Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed to provide initial teaching licensure at the following levels: Early Childhood (Pre-K - 3), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (6-8), Secondary (6-12), Special Education Interventionist (Pre-K-8 or 6-12), Spanish, French, German (K-12) and Visual Arts (K-12). The MAT program admits only those individuals who wish to earn an initial teaching license and a graduate degree simultaneously.

Candidates for both degree and initial teaching licensure face additional requirements because of licensure. Tennessee requires that all individuals seeking initial teaching licensure must provide evidence of a strong general education and mastery of a major in the arts or sciences earned at the undergraduate level. State and national standards for initial teaching licensure may mandate that an individual complete undergraduate deficiencies in either general education or a major area in the arts or sciences in addition to required graduate credit hours.

Licensure requirements include the successful completion of undergraduate or other content deficiencies, field experiences, and internal and external assessments, including the Praxis II tests. Completion of coursework for the degree must be complemented by successful completion of all licensure requirements before CBU recommends for the license. Praxis II tests vary with the licensure track, but students must meet the milestones of passing content knowledge test for each licensure track as well as the PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) test that is appropriate to the age group of each licensure track before a student is allowed to Student Teach or Intern Teach. Student and Intern Teaching must be taken in the final semester; no classes should be taken after the student/intern teaching semester.

CANDIDATE MUST NOTIFY FACULTY IF OBTAINING A TEACHING POSITION WHICH AFFECTS THE STUDENT TEACHING SEMESTER.