Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Become an effective and influential educator with Christian Brothers University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program. Our curriculum blends graduate-level education courses with in-classroom experiences, allowing you to earn your MAT degree and initial teaching license simultaneously.
Master of Arts in Teaching Program Highlights
About the Master of Arts in Teaching Program
At CBU, we offer a unique approach to teacher preparation through the MAT degree program. Designed for those without a teaching license, this program enables you to fast-track your education so you can save time and money by earning both a master’s degree and licensure in a year and a half.
The Master of Arts in Teaching program caters to a wide range of educational interests and career goals. Whether you aspire to teach in early childhood or elementary settings or specialize in subjects at the middle and high school levels, we have a track available—you can even prepare for a career in special education.
MAT Degree Program Highlights
- 8-month completion time
- Accelerated evening format for working professionals
- Classes that meet once per week (5:45-9:45 p.m.) for eight weeks
- Summer classes that meet twice per week (5:00-9:00 p.m.) for four weeks
Accreditation
Christian Brothers University is approved by the State Department of Education of Tennessee as a Teacher Training Institution and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CBU is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association and the Tennessee Association of Colleges.
Careers in Education
With a MAT degree, you can teach in public, private, and charter schools at various grade levels, depending on your licensure track, from early childhood to secondary education. In addition to classroom teaching, specializations in areas like special education and visual arts can lead to school-wide opportunities.
A graduate-level degree can also position you for leadership roles such as department chair, curriculum specialist, or instructional coordinator, and often increase your earning potential.
What You’ll Study
With a MAT degree, you can teach in public, private, and charter schools at various grade levels, depending on your licensure track, from early childhood to secondary education. In addition to classroom teaching, specializations in areas like special education and visual arts can lead to school-wide opportunities.
A graduate-level degree can also position you for leadership roles such as department chair, curriculum specialist, or instructional coordinator, and often increase your earning potential.
Review MAT Degree RequirementsLicensure Requirements
In order to graduate and earn your teaching license, you must fulfill these state and national requirements:
- Complete graduate coursework with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Enroll in additional classes, if needed, to address any undergraduate deficiency in either general education or major-specific courses.
- Participate in field experiences.
- Take internal and external assessments, including the Praxis II tests and edTPA.
Two Program Options
General Licensure Track
The general licensure track provides certification to teach all core subjects within the following grade levels:
- Early Childhood Education – PreK-3
- Elementary Education – K-5
- Special Education Interventionist – K-8/6-12
Subject-Specific Track
If you want to teach a certain subject at a grade level that interests you, the subject-specific track offers that pathway. To pursue this option, you need either an undergraduate degree in the subject or to pass the Praxis II Content Knowledge exam before admission. You can also seek licensure in middle grades 6-8 and then add your preferred 6-12 content area.
Depending on your concentration, this track provides certification in:
- Middle Grades – English/Language Arts 6-8
- Middle Grades – Mathematics 6-8
- Middle Grades – Science 6-8
- Middle Grades – Social Studies 6-8
- Biology 6-12
- Chemistry 6-12
- English 6-12
- History – 6-12
- Mathematics 6-12
- Physics – 6-12
- Visual Arts – K-12
MAT Alternative Licensure Option
Do you already have a job offer as a teacher in a school that partners with Christian Brothers University? The MAT alternative licensure option allows you to expedite getting your teaching license through a combination of courses and in-classroom teaching observations. Learn more about the transitional license.
Note: If you need a transitional license, you must pass the Praxis II Content Knowledge test before admission to the program.
Program Expectations
As a student in the MAT alternative licensure program, you will:
- Join a cohort program. You must keep pace with the cohort to maintain eligibility.
- Complete a supervised field experience throughout the entire program rather than during one culminating experience.
- Take a series of practical courses in addition to common courses and concentration requirements. These courses have zero credit, but each has a $650 fee.
Note: You may select courses for additional endorsements from the same set of classes offered in the MAT initial licensure program.
How to Apply
As you review admission requirements and application instructions, keep in mind that the Master of Arts in Teaching program only admits individuals who wish to earn an initial teaching license and a graduate degree at the same time.
Note: Candidates for initial teaching licensure face additional admission requirements due to state licensure standards. Tennessee requires that all individuals seeking initial teaching licensure must provide evidence of a strong general education and mastery of a major in the arts or sciences earned at the undergraduate level.
Admission Requirements
For eligibility to CBU’s MAT degree program, you meet the following requirements:
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
- Pass content knowledge tests and Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators within the first 12 hours of coursework.
Submit Your Application
Before you apply, follow our instructions for completing a background check and fingerprinting. You should also review our two routes to licensure.
Then, apply through the MAT online application. If you are interested in the Post-Baccalaureate TEP, Licensure-Only program, please select the appropriate option on your application.
You must provide the following materials to complete your MAT application:
- Official copy of transcripts from each college or university you previously attended.
- Email addresses of individuals to contact regarding letters of recommendation. Please select two of the following:
- Spiritual mentor
- Professor or faculty member
- Employer or supervisor (work or volunteer experience)
- Peer (roommate or friend, but not a family member)
Related Programs
Explore more graduate education programs at CBU:
Meet the Faculty
Begin Your Teaching Journey
Make a lasting impact on students’ lives by gaining the credentials and practical experience you need to lead a classroom. Start your graduate application for Christian Brothers University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program.
