Master of Arts in Teaching, MAT

Note: The MAT program is currently only accepting applications for the edPIRATE 2023-2024 cohort. All other MAT strands are being revised and are not currently accepting applications.

The edPIRATE (Educator Pipeline In Rural Action for Teaching Equity) MAT will focus on rural educational justice. This MAT is offered through a partnership with the Rural Education Institute and four rural school districts: Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, Greene County Schools, Lenoir County Public Schools, and Washington County Schools. The partnership aims to develop effective K-8 teachers and school leaders, improve student achievement, and increase the recruitment and retention of diverse educators in our high need rural communities.

For information about the edPirate cohort please reach out to Dr. Kristen Cuthrell (1805 Charles Blvd, Building 123, Office 136; 252-328-5748​; cuthrellma@ecu.edu).

Program Coordinator: Kristen Gregory (221 Speight Building; 252-328-1134; gregorykr18@ecu.edu)

The master of arts in teaching (MAT) includes teaching areas as follows: art education, elementary education, English education, Hispanic studies, history education, middle grades education, music education, physical education, science education, and special education. The Schools of Art and Design and Music, the College of Health and Human Performance, and departments in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences offer subject matter courses and content specific methods courses, as well as supervise interns in specific teaching areas. The full-time program is designed to be completed in twelve months, beginning in the summer and finishing the following summer. Successful completion of the MAT leads to a graduate degree and initial (A) teaching licensure.

Minimum requirements for admission to the College of Education’s MAT program include the following:

1. MAT applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline as designated for the MAT teaching areas as follows:
   • Art education: BFA or BA in studio art
   • Elementary education: baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
   • English education: English, journalism
   • Hispanic studies education: undergraduate major in Spanish, Hispanic Studies, or Romance Languages with concentration in Spanish and proficiency level in Spanish: Advanced on the ACTFL scale in reading, listening, and speaking, Advanced-Plus in writing
   • History education: history, political science, geography, sociology, law, anthropology, or economics
   • Middle grades education: English (Language Arts); mathematics (Math); history, economics or geography (Social Studies); biology, geology, physics, chemistry, environmental science, life science, or earth science (Science)
   • Music education: music performance, music business, church music, music theory/composition, or music therapy
   • Physical education: exercise and sport science, kinesiology, physical education, or recreation
   • Science education: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, life science, natural science, physical science, or earth science
   • Special education: baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
2. Overall GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from an institution accredited by a regional association
3. Satisfactory entrance examination scores on either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test
4. A completed Graduate School application packet, including the written statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic competence or ability to do graduate work
5. MAT applicants are required to successfully complete an interview with the MAT coordinator and program area faculty

Upon acceptance into a teaching area, the MAT Program Coordinator serves as the student’s advisor

The master of arts degree in teaching requires 39-42 s.h. of credit as follows: