Online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Degree Programs
Elementary and secondary school teaching requires training in educational theory and pedagogy, classroom management, student assessment, and curriculum design, as well as subject matter expertise. In addition to didactic coursework in the principles and practices of classroom learning and instruction, teacher training involves supervised experiential learning on site in elementary and secondary schools, where teachers in training apply what they are learning in real-world settings. While not all teaching jobs are tied to state licensure or certification, public schools and many private schools require teachers to hold a state license, certification or endorsement as a condition of employment.
Online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs prepare bachelor’s program graduates with the training, knowledge, and skills need to teach in elementary and secondary schools, as well as in kindergartens and preschools. They also help prepare graduates to apply for state licensure or certification. MAT programs are typically designed for students who have not already earned their initial teaching license or certification. Licensed educators who are interested in earning a master’s degree usually pursue a Master of Education (MEd) degree instead, as they focus more on leadership and development, as opposed to teaching theories and methods.
What is a Master’s in Teaching Degree?
A master’s degree in teaching is a graduate program with a curriculum that focuses on the theories and practices of the professional educator. Students in these programs learn the principles and accepted practices of classroom instruction, pedagogical theory, lesson planning, and educational processes in preparation for careers in teaching. In addition to core teaching proficiencies, most MAT programs have one or more specializations that allow students to prepare to teach at a particular level and/or in a specific subject area. Common specializations include curriculum and instruction, elementary education, secondary education, early childhood education, reading and literacy, science and math, English as a second language, and classroom technology.
Most MAT programs include a certification pathway to prepare students to apply for a state-administered teaching credential. Certifications pathways typically involve student teaching practicums or internships, as every state requires educators to perform a specified number of supervised teaching hours in order to qualify for licensure or certification. However, it is important to note that not all MAT program pathways lead to licensure or certification. Aspiring educators who intend to teach in public schools or apply for positions that require a state teaching credential should research programs carefully to ensure the program they choose has a pathway to licensure or certification.
Note: The requirements for earning a teaching certification vary by site. Online programs offered by out-of-state institutions may be designed to prepare students for licensure in the state in which they have a physical campus. Out-of-state students should review the requirements for certification in their state of residence and be sure that any program they attend will allow them to meet those requirements. In addition, some states have reciprocity agreements wherein an educator who is licensed in one state can apply for licensure in a different state even if the initial certification requirements are different.
Online Master of Arts in Teaching Programs
Online MAT programs use distance learning technologies to provide instruction that would traditionally be delivered to students though in-person instruction on a college campus. Students in an online program engage in all or most of their required coursework through learning management systems (LMSs), which are secure online platforms designed to stream real-time and/or pre-recorded lectures and host discussion groups and other instructional activities. Students are also typically able to contact professors, instructors, and classmates through a program’s LMS.
Online master’s programs are designed to provide students who work full-time with greater flexibility compared to campus-based programs that require students to commute to campus at set times during the week or on weekends. Most programs offer all of their instruction online; however, some require students to attend a limited number of campus-based sessions or instructional activities. In addition, it is important to note that students in online programs that require teaching practicums or internships must complete these site-based requirements in person at a site approved by their program. Most online students complete student teaching hours within commuting distance from their place of residence.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Teaching Programs
Through rigorous research of graduate programs in education, OnlineEducation.com identifies programs with a curriculum designed to prepare students for classroom teaching positions. MAT programs that are offered online allow students to complete all or most of the required coursework without attending campus-based classes. On OnlineEducation.com, MAT programs that only require two or fewer campus visits per year are also classified as online programs. (Note: Online Master of Science in Teaching (MST) programs, while rare, are also grouped with online MAT programs on this site).
Online MAT programs must also be offered by a regionally accredited, nonprofit college or university. In addition, most programs align their curriculum with teaching standards developed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the primary accrediting agency for master’s in education programs, or by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), which also accredits MAT programs. It is important to note that while most online MAT programs provide training and instruction in classroom teaching and are designed to prepare students for their initial teaching certification, it is possible that some schools may offer an MAT program that does not include a formal path to licensure. Therefore, students who intend to pursue a teaching license after completing an MAT program should research programs carefully to ensure they choose a program that will prepare them for certification in their state of residence.
What Students Learn in Online MAT Programs
MAT students learn about foundational concepts of teaching, child psychology, legal and ethical issues in education, communication, and curriculum design and evaluation. Students in these programs take courses that prepare them to teach diverse learners and maintain safe, creative, and effective learning environments for a broad range of children and young adults. Other areas of focus in a typical MAT program may include classroom technology, lesson planning, student assessment, program assessment, and communication and collaboration with other educators, staff, and families.
In addition to core education proficiencies, most programs include training and instruction in teaching specialized subject areas and/or specific student populations, such as elementary school students, secondary school students, English as second language learners, adult learners, and/or special education students. Many MAT programs include a field experience, student teaching posting, or internship as part of the required curriculum in order to prepare students for their teaching certification.
