Applications accepted for Spring 2025 cohort beginning January 2025 

Reach out to Hailey Hancock today at: haileyhancock@montana.edu

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching is a professional graduate degree designed for those with a bachelor's degree to complete the professional pedagogical coursework required for recommendation for initial licensure to teach in Montana or Wyoming's public elementary schools. The degree is designed to be completed in as little as five to seven semesters (including summer), depending on cohort availability. Additionally, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree at MSU is also available to support candidates working as teachers-of-record on a Class 5 license. The MAT at MSU-Bozeman is distinguished from other similar programs in that it has an intentional focus on place-conscious pedagogy and approaches to teaching with an emphasis on teaching in rural school districts.     

Additionally, the MAT Elementary Education track is able to assist with already licensed teachers in other content areas to add elementary education K8 as an added endorsement through a modified program track. Inquire with Hailey Hancock for specifics on this program pathway. 

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree (MAT) requires 36 credits of pedogogical coursework, an additional two courses (6 credits) of content area prerequisites, and includes early field experience with Inclusive Community Camp, and two semesters of in-school experiences each, including either one semester of part-time practicum and one full-time semester of classroom Student Teaching or while hired as a teacher-of-record in the approved content area. Successful completion of all coursework, in-school experience, and required tests (Praxis) are required for graduation and recommendation for a Montana Class 1 Teaching License. 

Curriculum

Please reach out to Hailey Hancock for more information at: haileyhancock@montana.edu for more information regarding the MAT curriculum schedule.

Courses
Credits 

**Prerequisite Courses

*M 419: Ratio and Proportion in Elementary School Mathematics

*EDCI 561: Early Literacy Acquisition: Encoding and Decoding

 

3 cr

3 cr

EDCI 552: Human Development and the Psychology of Learning

EDCI 563: Language Acquisition and Assessment

EDCI 553: Inclusive Strategies for Classroom Organization

EDCI 539: Methods of Teaching: K8 Arts and Health Enhancement through Inquiry Camp (field exp)

EDCI 543: Introduction to Curriculum Design and Assessment

EDCI 565: Methods of Teaching: K8 Mathematics

EDCI 566: Methods of Teaching: K8 Science

EDCI 567: Methods of Teaching: K8 Language Arts

EDCI 568: Methods of Teaching: K8 Social Studies

EDCI 555: Technology, Instructional Design, and Learner Success

EDCI 598: Practicum

EDCI 595: Student Teaching

EDCI 519: Addressing Equity in Linguistic and Cultural Diversity

EDCI 569: Reflective Inquiry in Rural Education 

 Program Total Credits

3 cr

3 cr

3 cr

3 cr

1 cr

2 cr

2 cr

2 cr

2 cr

2 cr

1 cr

6 cr

3 cr

3 cr

36 

Prerequisites and Endorsement Areas

 In order to qualify for the Elementary Education track of the MAT, applicants must:

  • Have completed a bachelor's degree containing a liberal arts core or general education component
  • Applicants must have taken and passed Praxis Content Series 5001. 
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for both Bachelor's degree, and for all graduate level coursework

Applicants to the Elementary Education MAT will enroll in and successfully complete the following two content prerequisite courses during the first two semesters in the MAT program. Successful completion of these courses is required for a recomendation for licensure:

  • M 419: Ratio and Proportion in School Mathematics  
  • EDCI 561: Early Literacy Acquisition: Encoding and Decoding

Admissions

Interested candidates for the MAT program should begin by reaching out to the MAT office by emailing Hailey Hancock at haileyhancock@montana.edu. Next, applicants will begin a review and self-assessment of the elementary education content specific requirements and guidelines for admission, as outlined on our Endorsements page.  Applicants will also need to take and pass the Praxis Content Series 5001exam prior to application. Be sure to allow enough time to study for the test, and allow 2-5 weeks prior to the application deadline to receive official test scores. 

    • Online application to Montana State University Graduate School with $70 fee. Please access using this link: https://www.applyweb.com/msug/index.ftl 
      • Application is found under "Online Only Master's and Doctoral Programs". 
    • Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
      • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for both bachelor’s degree, and for all graduate level coursework - may be emailed directly to the Department of Education Graduate Coordinator at edgrad@montana.edu or to gradstudy@montana.edu

      • OR, Mail to:

        • Montana State University

          Department of Education, Attn: MAT Program

          PO Box 172940

          Bozeman, MT 59717

    • -  Endorsement Verification Form for required endorsement area sought - must be approved by program faculty prior to admission. Send in Excel format directly to program staff. 3.0 GPA Required.

       

    • Official Score for Praxis Content Area Exam required for endorsement area sought.

      (Official score will be sent to Office of Field Placement and Licensure - note Montana State University when you register for your test). Please note, the Praxis Test Series 5001 is a collection of tests including:

      • Reading and Language Arts (test 5002) minimum score: 157,

      • Mathematics (5003) minimum score: 157,

      • Social Studies (5004) minimum score: 155, and

      • Science (5005) minimum score: 159.

      • These tests are packaged together into test 5001. If you have difficulty registering for this test, please call your local testing center directly for assistance. Passing scores for these tests are: 5002: 157, 5003: 157, 5004: 155, and 5005: 159.

    • - Personal Statement (use template). Upload your written statement answering the following three (3) questions when requested on page 8 of the application. 1. Describe your previous work history, academic preparation, and previous work with children or adolescents. 2. Describe the unique characteristics, academic abilities, and personal traits that qualify you to become a teacher. 3. Describe why you want to enter the teaching profession and what you expect to encounter as a K-8 teacher.

    • Resume/CV. Provide a resume or CV which contains all previous work experience and education, including relevant work with youth.

    • References - 3 Required. During the application process, you will be requested to provide contact information for three references. Be sure one reference each is from your current (or previous) employer and one is personal (particularly if the reference can speak to your previous experience working with youth) or academic. The third reference is your choice, however we recommend a letter of support from your local school administrator.

Please see our Endorsement Area page for detailed information about the requirements for the Elementary Education MAT track and qualifications for admission.

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for both Bachelor's degree, and for all graduate level coursework

 

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