Science Education, MAT

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The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in Science Education offers students a rigorous course of instruction in grades 7-12, combining methodological course-work and practical experience in a full-year internship in a public-school classroom. Capstone courses that support learning from teaching culminate in a reflective teaching portfolio and project.

Our program is focused on research-based best practices that support all children to learn and is committed to fostering practices that further social justice.

Candidates graduate satisfying the requirements to earn a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

In our program, students select one of the following areas of specialization in science: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, General Science, or Physics.

36 credits are required for this program 

Accreditations: PA Department of Education accredited

Admissions Requirements:

• 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework

EDUCATION COURSE PREREQUISITES

• 3 credits of Foundations of Special Education
• 3 credits of Adolescent Development

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN PREREQUISITE

• 30 hours of experience working with K-12 children (preferably adolescents).  Typical experiences include work at summer camps, tutoring, community involvement, or other volunteer or paid work with children.
• To document experience with children, candidates, complete the Hours Documentation Form (PDF), is submitted with application materials

SCIENCE COURSE PREREQUISITES

PREREQUISITES FOR BIOLOGY APPLICANTS ONLY

• A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in Biology or related fields (e.g., Biochemistry, Environmental Science, etc.) with at least 9 of these credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships;
• Foundations of Biology I and II (with labs); General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Organic Chemistry I (with lab); Calculus I (not included in 38 credit total)
• Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Molecular or Cellular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Environmental Biology or Ecology (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval)

PREREQUISITES FOR CHEMISTRY APPLICANTS ONLY

• A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in Chemistry or related fields (e.g., Biochemistry, Geochemistry, etc.) with at least 9 of these credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships;
• Foundations of Biology I (with lab); General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Organic Chemistry I and II (with labs); Introduction to Physics I; Calculus I and II (not included in 38 credit total);
• Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Analytic Chemistry or Instrumental Analysis; Physical Chemistry; Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or Geochemistry;  (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval).

PREREQUISITES FOR GENERAL SCIENCE APPLICANTS ONLY

• A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in the natural sciences and/or mathematics (at least 9 credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships
• Foundations of Biology I and II (with labs);
• General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Organic Chemistry; Introduction to Physics I and II; Physics Lab; Calculus I (not included in 38 credit total)
• Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Molecular or Cellular Biology, Environmental Biology or Ecology, Geology, and Astronomy (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval).

PREREQUISITES FOR PHYSICS APPLICANTS ONLY

• A minimum of 38 credits of college-level coursework in Physics or related fields (e.g., Biophysics, Mathematics, etc.) with at least 9 of these credits at the upper level (junior/senior) and/or research internships;
• Introduction to Physics I and II (with labs); General Chemistry I and II (with labs); Calculus I, II, and III (not included in 38 credit total);
• Evidence of coursework (or equivalent academic or professional experiences) in Mechanics (above introductory level); Electricity and Magnetism (above introductory level); Optics; Wave Motion; Ethical, Human, and/or Environmental Applications of Contemporary Physics; (single courses may satisfy multiple areas; a portion of a course that substantially addresses one of the areas may also be accepted. In either of these cases, further information (e.g. syllabi, course documents) will be required to make a case for approval).​​

GPA and Grade requirements: All students enrolled in the MAT in English Education are required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. A student is automatically placed on academic warning if the cumulative GPA, exclusive of transfer credits, falls below 3.000. No student on academic warning is permitted to participate in student teaching, a teaching internship, or an advanced teaching practicum. 

Graduation Requirements: Students must complete the 36 credits required by the program plan of study, fulfill all PA Department of Education (PDE) requirements, and obtain the required GPA of 3.00 to meet graduation requirements.

Required Courses (Sample Plan of Studies):

Internship Experience:

During the school year, students complete an internship in a local public school under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Interns observe, analyze, and practice teaching skills in the grade levels and subjects of their mentor teacher.

In the fall term, MAT students spend approximately 20 hours per week working with their mentor teacher. In the summer term, students in the MAT program are in their school sites 30 hours per week, culminating in a two-week take-over of their mentor teacher’s full responsibilities.

Certification Requirements:

Our graduates satisfy the requirements to earn a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree by achieving the following:

• Earning a passing score on the PRAXIS II Exam in their content area Teaching Interns must take and pass the Content Knowledge (PRAXIS II) test either the summer before the program or during the first semester of the program in order to obtain their Intern Certificate.
• Completing Stage 3 competencies
• Completing the PA Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430); and
• Demonstrating satisfactory performance in courses and the student internship

How is the Comprehensive Requirement Completed? TLL 2290 research seminar capstone project