The Master of Arts in Teaching Degree is an advanced-level program for alternative teacher licensure that provides non-teaching professionals the tools to become effective educators. It infuses into its coursework and field experiences the areas of diversity, technology, inquiry, and practical experiences, accompanied by a research-enhanced base for effective decision-making, in order to produce and promote highly effective educators for high-need school districts.

The purpose of this program is to allow persons already possessing a bachelor's degree in a field outside of education to enter a teaching contract with a particular school district while concurrently completing the preparation of study needed to attain a Master's Degree in Education and the culminating requirements to become a certified teacher. The need for the degree was based upon on-going experiences in the Kansas City, Kansas, area and in the rural area of Southeast Kansas.

The words below from one of the program graduates exemplify the "call to serve" often expressed by program participants.

One day while I was sitting at my desk, I realized that corporate America was not the place I wanted to spend the next 30 years of my life. I realized that teaching was the call for my life and I had to answer it with diligence.

Specific procedures and criteria for admission to the MAT program include the following:

• Previously completed BS or BA degree in a non-teaching field
• Interview, plus transcript review (Transcript must demonstrate all or within 9 credit hours of coursework required to teach in a specific content area at secondary level)
• Passing of basic skills tests (PPST or C-BASE) to remain in the program

The program is based upon an interactive model that is one of its strongest positive features. Full-time faculty from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction deliver, primarily in a face-to-face format, more than half of the coursework of the program. Emphasizing cooperative learning and student-centered activities, instructors provide multiple opportunities for interaction as they model effective teaching techniques for the participants.

To learn more about this innovative program, with an alternative route to teaching licensure, contact the following:

Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Pittsburg State University,
620-235-4508

or

Office of Teacher Education, Pittsburg State University,
620-235-4489.

I am very pleased with all aspects of the program. Thank you PSU!
--Cohort I participant