(for students who have no undergraduate/graduate professional education preparation)

This degree is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field other than professional education. The student can earn an M.A.T. degree and simultaneously qualify for teacher licensure. Students who have undergraduate equivalent courses must substitute advisor-approved courses. Students considering this program should have their transcripts audited for licensure requirements in a specific field. (If deficiencies are identified, they should be included as addenda to the planned course of study in order to assure eligibility for licensure.) Each teaching field requires 24 competency-based credit hours, including 12 upper division credits. See your advisor for practice teaching placement and additional exit requirements.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate Division Admission requirements, the student in this program must also:

1. Submit an application for admission in Watermark: TK-20 to the School of Education.
2. The completed application form must include the following:
   1. Date of Final Admission status into the Graduate Division;
   2. A completed degree plan signed with an advisor in the School of Education;
   3. Three letters of recommendation: two academic and one other, preferably from an employer;
   4. Complete a brief educational autobiography addressing your educational philosophy;
   5. Taken and passed the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests (Reading 5713, Writing 5723, Math 5733) providing a copy of test scores;
   6. Complete FBI background clearance;
   7. Completed Professional Behaviors and Dispositions Assessment.

Monitoring of Candidate Progress

The School of Education systematically monitors the progress of candidates in the M.A.T. Programs. Monitoring stage assessment data is collected once the student has been admitted to the School of Education. This includes:

1. Maintaining a 3.0 G.P.A.;
2. No more than one C allowed in the program coursework;
3. Monitoring of elements from the Teacher Education Program outcomes and InTASC standards through required monitoring assessments conducted throughout each program;
4. Professional Behaviors and Dispositions Assessment.
5. Passing score on PRAXIS Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 (5622) or Secondary Grades 7-12 (5624) and Appropriate Content tests prior to Practice Teaching.

Exit Requirements

In order to exit the M.A.T. program, receive a diploma, and/or be eligible for teacher licensure in New Mexico, students must provide the following evidence at the end of the Practice Teaching semester. These requirements represent the summative value of mastering the outcomes of the Teacher Education Program:

1. Successful completion of the Exit Teaching Event
2. Practice Teaching Summative Evaluation
3. Complete all PRAXIS Tests with passing scores
4. Complete and pass the Comprehensive Exam
5. Teacher Educational Exit Survey (EBI-TEES)
6. Professional Behaviors and Dispositions Assessment

The Master of Arts in Teaching is awarded after successful completion of the 36 credit hours listed below. Courses reflect the broad area of the state-adopted competencies. Students who pursue a master’s degree in reading education must complete the nine credit hour graduate core, and the 27 credit hours in the Contextual and Reading requirement Reading Education Core and pass the PRAXIS Teaching Reading: K-12 (5206). Required reading requirements may be used as part of the M.A.T. Specialization or M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies degrees.