Teaching, MA

Before you step in front of students, you’ll learn:

• education theories and research-based teaching methods
• how to integrate educational technology into your classroom
• the content knowledge needed to successfully teach your subject
• how to apply what you learn to the day-to-day challenges of shaping and nurturing adolescent students

The MAT degree is a unique Master’s program, where students will take undergraduate coursework to meet the requirements of a concentration area. Students should make every effort to complete the undergraduate courses at the beginning of the program. In addition, students complete a total of 37 credits of graduate level coursework which will include a full-time internship as a student teacher in the final semester of the program.

Ideally, an applicant will have completed a substantial portion of the coursework required for one or more of the teaching concentrations offered at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Concentration options include English/Language Arts, Integrated Science, Mathematics and Social Studies.

We strongly believe that teaching is a craft perfected with practice, and you’ll get plenty of it at UM-Dearborn. Your program includes early field work in secondary classrooms, a semester of part-time teaching during an internship, and a full semester of student teaching. By the time you graduate, you’ll be an experienced teacher ready to confidently walk into your own classroom for the first time.

Applicants interested in pursuing secondary certification must complete requirements for a secondary teaching concentration and specialized grade band. See below for the concentrations and grade bands offered at UM-Dearborn. Please note that both a concentration and grade band selection is required. Students may select both grade bands, if desired (additional coursework may be needed).

• 5th-9th grade math
• 7th-12th grade math
• 5th-9th grade English language arts
• 7th-12th grade English language arts
• 5th-9th grade integrated science
• 7th-12th grade integrated science
• 5th-9th grade social studies
• 7th-12th grade social studies

Previous coursework is evaluated relative to State of Michigan standards for teacher certification and, to the extent possible, used to satisfy requirements; additional coursework in the concentration and grade band areas may be required. Remaining content coursework is combined with a series of Education Professional Sequence courses, at least two of which involve classroom field placements. 

UM-Dearborn’s teacher certification program is not available online, although some courses may have online/hybrid sections. The MAT route requires a commitment of at least two years, depending on prior coursework.

Students must submit the following items with their application. The GRE is not required for admission to this program. The Office of International Affairs lists additional admission requirements for international students.

MAT program applicants who have transcripts from non-U.S. institutions may also be required to submit ECE Course-by-Course Evaluations to aid in developing a plan of study that appropriately meets the requirements of the student’s chosen concentration area(s).

Students must submit the following with their application:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• 3.0 GPA or higher on submitted transcripts
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• Application Fee
• Personal statement

With successful completion of the program you will earn the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. After passing the appropriate Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification (MTTC) you will be recommended to the Michigan State Board of Education for a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate and endorsement in your chosen content area and grade band(s).

*Note that the prior MAT program options in level-based certification (6-12 secondary certification) have been placed on admissions moratorium. More information on this program for current students only can be found in the archived Graduate Catalog (2022 or older). Current students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor with programming questions.

The pathways in our Educator Preparation Program were designed to satisfy educational prerequisites to initial and advanced licensure in only the state of Michigan. We encourage students to contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state in which they are located or, if different, the state in which they intend to seek licensure for more information. While the Educator Preparation Program pathways may or may not fully satisfy educational prerequisites to licensure in other states, academic advisors work with students on an individual basis and are available to discuss teaching certifications and reciprocity opportunities in other states. In addition, the Education Commission of the States website provides solid information as to the expectations each state and the District of Columbia has for obtaining licensure beyond Michigan licensure.