What Is a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree?
Warner Pacific University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program is designed for individuals seeking preliminary teaching licensure, whether you’re a career changer or a paraprofessional with classroom experience looking to formalize your qualifications.
The MAT program demonstrates a dedication to diversity and inclusion, supporting a student body that is culturally, linguistically, and economically varied. Graduates go on to serve diverse communities, fostering representation in education by ensuring students can relate to their teachers, mentors, and administrators.
Offered through WPU’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) division, the MAT degree program considers the unique needs of today’s adult learners, many of whom are balancing work and family responsibilities. Focused on preparing students to pursue their Oregon Preliminary Teaching License, the MAT program is offered in an accelerated format — with flexible online and in-person coursework options.
What Does the Accelerated MAT Format Entail?
In WPU’s standard accelerated MAT format, coursework is delivered via synchronous class meetings with students taking one class at a time, one evening per week. Students attend classes either online or in person. Students select a specialty focus area — Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle/High School — and complete a student teaching experience. The program can be completed in approximately 22 months.
In the accelerated summer immersion format, students take a full-time course load of one- to three-week classes, mornings and afternoons, from May to August. Students attend these synchronous class meetings in an online environment, focusing on the Middle/High School endorsement area. This is followed by a 15-week clinical experience of student teaching in the fall semester, with the program finishing in December. Individuals opting for this format can complete the accelerated MAT program in just over seven months.
All MAT program students benefit from:
- Instruction by experienced faculty who bring real-world insights from P-12 education
- A Christian-centered curriculum that emphasizes ethical leadership
- The support of WPU’s Learning Communities cohort model, which fosters strong professional connections and personalized attention from instructors
What Can You Do With an MAT Degree?
A Master of Arts in Teaching degree opens the door to a variety of fulfilling careers in education. Most commonly, individuals earn an MAT to prepare for teaching roles in P-12 classrooms, with the MAT program equipping them with the necessary credentials and hands-on experience to become licensed educators in public, private, and charter schools.
With further experience or certification, however, many MAT degree graduates pursue roles beyond traditional teaching, such as:
- Specialized instructional positions, such as literacy or STEM specialist roles, in which they support student learning in a key subject area
- Roles in curriculum development, educational consulting, or instructional coaching, helping to shape teaching methodologies and policies at the school or district level
- Administrative positions, including as department chairs or school principals
Furthermore, the skills gained through the program — such as classroom management, student engagement strategy, and assessment development skills — are transferable to roles in corporate training, nonprofit education programs, or ed-tech companies.
Whether you want to work in the classroom or beyond it, earning an MAT can provide you with the knowledge and expertise you need to make a meaningful impact in education.
Master of Arts in Teaching Careers
Earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree can lead to any of a range of careers. Top educator career outcomes for graduates with an MAT degree include the following:
| Elementary School Teacher | Middle School Teacher | High School Teacher |
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While an online MAT degree program can help individuals prepare to teach in states across the U.S., the WPU Online MAT degree program is focused on helping individuals prepare to become teachers in Oregon and to obtain an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License. Oregon is currently experiencing a significant teacher shortage, with hundreds of open positions across the state.
To receive an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License:
- The candidate must have completed a teacher preparation program and must qualify for at least one endorsement.
- WPU must have submitted a program completion report.
- The candidate must meet all requirements concerning knowledge of U.S. and Oregon civil rights laws and professional ethics.
- The candidate must agree to a background clearance.
- The candidate must submit a complete and correct application and payment of all fees.
Master of Arts in Teaching Salary Information
Earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree can enhance your qualifications and potentially lead to higher salaries in the education field.
Here are the median annual salaries for roles commonly sought by MAT graduates, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Elementary School Teacher | Middle School Teacher | High School Teacher |
| $63,670 | $64,290 | $65,220 |
Individual educators’ salaries can vary based on factors such as their job title, experience, and location. Additionally, pursuing further certifications or taking on leadership responsibilities within an educational institution can also impact an individual’s earning potential.
