GR
EDCI 6130: Lesson Planning & Assessing Student Lear
3 credits
Lesson planning and teaching methodologies; differentiated instruction; aligning assessments and objectives; state and national assessments.
Graduate
Elementary Education, M.A.T. (Online) / Mississippi Teacher Residency
Get certified. Get confident. Get in the classroom with a Master of Arts in Teaching and the Mississippi Teacher Residency program!
About the Master of Arts in Teaching
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) online program is a 33 hour alternate-route teacher certification program. Program participants are eligible to obtain a three-year alternate route Mississippi Educator License (which certifies them to teach grades 4–6 in Mississippi) after completing the nine semester hours of pre-teaching coursework and passing the Foundations of Reading exam, provided they meet all program admission requirements.
Participants may then pursue a five-year alternate route Mississippi Educator License (K–6) after obtaining a full-time teaching position in a Mississippi public school as the teacher of record and completing all remaining coursework in the MAT Elementary Education Program.
- Coursework focuses on providing the pedagogical knowledge and skills needed for elementary instruction (K–6) to individuals with sufficient content knowledge, including lesson planning, classroom management, literacy instruction, special education, and STEM methods.
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
M.A.T. in Teaching
Emphases
Elementary Education
Required Credit Hours
33
Program Type
Master's Program
Program Location
School
Duration
1.5 - 2 years
Explore Everything the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) has to Offer
The Master of Arts in Teaching is more than just a master's degree; it prepares students to design effective lessons, manage classrooms, and create inclusive learning environments.
Students applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education must meet the following requirements. Students must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning.
- 3.0 GPA overall or on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, OR a minimum ACT composite score of 21, OR a minimum SAT equivalent, OR passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination.
- Passing score on the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Praxis 5018). The Praxis II test must be passed before beginning coursework.
Participants must have a valid Social Security number and provide the Mississippi Department of Education with proof of lawful presence in the US.
The Praxis required for admissions is a content-area exam. For the Elementary MAT program, applicants should register for the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Praxis 5018)
What courses will you take to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching
Here are some of the courses you'll take to earn your Teaching degree.
GR
EDCI 6150: Classroom Facilitation and Management
3 credits
The purpose of this course is to involve candidates in a variety of situations that will introduce them to the various ways in which they must manage a classroom. Candidates will explore various techniques to manage student behavior as well as to plan lessons for effective teaching. Candidates will explore effective routines/procedures to assist with organizing their classrooms as well as how to create effective rules, positive recognition, and consequences to guide student behavior. Additionally, they will explore ways to become partners with parents and to set high expectations for "all" of their students.
GR
EDRD 6140: Reading Diagnosis and Intervention
3 credits
Survey of knowledge base necessary for teaching and assessing reading; emphasis on basics; focuses on fundamentals of developmental assessment, diagnosis, and instruction of reading across ability levels.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions about the Master of Arts in Teaching, don't hesitate to get in touch!
Kristi Livingston
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to your frequently asked questions below!
The MAT Elementary Education program is a master’s degree program for individuals possessing an undergraduate degree in a field other than education.
Through the program, students will be eligible to receive a:
- 3-year Class A non-renewable license after completion of the first three required courses (3) and the passing of the Foundations of Reading Test.
- 5-year Class AA renewable license after completion of all requirements in the program.
There are many benefits to being part of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program.
Here are just a few:
- Have the flexibility to complete the program online
- Receive a 3-year provisional license to teach in a 4th-6th grade classroom after completing just the first three courses, along with passing the Foundations of Reading Test
- Convert your 3-year license to a 5-year AA Mississippi Educator License, which entitles you to a pay raise upon completion of the program
- Receive ongoing program and licensure assessment support throughout the 1.5 – 2 year long program
- Gain valuable hands-on experience by serving as a teacher of record in a Mississippi elementary classroom while completing coursework
- Begin a worthwhile and fulfilling career helping children build strong foundations for lifelong learning
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher learning
- Twenty-one (21) ACT (or SAT equivalent) OR achieve a qualifying passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination OR verification of 3.0 overall GPA on a baccalaureate transcript or on last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
- Passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessment for Elementary (4-6) (Praxis II 5018)
To provide certification and support to participants as they teach and earn a master’s degree, and to create the next generation of teachers for the state of Mississippi.
Yes. You must pass the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Praxis 5018)
No. The GRE is not required for admission into this program
We admit students for the program each semester (fall and spring)
We are currently accepting applications through the Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program. These funds cover the first 12 hours of coursework, provide a voucher for the Foundations of Reading Test, as well as a stipend to assist with textbooks and technology.
Fill out the pre-application form to apply.
The initial license is a three-year alternate route Mississippi Educator License (grades 4–6). You have three years to complete the MAT Elementary Education program, after which the license converts to a five-year alternate route Mississippi Educator License (K–6). If you do not complete the program within that timeframe, the license expires, and you would need to enroll in a licensure program again to become licensed.
Please reach out to Dr. Kristi Livingston
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?