Common Courses in Online Master of Arts in Teaching Programs
The table below provides an overview of coursework typical of a master’s degree in teaching program curriculum. The course names and descriptions are aggregated from actual online MAT programs in order to provide a representative overview of required and elective coursework.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Education | Introduces foundational, historical, and current teaching concepts that influence teaching in today’s schools; covers state standards-based curriculum, professionalism, and current strategies and theories of education; and legal and ethical issues in education. |
| Child Development, Motivation, and Learning | Examines the social, emotional, physical, and mental growth and development of children as relates to learning and motivation; explores philosophies and theories of child development; introduces resources for teaching and creating effective learning environments; and explores teacher-family relationships and family involvement in learning. |
| Essential Practices for Supporting Diverse Learners | Explores the range of learning needs in today’s schools, including but not limited to students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and gifted and talented learners; and covers how to identify and support diverse learners through practical strategies and differentiated instruction, as well as how to foster safe, culturally responsive, inclusive learning environments. |
| Adolescent Development and Learning Needs | Applies theories of adolescent development to strategies for supporting students from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities, with a focus on socioeconomic status, social, racial, and gender affiliation, religion, learning styles, and special needs. |
| Effective Practices: Planning, Instruction, and Assessment | Explores the interrelationships of various aspects of effective teaching, including lesson planning and learning assessment in K-12 classrooms; and covers the history of educational standards and school accountability leading up to current research-based practices in curriculum design, assessment, and teaching. |
| Reading and Multiple Literacies | Examines literacy practices for middle and high school classrooms, including self-directed learning, principles of inquiry, collaboration, and effective use of technology; and covers literacy needs of diverse learners, cognitive strategies in reading, literacy assessment, contextual meaning, and student motivation. |
| Educational Psychology | Offers an examination of the psychology of human behavior and development and how it applies to teaching and learning; and covers brain development in relation to behavior and learning, learning styles, neuropsychological issues in children, information processing, short-term and long-term memory, and problem-solving techniques. |
| Introduction to Exceptional Children | Introduces various categories of exceptional children, including physical, emotional, behavioral, and social disabilities and challenges, as well as gifted and talented learners; and covers methods of diversification of learning to meet special needs. |
| Curriculum: Planning and Preparation | Introduces the basics of lesson planning and design using the School of Education lesson plan template and other models, as well as planning methods that align with national content area standards, local learning standards, and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. |
| Blended Learning Experiences for Students in Urban Schools | Prepares students to design, implement, and assess technology-based learning environments; and covers customization, individualization, and assessment for K-12 learners. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Teaching Programs
MAT programs are offered at the graduate level, which means applicants are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. These programs are designed for both recent college graduates, as well as adult learners who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching. While specific admissions requirements differ by school, program, and/or specialization, most programs require applicants to submit a common set of application materials, which can include a copy of any and all college transcripts, a resume or CV, a personal statement or essay, and a writing sample. In addition, some programs may have a minimum GPA requirement (usually 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), standardized test requirements (e.g., GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores), and/or ask students to submit two or three letters of recommendation. There are also programs that will request students to engaged in a video interview with members of the admission committee.
Finally, programs that are designed to prepare students for their initial teaching licensure may require applicants to demonstrate that they have access to an appropriate classroom setting for observation, practicum, and student teaching experiences before starting the program. While this is more common for out-of-state programs that may not already have approved relationships with local schools and school districts where students typically can complete student teaching hours, students should check with an admissions advisor at their schools of interest before applying. Also, since these programs usually require student teaching experiences, applicants maybe required to pass a background check as part of the application process.
Online Master of Arts in Teaching Format Options
While online programs are designed to provide greater convenience and flexibility compared to campus-based programs, there are variations that impact the overall learning experience for online students. The primary factors students should consider while researching programs are online instructional methods, enrollment options, and whether or not a program requires campus visits. These variables are detailed below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Some online programs utilize synchronous instruction, which incorporates live, real-time virtual classes, typically held once or twice per week in the morning or evening, or on the weekends. Students who want an online learning experience that more closely resembles attending traditional campus-based classes should consider programs that utilize synchronous instruction. Students who need a more structured learning environment in order to keep up with coursework or who prefer to be able ask questions in real-time, should also look for a program that includes synchronous instruction.
In contrast, asynchronous instruction encompasses learning that does not have a scheduled, real-time component. This allows students to view pre-recorded lectures and instructional modules at their convenience, any time of day or night, and is thus more flexible than programs that incorporate synchronous instruction. While asynchronous instruction may be preferable for students who work or have commitments that conflict with scheduled class meetings, it may not be ideal for all students. Online programs that mainly use asynchronous instruction require a greater degree of self-motivation and self-dedication to keep up with course materials in the absence of routine weekly class meetings.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Many online MAT programs are offered part-time to accommodate working professionals. Part-time enrollment generally equates to completing one or two courses per semester and leads to completing a program in two or more years. Programs that offer classes using the quarter system or an alternative academic calendar (with five to eight-week sessions) may allow students who enroll part-time to earn their degree in less than two years. Full-time enrollment may require students to complete as many as four courses per semester but can lead to graduating in 12 to 18 months. Students who enroll full-time in an online MAT program should expect to spend up to 40 hours per week on coursework.
Campus Visits: While many online programs do not require any campus visits, some programs incorporate one or two site-based sessions per year. These sessions can add a valuable component to the online learning experience but may not be convenient for students who do not live near the school they are attending. Programs that require more than two campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and not online programs by OnlineEducation.com, and are therefore not listed on the site.