Program Overview

The 38 credit hour online Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree program is an alternative and accelerated means for college graduates with degrees in liberal arts, fine arts, and professional fields to attain teacher licensure. The program provides the professional education courses and clinical experiences - including student teaching - necessary to prepare candidates for teaching in a specific content area in grades PreK-Adult, 5-Adult, or 9- Adult (see Specializations for a list of all certification options). The M.A.T. program does not currently offer licensure in Elementary Education or Special Education; however, an endorsement in Special Education may be added after the initial license in a content area is earned.

Note: Pre-requisite content specialization coursework is typically delivered on-campus in a face-to-face setting.

M.A.T. Specializations

The following specializations are offered for MAT candidates:

Art, Pre K - Adult
Biology, 9 - Adult
Chemistry, 9 - Adult
Earth & Space Science 5 - Adult
English, 5 - Adult
General Science, 5 - Adult
School Health Education, 5 - Adult
Mathematics, 5 - Adult
Physical Education, Pre K - Adult
Physics, 9 - Adult
School Health Education, 5-Adult
Social Studies, 5 - Adult Spanish, Pre K - Adult

The MAT program does not currently offer licensure in Special Education; however, an endorsement for certification in Special Education may be added after the initial license in a content area is earned.

Pre-Admission Requirements

Candidates applying to the MAT program must complete the following:

• Transcript Analysis: Request a transcript analysis from Joyce.Rose@fairmontstate.edu or (304) 367-4242 in the Office of Certification to evaluate courses from the undergraduate degree against the requirements for licensure in the secondary content specialization areas offered through Fairmont State.

• Content Coursework: Satisfactorily complete 75% of the coursework in the candidate’s teaching field. Non-degree students may take content courses and then apply to the M.A.T. program upon completion of the pre-requisites.

Admission Requirements

• Submit admissions application to the Office of Admissions. Online application can be found at here.

• Pay $50 application fee along with application

• Submit official college transcripts to the Office of Admissions

• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA

• Report a Praxis II Content Test passing score.

Once admitted to the M.A.T program, candidates must complete all remaining required content specialization courses prior to being recommended for licensure by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). In addition to content specialization coursework, M.A.T candidates also complete 38 credit hours of required graduate program core and professional Education coursework, and clinical experiences.

Candidates applying for licensure to teach must also satisfy Fairmont State’s GPA requirement and the testing requirements established by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). Currently, candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the content specialization area in addition to an overall GPA of 2.75. The testing requirements are the PRAXIS II content test(s) and the Principles of Learning and Teaching Exam (PLT) required by the WVDE.

Clinical Placement, Supervision and Evaluation Graduate Professional Education Program Candidates

The following information explains the process for the selection of field and clinical placements for candidates in graduate Teacher Education certification programs. Please review the document for information that pertains to your particular personal, professional, and program situation. If you have questions about field and clinical placements beyond the information provided here, please feel free to call 304-367-4886 or email Barbara Owens at Barbara.Owens@fairmontstate.edu for more information.

NOTE: All certification candidates, regardless of certification being sought, must complete all field and clinical requirements in appropriate classroom settings given the certification program in which they are enrolled.

Candidates who change teaching positions, or move into a first-time position must still meet these requirements to complete the additional certification. Candidates who move into a position or change positions (and no longer require the certification being sought) may choose to transfer to the M.Ed. Professional Studies option to complete their master’s degree. Of special note:

• Any 5-Adult or Pre K -Adult programs of study must include clinical placements - including student teaching – in the appropriate grade, content and specialization placements as required by WV Board of Education policy.

• Multi-categorical Special Education certification requires field/clinical experiences - including student teaching in a Multi-categorical Special Education classroom.

• 5-Adult Certifications require 2 student-teaching placements: Middle School and High School. Exceptions include:

• Candidates who are previously certified K-6 and completed a field or clinical experience at the middle school grade level (5th through 8th grade), do not have to student teach for the new certification in these grades;

• Candidates who are previously certified 5-Adult will only need one of middle school or high school student teaching for the new certification;

• Candidates who are previously certified 9-Adult must student teach in a middle school for the new certification.

• K-Adult Certifications require 2 of 3 student teaching placements: Elementary School and Middle School or High School.

• Only candidates already certified Elementary K-6 are eligible to add a new certification in K-Adult.

• Candidates who are previously certified K-6 may student teach for the new certification in either a middle school or high school placement.

• Length of the Student-Teaching experience:

• Student-teaching is a 16-week experience.

Fairmont State is committed to the concept of “Professional Development Schools” (PDS) as a foundation for excellence in teacher Education, professional development, and outreach to our local communities. PDSs are a network of 36 schools that partner with Fairmont State in the following five counties, including: Harrison; Preston; Marion; Taylor; and Monongalia.

Note to Candidates who work full or part-time outside Education, or as substitute teachers

• You must complete all field and clinical components in a way that fully meets all academic and certification requirements.

• This may require you to request leave time from your current employment or vacate your current employment to complete program requirements.

• You must student teach for the full expectations (number of weeks; full days, supervised by a teacher certified in the area being sought).

• Substitute teaching does not fulfill requirements for academic or certification expectations.

• Work experience in Education prior to admission to the program of study cannot be used to fulfill program requirements.

All certification candidates, regardless of certification being sought, must complete all field and clinical requirements in appropriate classroom settings given the certification program in which they are enrolled. Candidates are placed in one of the 36 Professional Development Schools in the five counties that partner with Fairmont State to deliver teacher Education through the Fairmont State PDS Partnership.