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M.A.T. FAQ – Master of Arts in Teaching

What is the M.A.T. Program?

The M.A.T. is a Master of Arts in Teaching designed for individuals who wish to teach in the elementary or secondary school system.

How long is the M.A.T. program and when does it begin?

Students may begin the M.A.T. program in either summer or fall.

The typical program length is approximately two years. However, it may be completed between 12 and 18 months depending on the program:

  • K6 and content-specific programs: accelerated 12 – month track option available
  • K6/ESL and content-specific/ESL: accelerated 18 – month track option available
  • K6/TSD and contentspecific/TSD: accelerated 18 – month track option available
What instructional endorsement areas are available?
  • Elementary endorsement (K6)
  • Subject-specific endorsement 7-12 (i.e., English, math, science, social studies)
  • Subject-specific endorsement K-12 (i.e., art, health and physical education, or music)
  • Elementary endorsement (K6) with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement
  • Subject specific endorsement with Teacher of Students with Disabilities
  • Elementary endorsement (K6) with English as a Second Language Endorsement
  • Subject specific endorsement with English as a Second Language Endorsement
What is an endorsement?

“Endorsement” means the specific area in which a certificate holder is authorized to serve. Endorsement can also be referred to “certification”, “license”, or “credential”, but the New Jersey Department of Education refers to it as endorsement.

Can I work while completing the program?

Successful candidates will need to make a full-time commitment to the program. Significant coursework and fieldwork is required each semester.

What are the admission requirements for the M.A.T.?

The requirements are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better, appropriate content coursework for the area of endorsement, a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, SAT or ACT.  

Please visit https://www.ets.org/praxis/nj for guidance on the NJ Praxis tests and passing scores. Any other state requirements must be completed prior to application. Prior to student teaching, the appropriate Praxis II test must be successfully completed.

I took a Praxis II test 10 years ago, does it still count?

For a complete list of the current New Jersey Department of Education’s test requirements, go to www.ets.org/praxis.

If I have a “Certificate of Eligibility” will I automatically be accepted into the M.A.T.?

Not necessarily. The School of Education requires that each student have the appropriate content coursework in the endorsement area and CGPA.

Should I seek a substitute teaching license?

It is strongly recommended.

What if I want to teach only preschool?

For potential students interested in teaching only preschool, please contact Dr. Kerry Rizzuto (krizzuto@monmouth.edu) about the P-3 M.Ed. program.

If my endorsement is Elementary K6, what will I be authorized to teach?

The elementary (generalist) school teacher is authorized to teach in grades kindergarten through six in all public schools.

What is appropriate coursework for the elementary endorsement?

A liberal arts, science, dual content, or interdisciplinary academic major or a minimum of 60 semester hour credits in liberal arts and/or science within the B.A./B.S. degree.

I have a degree in: psychology, communications, or business, am I eligible for the MAT elementary program?

You must have a B.A. /B.S. degree from an accredited institution, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, SAT or ACT and appropriate content courses completed for the elementary endorsement prior to application. Please visit https://www.ets.org/praxis/nj for guidance on the NJ Praxis tests and passing scores. Prior to student teaching, the appropriate Praxis II test must be successfully completed.

How will I know if I have the content coursework for endorsement?

A transcript review can be conducted to determine appropriate coursework by contacting the Graduate Admissions Office.

Are there specific courses recommended for elementary endorsement?

A minimum of 6 credits in college level mathematics, 7-8 credits of science to include 4 credits in lab science, 9 credits in literature and composition, and 9 credits in history, 3 credits in American National Government, and 3 credits in human/cultural geography are recommended for elementary school content coursework.

What is appropriate coursework for content-specific endorsement in grades 7-12?

At least 30 credits in a comprehensive cohesive sequence or a major in the subject area.

What does “30 credits in a coherent sequence” mean?

If you wish to pursue content-specific endorsement you must possess a minimum of 30 credits in the content area you wish to be certified in. For example, if you are interested in math endorsement, you will need 30 credits in mathematics with at least 12 credits completed at the 300-400 level.

How will I know if I have the content coursework for endorsement?

A transcript review will be conducted to determine appropriate coursework.

What if I want to teach social studies?

Content endorsement in social studies requires the following: at least 15 credits in history, 3 credits in economics, 3 credits in geography, and 12 credits in the social sciences or history.

What is included in the social sciences?

Anthropology, geography, sociology, psychology, political science, or philosophy.

What if I want to teach Physical Science?

Content endorsement in physical science requires 30 credits in chemistry, 15 credits in physics, and 8 credits in mathematics.

What if I want to teach Physical Education?

The M.A.T. content-specific Health Studies and Physical Education program requires 30 credits in a coherent sequence in health and 15 credits in physical education or 30 credits in physical education and 15 credits in health studies, and 6 credits of study in individual, dual, and team sports.

If my content is English, social studies (history, economics, or social sciences), math, or science (biology, chemistry, physical science, or physics), what grade levels can I teach?

Content-specific endorsements authorize the holder to teacher in grades 5-8 in a departmentalized setting and/or grades 7-12.

If my content is in Art, Health and Physical Education, or Music what grades can I teach?

The teacher of these subject areas is considered the content “specialist” and is trained to teach all grade levels in the specific content area.

What if I only want to teach special education?

Special Education endorsement, known as the Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (TSD), requires the completion of an instructional endorsement along with the coursework of the TSD endorsement.

What if I want to teach English as a Second Language (ESL)?

The ESL endorsement requires the completion of an instructional endorsement along with the ESL endorsement. There is no Praxis II requirement, however, you must provide proficiency certificates for the English Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the English Writing Proficiency Test (WPT).

How long is clinical practice (student teaching)?

Student teaching is an unpaid, full-time, full-semester field experience, which occurs during a fall or spring semester.

Do I find my own placement for student teaching?

The Office of Student Teaching, Field Placements, and School Partnerships will find your placement, based on your endorsement area.

Will it be close to where I live?

Every effort will be made to find you an appropriate placement.