Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a 36-hour, nonthesis graduate degree program. With programs designed for both new teachers and experienced teachers, we provide opportunities for students holding bachelor’s degrees who are interested in pursuing graduate study in education.

Our dedicated faculty offers teachers an exceptional amount of personal contact, coaching, support and supervision through this rigorous academic program. Additionally, program support continues with an internship experience that hones strong analysis of student work, classroom management, and parent-teacher relationships, and an alumni network for collaboration and support.

MAT for New Teachers

Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching degree must complete:

• A minimum of 36 credit hours at the 500-level or above to satisfy degree requirements.   
• All courses with a grade of B- (2.67 grade points) or better to receive credit.  

The MAT is a nonthesis degree program for students who want to qualify for secondary school teaching following a bachelor's degree. Most candidates entering the program have had no professional education courses. By completing the program, candidates fulfill all requirements for a Texas Standard Teaching Certificate for grades 7–12. The specific requirements for the Texas Standard Teaching Certificate are listed below.

• Begin two-semesters of work in assigned school with first semester curriculum development and theory & methodscourses and a second semester full-day practicum with a cooperating teacher (EDUC 521, EDUC 560-566, and EDUC567).  
• Complete a two-semester supervised teaching internship by acquiring and fulfilling all professional responsibilities of a teaching position in a local accredited secondary school and completing a seminar course (EDUC 540).
• Complete 75 hours of field-based experience in local secondary schools, in conjunction with satisfactory results on background check with participating school districts.
• Make grades of B- or better in all teaching field and education courses.
• Pass appropriate TExES exams.  
• Apply for Texas State certification when all requirements are completed.

The cooperating school districts pay a regular salary for internship teaching.

CORE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the following 11 courses (36 credit hours) as listed below to satisfy the MAT degree requirements. At the discretion of the associate dean and academic advisor, some students may require additional courses to address deficiencies prior to seeking Texas State teacher certification.    

• EDUC 505 Educational Psychology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 516 Assessment [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 519 Teaching and Learning with Inquiry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 520 Teaching Diverse Learners [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 521 Curriculum Development [ 3 credit hours ]
• HIST 521 Race, Education, and Society in the Urban South [ 3 credit hours ]
      or EDUC 504 Race, Class, Gender in Education [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 522 Literacy Across the Curriculum [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 560-566 Content Specific Theory and Methods [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 567 Practicum for Preservice Teachers [ 6 credit hours ]
• EDUC 540 Seminar for First Year Teachers [ Internship I and II, 6 credit hours total, two consecutive semesters ]

Rice undergraduate students can pursue both their undergraduate and graduate degrees concurrently, completing the MAT with generally one additional year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree.  Students seeking additional information about the 5-year MAT program are encouraged to meet with an advisor in Teacher Education.

MAT for Experienced Teachers

Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree for Experienced Teachers must complete:

• A minimum of 36 credit hours at the 500-level or above to satisfy degree requirements.   
• All courses with a grade of B- or better to receive credit.  

The MAT degree program is offered for experienced teachers that have a minimum of two years experience teaching.

CORE COURSE REQUIREMENTS 
Students must complete the following 8 courses (24 credit hours) as listed below to satisfy the MAT degree requirements for experienced teachers.

• EDUC 516 Assessment [ 3 credit hours ]   
• EDUC 519 Teaching and Learning with Inquiry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 520 Teaching Diverse Learners [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 522 Literacy Across the Curriculum [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EDUC 590 Teachers as Leaders [ 3 credit hours ]
• HIST 521 Race, Education, and Society in the Urban South [ 3 credit hours ]
      or EDUC 504 Race, Class, and Gender in Education [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 595 Capstone [ Capstone I and II, 6 credit hours, two semesters total ]

ELECTIVES
To fulfill the remaining requirements for the MAT Degree for Experienced Teachers, students must complete a total of 4 additional courses (12 credit hours) from Professional Education courses or Academic Content Specialization. These courses can be found below:

• EDUC 501 Philosophical, Historical, and Social Foundations of Education [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 502 Contemporary Issues in Education [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 505 Educational Psychology [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 510 Introduction to Special Education [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 515 Adolescent Development [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 521 Curriculum Development [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 525 Adolescent Literature [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 530 The American High School [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 535 Urban Education Issues, Policy, and Practice [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 545 Educational Technologies and Digital Learning [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 550 Education Policy: From Legislatures to Classrooms [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 560-566 Theory and Methods (Content Specialization Courses) [ 3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 570 Field-Based Studies in Teaching and Learning [ 1-3 credit hours ]
• EDUC 591 Independent Study and Research [ 1-3 credit hours ]   

MAT for New Teachers Admissions

The Master of Arts in Teaching is a 36-hour degree program that includes professional education courses extensive field experiences. The program is designed for students holding bachelor’s degrees who are interested in pursuing graduate study in education while preparing for teacher certification at the secondary level.

Application forms may be obtained through the Rice University Online Application System

In support of the application, candidates must have an undergraduate degree and submit:

• Official transcripts of previous university studies which reflect a minimum of 21 hours of content area courses in your selected teaching field
• Four letters of reference accompanied by the forms provided in the application packet (minimum of two references must be academic)
• Overall 3.0 GPA or higher
• Minimum 2.5 GPA in content area
• Demonstrated content knowledge
  • 24 credit hours in content area, or
  • Minimum 12 credit hours in content area (15 for math and science) and Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT)
• Graduate Record Examination score (no more than 5 years old, scores must be at or above the 70th percentile)
• Passing scores on (or documented exemption from) the THEA test
• $85.00 application fee

Interview – In addition to the above mentioned criteria, applicants will be required to participate in an interview conducted by members of the program faculty and staff.

MAT for Experienced Teachers Admissions

Experienced teachers who want to expand their knowledge of and role as an educational leader should apply. Whether as a teacher leader in the classroom, on a campus, in a district or beyond, we seek candidates committed to the pursuit, acquisition and implementation of curricular, pedagogical, political and organizational skills that offer a broader perspective. In so doing, the candidate is no longer just an active listener, but a leading voice in the educational conversation

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA or higher, and a minimum of two years of teaching experience by the semester of matriculation.
Application forms may be obtained through the Rice University Online Application System.

In support of the application, candidates must have an undergraduate degree and submit:

• Official transcripts of previous university studies
• Three letters of reference accompanied by the forms provided in the application packet (Two references must be from a supervisor. An academic reference is strongly preferred.)
• Statement of intent
• Graduate Record Examination score (no more than 5 years old, scores must be at or above the 70th percentile)
• $85.00 application fee

Interview –Applicants will be interviewed by members of the program faculty and staff.

Observation –A member of the program faculty will also conduct a classroom observation of the applicant.