Get certified to teach!
To succeed in the classroom as a teacher of a secondary school subject, you need a specific skill set that not only prepares you to teach, but also equips you with a level of expertise in your chosen curriculum area, whether it is science, math, English, history, art or other subject. Through your bachelor’s degree, you already have that subject-area expertise; the Master of Arts in Teaching-Secondary will provide you with the training and field experience necessary to earn initial State of Missouri teacher certification in grades 9-12 or K-12, depending on the subject area.
The Master of Applied Arts in Teaching-Secondary is designed for college graduates who want to pursue a career as a teacher. You have gained content knowledge in the secondary subject area through your undergraduate degree; our master’s degree program will provide you with training in educational theory and practice to prepare you as an outstanding and effective educator.
Yes! All who successfully complete the M.A.T. program and meet DESE minimum requirements will earn initial teaching certification for secondary settings in the State of Missouri. This is one of the quickest ways to attain certification available.
Missouri Western offers the M.A.T. in 13 different secondary curriculum areas:
- art (K-12)
- biology (9-12)
- business (9-12)
- chemistry (9-12)
- English (9-12)
- health (9-12)
- mathematics (9-12)
- music – instrumental (K-12)
- music – vocal (K-12)
- physical education (K-12)
- social studies (9-12)
- Spanish (K-12)
- speech and theatre (9-12)
- Only 38 credit hours to earn initial teacher certification in the State of Missouri and a master’s degree at the same time
- The M.A.T. holds high market value–currently, school districts not only in Missouri Western’s region but throughout the state and country are experiencing critical teacher shortages in the majority of secondary curriculum areas
- All coursework is online
- Courses are taught by full-time, experienced educators, most with public school experience at the secondary level
- Coursework can be completed while employed in a school district under a provisional license
| Course Number | Credits | Course Title |
| EDU 511 | 3 | Content Area Literacy: Reading and Writing Techniques |
| EDU 515 | 3 | Fundamentals and Strategies for Teaching Learners with Exceptionalities |
| EDU 521 | 3 | Teaching Students with Reading Deficits |
| EDU 561 | 6 | Induction to the Teaching Profession |
| EDU 565 | 3 | Instructional Methods for Secondary Learners |
| EDU 603 | 1 | Internship in Teaching – Secondary Education |
| EDU 604 | 1 | Seminar for Student Teaching Professionals |
| EDU 608 | 9 | Student Teaching – Secondary Education |
| EDU 667 | 3 | Teaching Critical Thinking through Technology, Collaboration, and Differentiated Instruction |
| EDU 676 | 3 | Behavioral Management and Interventions |
| TSL 664 | 3 | Language & Culture |
Ready to take the first step toward your new career as a teacher? Download, sign and submit the form(s) to the program director.
- Major: M.A.T.-Secondary
Dr. Susan Bashinski
Graduate Program Director & Professor
sbashinski@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-4394
“Be a teacher, and help us create the future!”
About Our Graduate Programs
Delivery: 100% online
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2021: Aug. 23, 2021
- Spring 2022: Jan. 11, 2022
- Summer 2022: May 24, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuition Information
Graduate School