Accelerated MAT Degree Curriculum: Online and In-Person
All candidates for WPU’s MAT degree must complete at least 35 credits of coursework, with at least 30 credits completed at WPU with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and no individual course grade lower than a C-. All classroom work and student teaching must be completed within 30 months of the student’s start date.
Program requirements include:
- 17 credits of core education courses
- 8 credits of early childhood/elementary courses or 8 credits of middle/high school courses
- 10 credits of student teaching and seminar courses
To fulfill the above requirements, students may transfer credits for up to two courses, provided they were earned in the past five years and the request was made in writing prior to the start of the program.
Students who complete all of the program requirements are eligible for an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License. The program curriculum is approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSRC), accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and aligns with Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards.
Prerequisites
MAT students must have successfully completed prerequisite courses in human development and learning theory prior to beginning the methods (ED 571A-ED 577A) and student teaching (ED 690A – 692A) courses.
Education Core Courses (35 Credits)
- ED 551A | Foundations of Education | 1 credit
- ED 555A | Urban Education & Diverse/ Exceptional Learners | 3 credits
- ED 535A | Curriculum Planning & Instruction | 3 credits
- ED 596A | Assessment & Evaluation | 3 credits
- ED 661A | Education Research | 3 credits
- ED 573A | ESOL Instruction for Classroom Teachers | 2 credits
- ED 515A | Classroom Management | 2 credits
Early Childhood/Elementary Track Courses
Students who choose the Early Childhood/Elementary course of study gain an endorsement in multiple subjects. The Early Childhood/Elementary track is only available to students enrolled in the standard accelerated MAT format.
- ED 571A | Art/PE/Music in the PK-8 Classroom | 2 credits
- ED 572A | Math & Science in the PK-8 Classroom | 3 credits
- ED 574A | Literacy & Social Studies in the PK-8 Classroom | 3 credits
Middle/High School Track Courses
Students who choose the Middle/High School course of study gain an endorsement in English language arts, advanced math, biology, social studies, or health. The Middle/High School track is available to students enrolled in either the standard accelerated MAT format or the full-time summer MAT format. The full-time summer MAT also includes physical education as an endorsement area option.
- ED 577A | Educational Trends in Middle & High School | 2 credits
- ED 575A | Literacy in the Content Area | 3 credits
- ED 576A | Instructional Methods for Middle & High School | 3 credits
Clinical Experiences and Seminar Courses
A candidate who has earned a minimum 3.0 GPA for all classroom work is eligible to begin student teaching. A placement coordinator from the Warner Pacific Education Department will work with local school districts to secure a classroom placement for eligible students.
- ED 690A | Student Teaching I with Seminar | 3 credits
- ED 691A | Student Teaching Ia | 3 credits
- ED 692A | Student Teaching Ib | 4 credits
Along with academic and clinical work, students must successfully complete all Oregon state required assessments to qualify for licensure.
MAT Degree Program Admission Requirements
Candidates interested in applying to WPU’s accelerated MAT program must:
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Supply official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all higher education coursework
- Submit an academic paper on a current issue in any field of study
- Submit three recommendations on the required form
- Submit a goal statement on the required form
- Successfully complete an interview with WPU’s Education Department
- Have already taken prerequisite courses in human lifespan development and learning theory
- Submit fingerprints to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and have them cleared
Discover more about our admissions and program requirements in our course catalog.
Learn More About WPU’s Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching Degree
Rooted in the university’s Christian values, the MAT program offered by WPU and WPU Online prioritizes moral integrity and service, preparing future educators to address the diverse needs of students in a multifaceted society.
If you’re interested in making a difference in your community and influencing future generations, start by enrolling in WPU’s accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching program. To learn more, contact PGS Admissions at 800.804.1510, or request additional information today.
Questions?
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