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University of Pittsburgh    
2025-2026 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog 
    
 
  Jan 28, 2026
 
2025-2026 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog

Science Education, MAT


The Master of Arts (MAT) program in Science Education offers students a rigorous course of instruction in teaching Science content in grades 7-12. Upon graduation, the MAT program satisfies the requirements for earning a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate and provides students with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.

Through coursework and a two-semester internship, the MAT program prepares teachers to enact dialogic, student-centered, research-based instruction to teach Science content to students in grades 7-12. The program also focuses on implementing three pillars: a) centering care and relationality in teaching; b) inviting and honoring diverse ways of knowing; and c) seeking to unsettle and remake unjust system, structures, practices, and norms in today’s schools.

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

Accreditations: PA Department of Education accredited

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

Internship Experience:  During the school year, students complete an internship in a local public school under the supervision of a mentor teacher and teacher candidate coach. 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 15 hours per week working with their mentor teacher. In the spring term, students in the MAT program are in their school sites full-time, culminating in a two-week take-over of their mentor teacher’s full responsibilities.

GPA and Grade requirements: All students enrolled in the MAT in Math 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. 

All classes that are not directly field-related (i.e.: student teaching placements and related seminars) must be taken for a letter grade.

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.

Comprehensive requirement: Completed in TLL 2290 research seminar capstone project

Admissions Requirements


Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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).​​

Total Credits: 36




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