A Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree from Carson-Newman gives you the opportunity to begin a teaching career. A wide range of specialty options allows you to pursue your area of interest as you build on your previous education. Each degree option prepares you to earn your initial teaching licensure in your chosen field.
LICENSURE OPTIONS
Accreditation
The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at Carson-Newman University is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Each initial licensure area listed above was part of the most recent joint review conducted by CAEP and the Tennessee Department of Education. For information regarding the CAEP Annual Reporting Measures, click here.
36–57 credit hours, depending on degree option
Hybrid format (combination of online and on-campus classes)
Main campus
Teachers are changing the world. According to the U.S. Department of Education, high school graduation rates are at all-time highs and dropout rates are at historic lows. More students are going to college than ever before. The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 requires high academic standards for all students, preparing them for success in college and careers.
A graduate degree is an investment in your future, and we want to equip you to succeed.
Our no interest payment plans help reduce up-front costs. Enrolling in a payment plan allows you to make monthly payments on your direct charges instead of paying your full balance before classes start.
Our Office of Financial Aid is available to guide you through the many options available to graduate students at Carson-Newman.
In the Master of Arts in Teaching program, you’ll follow a prescribed series of courses for the area of specialization you choose. In addition to degree requirements, MAT degree candidates must also meet Tennessee licensure requirements.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree candidates, in addition to meeting the MAT degree requirements, must also meet licensure requirements of the state in which they are planning to teach. The Teacher Education Office will offer information concerning licensure requirements in Tennessee. Those seeking to be licensed in other states are responsible for making sure they are meeting their respective state’s requirements.
Elementary Education (K-5) 57 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching: 45 hours
II. Student Teaching Semester, 9 hours
III. Research, 3 hrs.
Thesis Option: EDUC 660, Thesis, 3 hours -or-Non-Thesis Option: EDUC 635, Integrating Research and Learning, 3 hours
NOTE: EDUC 631 Research in the Content Field is a prerequisite to EDUC 660, which will add three hours to the overall number of hours required for the MAT degree.
NOTE: All electives must be within the discipline and approved by advisor.
*Practicum
Middle Grades (6-8) Language Arts & Social Studies 51 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching: 42 hours
III. Research, 3 hours
Middle Grades (6-8) Science and Mathematics, 51 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching: 42 hours
Thesis Option: EDUC 660, Thesis, 3 hours -or- Non-Thesis Option: EDUC 635, Integrating Research and Learning, 3 hours
Licensure areas are: Biology, Business, Child and Family Studies, Chemistry, English, Family and Consumer Science, French, Government, History, Mathematics, Music-Instrumental, Music-Vocal, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
Secondary 6-12 or K-12 Education 45 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching: 30 hours DATE GRADE
*Students seeking licensure in music, art, physical education, special education, and family and consumer sciences education take methods courses offered by the respective departments.
NOTE: Those seeking licensure in English in Tennessee must take EDUC 655, K-6 Literacy Methods, 3 hours, to meet state licensure requirements.
II. Student Teaching Semester, 9 hrs.
III. Research and Post-Student Teaching, 6 hrs. (may be completed prior to or during student teaching)
EDUC 671 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies, 3 hours Thesis Option: EDUC 660, Thesis, 3 hours -or-Non-Thesis Option: EDUC 635, Integrating Research and Learning, 3 hours
Special Education, Comprehensive, K-12 43 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching, Comprehensive, 33 hours
III. Post Student Teaching, 3 hrs.
NOTE: EDUC 631 Research in the Content Field is a prerequisite to EDUC 660 which will add three hours to the overall number of hours required for the MAT degree.
Special Education, Interventionist, K-8 45 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching
III. Post Student Teaching, 3 hrs. Thesis Option: EDUC 660, Thesis, 3 hours -or- Non-Thesis Option: EDUC 635, Integrating Research and Learning, 3 hours
Special Education, Interventionist, 6-12 43 hours I. Pre-Student Teaching
How do I pay for my M.A. in Teaching? What does it co
The Master of Arts in Teaching: English as a Second Language (MAT-ESL) program is to prepare committed, caring, and competent ESL educators for service in the United States and internationally.
Students are admitted at the beginning of the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.
Carson-Newman offers a 36-semester-hour MAT-ESL program (non-licensure), initial teaching licensure in ESL and add-on endorsement in ESL programs. The MAT-ESL program blends theory and practice to prepare ESL teachers for a variety of classroom settings.
English as a Second Language without Licensure, 36 hours I. Linguistics, 12 hours
II. Pedagogy, 15 hours
III. Research
-OR-
English as a Second Language with K-12 Licensure, 36-48 hours I. Linguistics, 12 hours
II. Pedagogy, 12 hours
III. Licensure Requirement, 9 hours
IV. Research Requirement, 3 hours
TESL 600 Research in TESL, 3 hours
In addition, students seeking initial Tennessee licensure in ESL must add the following hours of licensure requirements if state competencies have not been met through previous coursework which must be approved by the Carson-Newman Department of Education
Professional Education, 12 hours EDUC 533 Educational Technology, 3 hours EDUC 558 Foundations of Education, 3 hours* EDUC 566 Issues in Human Development, 3 hours SPED 508 Survey of Persons with Exceptionalities, 3 hours*
Additional Requirements: Foreign language requirement: “Teachers will have had the experience of learning a second language equivalent to at least six semester hours of college level study. This experience may include (but is not limited to): completion of intensive language training by the Peace Corps, passing the PRAXIS II subject assessment in a second language, or a foreign language teaching credential from Tennessee of another state.” (ESL Guidelines, Tennessee Department of Education)
M.A.T. – ESL Summer Only Program Students can earn the MAT-ESL degree (non-licensure) after two summers of on-campus study plus the completion of 12-credit-hours through online enrollment at Carson-Newman (two elective courses plus TESL 584 and TESL 600).
Licensed teachers in Tennessee can complete the 21-credit-hours required for add-on endorsement in ESL in two summers of on-campus study.
Accommodation and cafeteria services are available during summer terms.
As you pursue your teaching degree, you’ll learn from faculty who are experts in their field and have also tested their knowledge through extensive teaching experience. These professors guide you with personalized attention as you prepare for your next career steps.
In addition to the common admission requirements for all C-N graduate programs, applicants to the graduate teaching programs (MAT) must meet these minimum qualifications:
Carson-Newman's passionate professors went above and beyond to help me navigate through the MAT program. Stimulating lessons like simulations and case studies helped me apply knowledge to real-life situations. As a first-year teacher, I felt more than ready on my first day of teaching 6th grade.
2022-2023 MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING TUITION AND FEES:
$450 per credit hour + $50 per credit hour technology fee
Graduate students at C-N may also be eligible for federal and state financial aid. Student loan payments may be deferred until program completion. Additionally, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is available for up to $5,000 for graduates who teach for five years in low-income schools and meet other requirements. The TEACH Grant program provides grants up to $4,000/year for students who are completing coursework towards certain high-need fields.
