Master of Arts in Teaching, MAT

Statement of Purpose

The Master of Arts in Teaching program at Southern Arkansas University is designed to enable career changes for those people who hold a baccalaureate degree and would like to teach K-12 learners. The SAU MAT program allows for candidates to be initially licensed in any content area the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education recognizes as an initial licensure area. 

The EPP holds candidates accountable for their knowledge, skills, and dispositions throughout the program of study based on DESE competencies, InTASC standards, ISTE standards, and SAU adopted professional competencies. All coursework is aligned with assignments and assessments to ensure candidate growth. Through various milestones candidates are assessed on these standards.

Admission to the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP)

A pre-candidate who plans to follow teacher preparation programs must be admitted to the graduate school and the MAT program. Pre-candidates can be admitted conditionally or unconditionally to the EPP and should work closely with their College of Education and Human Performance advisor to determine when the criterion for admissions is met.

For more information on the admission policy for conditional and unconditional admissions, visit the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19M3xIs37CIgSsXD5LjYepL49m8zgpUIx/edit

Educator Preparation Program Professional Responsibilities

The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Rules Governing Educator Licensure requires candidates to complete trainings during the program of study and prior to licensure. The required trainings is as follows:

• The Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators (Act 294 of 2017)  

• Mandated Reporting Obligations (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-61-133)

• Family and Community Engagement (Ark. Code Ann. §6-15-1705)

• Mental Health Awareness and Teen Suicide Prevention (Ark. Code Ann. §6- 17-708) 

• Dyslexia and Related Disorders Identification (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-609) 

• Human Trafficking Awareness (Ark. Code Ann. §6-17-710) 

• Arkansas History (Ark. Code Ann. §6-17-703) 

  • K-6, middle school social studies, & secondary social studies must include three (3) college credit hours at an accredited institution of higher education. 

  • All other licensure areas must complete two (2) hours of Arkansas History through ArkansasIDEAS. 

• Science of Reading (SOR) instruction (Act 416 of 2017 & Act 1063 of 2017) 

  • Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12 - Proficiency Level

  • All other programs leading to licensure areas - Awareness Level

Requirements for Arkansas Teacher Licensure

Candidates will not be eligible for the standard license until all licensure requirements and pedagogical assessments have been met. Elementary Education and Special Education candidates must also pass the Foundations of Reading exam.

During the final semester of coursework, candidates will be provided with instructions to complete the standard licensure paperwork. After graduation and after the degree is posted on the transcript, the licensure officer will sign off on standard licenses for candidates that meet the qualifications. For questions regarding licensure, contact the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education. 

Specific Course Requirements for Master of Arts in Teaching

Each candidate for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree must complete 30 semester hours of coursework (33 hours for the Elementary Education track and 36 hours for Special Education). All candidates, regardless of licensure level, will complete the core courses. Candidates will select the appropriate licensure track and complete requirements for that track.