Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.).

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a School-wide residential program offering teacher certification. Based on Baylor’s national award-winning teacher-education model, the M.A.T. provides thorough preparation through a program rich in faculty-guided field-based experiences.

Baylor undergraduates may pursue the M.A.T. as a joint degree program, with Baylor seniors taking up to 12 hours of graduate-level work as part of their undergraduate degree program, if approved by their home department. Students much first be admitted to the Graduate School and the M.A.T. program. Upon completion of the M.A.T., students will receive the bachelor’s degree and M.A.T. simultaneously. If taking full advantage of the option, students could graduate within 12 months of their originally scheduled baccalaureate graduation. The M.A.T. is also available to graduates of Baylor and other universities as a stand-alone post-baccalaureate master’s program offering initial and additional teacher certification.

Admission

To be fully admitted to the program, applicants must be accepted both by the Baylor Graduate School and the School of Education as an M.A.T. candidate. A passing score on the diagnostic TExES content exam (state certification exam) is also required for full admission as a candidate in the School of Education M.A.T. Educator Preparation Program.

Admission to the program is competitive and based on the following criteria:

1. Completed applications (Graduate School and School of Education)
2. Overall GPA of 2.75
3. Content Area GPA of 2.75
4. Completed content-specific coursework for middle and secondary education certifications
   1. 24 hours in content field with at least 12 of these hours at the upper level (junior or senior level coursework)
5. Interview
6. Writing sample (personal statement)
7. Passing score on diagnostic TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) content exam in teaching area
   1. For those seeking middle and secondary education certification, you must complete and earn a passing score on the diagnostic exam in your designated teaching area prior to admission to the M.A.T. program.
   2. For those seeking EC-6 Elementary certification, Twice Exceptionalities certification, or All Level Special Education certification, you must complete the diagnostic exam for all 5 core subject exams and earn a passing score on at least 3 of the 5 exams, with one of the passing scores being on the mathematics core subject exam.  Additionally, all scores will be examined to determine the need for additional review, preparation, and retesting prior to admission to the M.A.T. program.

Certificate and Endorsement Programs

Certification and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree may be pursued concurrently.

Certification is through the State Board for Educator Certification and the awarding of a graduate degree from Baylor University does not mean the individual has been certified. For further information on certification, please contact the School of Education or the State Board for Educator Certification.

Certificate Options

• Twice Exceptionalities (All-Level Special Education and Gifted-Talented Supplemental certifications)
• Special Education (All-Level Special Education certification)
• Elementary (EC-6) Education (Early Childhood – Grade 6 General Education certification)
• Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8 content-specific certification)
• Secondary Education (Grades 7-12 content-specific certification / 6-12 for physical science certification)

Content Areas (Middle and Secondary Education)

• Art
• Business and Finance
• English (English Language Arts and Reading)
• French
• History
• Life Science
• Mathematics
• Physical Science
• Physics/Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Spanish