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The Master of Arts in Teaching

Program Director

Dr. Yoshiaki Nakazawa

About the Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) focuses on the advancement of teaching as a career and is designed to offer current University of Dallas undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in five years, in conjunction with baccalaureate studies. The 4+1 M.A.T. offers education majors, as well as students majoring in subjects other than education, the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree with Texas teacher certification. Theology majors are prepared to teach in Catholic elementary or secondary education settings. UD students can expect to gain hands-on teaching experience and to work directly with elementary or secondary students and practitioners in the field. The M.A.T. will provide in-depth knowledge of teaching coupled with extensive experiences in the classroom as a clinical teacher under the direct supervision of university faculty and accomplished classroom teachers.

Admission Requirements

  1. A competed online application for admittance to Braniff Graduate School
  2. Statement of Purpose (a personal statement addressing why you want to be a teacher)
  3. Writing sample
  4. Two letters of recommendation (The Education Department uses a recommendation form.  Please contact the Education Department to obtain this form.)
  5. All official college transcripts sent directly to the Braniff Graduate Office from each college or university attended by the applicant (even if no credit or degree was earned). Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA, verifiable by their transcripts.

Additional Requirements

  1. A completed application for admission to the University of Dallas Educator Preparation Program. (Contact the Education Department for information regarding the educator preparation application process).
  2. An overall grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and 2.75 in pedagogical and teaching field courses, verifiable by your transcripts
  3. A current resume
  4. Demonstrated proficiency in each of the basic skills of reading, writing, math, critical thinking and oral communication in English. A student can demonstrate proficiency of basic skills by submitting current (within the last five years) passing scores on approved standardized tests or contact the Certification Officer to see if an exemption applies. Approved standardized tests and minimum passing scores are:
    Texas Success Initiative: Math minimum of 350, Reading minimum of 351, Writing minimum of 340, Essay minimum of 4

    ACT: Composite minimum of 23, Math minimum of 19, English/Reading minimum of 19

    SAT: Math minimum of 530, English/Reading/Writing minimum of 480
  5. Degree / Certification Plan (completed in conjunction with education advisor)

International Student Applicants: A foreign credential evaluator that has been recognized by the State of Texas must evaluate all foreign transcripts. In addition, all student applicants whose native language is not English or who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States must submit a score report from the TOEFL. The minimum score, effective October 22, 2017, in Speaking of 24, in Listening of 22, in Reading of 22, and in Writing of 21 (within 2 years from date of testing) is also a requirement for issuance of a probationary certificate and for a standard certificate. All scores must not be older than two years.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Teaching offers three distinct options:

  1. Master of Arts in Teaching with Texas Elementary Public School Certification
  2. Master of Arts in Teaching with Texas Secondary Public School Certification
  3. Master of Arts in Teaching with Secondary Texas Catholic Conference Certification

The M.A.T. will require a student to complete a fifth year of work, in conjunction with their undergraduate coursework. Students will successfully complete 24-30 undergraduate credit hours in EDU courses, depending on whether a student is interested in teaching at the secondary level (grades 7-12) or at the elementary level (grades EC-6).

All students seeking the M.A.T. are required to take two 3-credit hour graduate education courses, outside of their undergraduate education degree requirements, as undergraduates.

Course Requirements

M.A.T. with Elementary State Certification

M.A.T. with Secondary State Certification

M.A.T. with Secondary Texas Catholic Conference Certification