Master of Arts in Teaching/MS Alternate Certification (MAT – ALT/CERT)
Belhaven offers a challenging educational experience for aspiring teachers who desire to enhance their knowledge and skills. Our faculty and staff are committed to preparing professional educators who can provide distinctive Christian leadership and service in the classroom, the school, and the community.
The goal of graduate teacher education is to prepare competent teachers who demonstrate both academic excellence and professional knowledge while providing distinctive Christian leadership and service to candidates, parents, and communities. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed for candidates who have a non-education undergraduate degree.
Master of Arts in Teaching/Licensure (MAT/LICENSURE)
The State of Mississippi requires unlicensed degree holders who wish to become licensed teachers to enroll in the MAT Alternate Route program. Those interested in the Alternate Route Program leading to Mississippi Teacher Certification are required to meet one of the following three admission criteria:
- ACT composite score of 21 or higher,
- Passing score on the PRAXIS CORE test, or
- Have a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credit hours of their latest coursework
Applicants must also pass a PRAXIS II test in an approved content subject area prior to admissions to the program.
The Mississippi Foundations of Reading Test (FOR) is also required for licensure to teach at the K-6 Elementary level.
A qualified candidate is required to only take the following three courses to qualify for the Three-Year Provisional Alternate Route Teaching License:
- EDU 501 Measurement and Evaluation Strategies,
- EDU 506 Classroom Managementand Organization, and
- EDU 602 Psychology of the Exceptional Child.
After completing one (1) year of teaching and while enrolled in two semesters of Teacher Residency courses EDU 502 and EDU 503, a candidate may apply for a Class A standard (5 year) license. Upon completion of the MAT program, application for a Class AA standard five-year license can be made.
The Master of Arts in Teaching/Non-Licensure degree (MAT/NON-LICENSURE ) is for individuals who have a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree in a content area other than Education who would like to acquire the knowledge base of teaching and learning, and who want to gain the skills and competencies they need to become a teacher. Candidates completing this degree understand that the degree does NOT meet the requirement to apply for state teacher certification.
While candidates completing this degree understand that the degree does NOT meet the requirement to apply for state teacher certification, the Belhaven staff will work with participants to complete the admissions requirements during their program to give the candidate the option of changing to a licensed degree meeting the admissions requirements.
Candidates admitted to the MAT/NON-LICENSURE degree program are eligible for Federal financial aid.
All courses in the degree program are presented in an online learning delivery format. For more information regarding the admission process, please call the Adult and Graduate Admission Office at 601-968-8880. For licensure questions, call the School of Education at 601-968-8703.
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is for candidates who hold non-educational undergraduate degrees and want to pursue the Mississippi Alternate Route Teacher License at the graduate level. MAT candidates have one of two options: qualify for a teacher license at the K-6 Elementary level, or qualify for a teacher license at the middle and/or secondary level, grades 7 through 12. Applicants must meet the following to be admitted to the program:
Meet One of the Following - GPA or Test Requirements:- 3.0 cumulative GPA on last 60 hours of undergraduate/graduate work OR
- 21 ACT higher or qualifying SAT score OR
- Required passing scores on Praxis Core Test
- Prior to admission to the program, applicants must pass a PRAXIS II Test in an approved content/subject area that aligns with the Belhaven University School of Education’s MAT program approved by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to permit the School of Education to make recommendations for the MDE Three-Year Alternate License.
- MAT - Memorandum of Understanding: EDU 502 Teacher Residency I - EDU 503 Teacher Residency II
- MAT/NL - Memorandum of Understanding for Non-Licensure Program
- MAT- ELM/K-6 - Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary K-6 Degree Plan Sheet
- MAT-SEC/7-12 - Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary 7-12 Degree Plan Sheet
- MAT/NL - Master of Arts in Teaching/Non-License Degree Plan Sheet
These rates are for August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023.
| Tuition and Fees | Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Teaching | $595 |
| Classroom Leadership Scholarship Rate | $462 |
Classroom Leadership Scholarships are available for Mississippi teachers. Scholarships are applied to candidates who are enrolled in the Master of Arts in teaching program and are worth $400 per class.
Visit the Scholarship, Discounts and Fees web page to view other fees and the cost estimate calculator.