Master of Arts in Teaching

To enroll in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, students must first enroll in an undergraduate teacher program (either grades PreK to 4 or 7 to 12) during their first or second year of college.

Students can apply for the MAT program after finishing four or six required courses (depending on the education program). The application process follows the same criteria as the undergraduate program. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approves Muhlenberg College to certify teachers, so the admission criteria are strict. 

Qualifications for the MAT program include:

• 3.0 Cumulative GPA
• Completed all prerequisite coursework (see table below)
• Demonstrated proficiency in basic skills (reading, writing and mathematics) either through SAT scores or passing scores on the Praxis I (PPST) exam, per Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements
• Satisfactory fieldwork portfolio 

If students meet the qualifications for the undergraduate teaching program, they are also eligible for the MAT program. The MAT program is a good choice for students who want to earn a Master of Arts and become certified teachers.

Admission to 4+1 Track

Prerequisite Courses for Matriculation into the MAT Program

For adult students pursuing certification through Muhlenberg College Graduate and Continuing Education (GCE), the intake and advising will differ from undergraduate students, who work directly with the MAT program coordinator. Upon expressing interest, GCE students will meet with the Director of Teacher Certification for intake into the teacher education program.

This process involves these steps: 

• Transcript evaluation
• Advising meeting
• Creation of an individual program of studies leading to certification

GCE students will take the necessary courses according to the transcript evaluation conducted by the Director of Teacher Certification and, once completed, will be able to apply for the MAT program following the same process as undergraduate students. GCE students can pursue the MAT program or the certification-only option like undergraduate students. 

After GCE students have completed the prerequisite coursework, they will apply to the MAT program, and the MAT program coordinator will evaluate their application and determine admission to the program. At this time, the Director of Teacher Certification will continue to serve as the advisor for all GCE students enrolled in teacher education programs (either post-baccalaureate or MAT), consistent with current practices.

• EDU 101 History and Politics (SL)
• EDU 104 Educational Psychology: Child Development
• EDU 191 Arts in Education (AR)
• EDU 201 Introduction to Special Education
• EDU 202 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• EDU 204 Integrated Curriculum and Instruction for Young Learners
• EDU 212 Inclusive Education for Emergent Bilinguals (IL, DE)

Graduate courses:

• Interpreting Educational Research for Evidence-Based Practice
• Language and Literacy Development
• Integrated Literacy and Social Studies
• Methods in Elementary Mathematics Education
• Methods in Elementary Science Education
• Graduate Elective (1)
• Graduate Student Teaching I & II
• Graduate Seminar in Assessment & Evaluation
• Graduate Seminar in Professional Studies

• EDU 101 History and Politics (SL)
• EDU 106 Educational Psychology: Child Development
• EDU 201 Introduction to Special Education
• EDU 206 Integrated Curriculum and Instruction for Adolescent Learners
• EDU 212 Inclusive Education for Emergent Bilinguals (IL, DE)

 Graduate courses:

• Interpreting Educational Research for Evidence-Based Practice

Select one (1):

• Methods in Second Language Education K-12
• Methods in Secondary Social Studies Education
• Methods in Secondary English Education
• Methods in Secondary Science Education
• Methods in Secondary Mathematics Education

AND

• Advanced Methods Seminar
• Graduate Elective (3)
• Graduate Student Teaching I & II
• Graduate Seminar in Assessment & Evaluation
• Graduate Seminar in Professional Studies 

The sample pathways do not include courses needed to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The sample pathways do not include courses needed to complete a bachelor’s degree.
The sample pathways do not include content courses for 4 to 8 and 7 to 12 programs (e.g., biology courses for Biology 7 to 12 certificate).