What do I need to start taking courses?

Complete the admissions requirements listed on the Graduate Licensure Program Checklist.

How long does the program take?

Length of the self paced program varies depending on the number of courses a student elects to take each semester. The majority of MAT students complete the program in 2-2 1/2 years if they attend summer school.

How long do I have to complete the program?

A student must complete the MAT program within eight years. Courses are only good for eight years at master's level.

How many hours per semester do most students take?

The majority of students take 6-12 hours per semester.

I work full-time. Are there many evening courses?

Yes. Most, if not all, courses are offered in the evening.

What do I put for the Degree-Seeking section of the Graduate Application?

• Degree: Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
• Department: Instruction and Curriculum Leadership
• Major: Instruction and Curriculum Leadership
• Concentration: select either,
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
  • Secondary
  • Special Education

What are the deadlines for applying to be degree seeking in the MAT program?

April 1st for Summer/Fall     October 1st for Spring

What tests are required to become degree seeking?

Praxis I PPST (all sections)

Praxis II Content Knowledge Exam for your licensure area

How many times can I take it? There is no limit on the number of times a student may take a test. Some tests have a prescribed time period before you are allowed to retake, others are only offered certain times.

Where do I sign up?

• Praxis I PPST is offered Monday – Saturday at the Testing Center, you can call 678-1457 to schedule the test.
• Praxis II Content Knowledge Exams are only given 7 times a year. Visit www.ets.org to learn more about the Praxis II Exam Series and to register for a test.

• Please send all score reports to institution codes 1459 and 8190.

What's the difference between degree and non-degree?

Non-degree status is granted to any student who has obtained a baccalaureate degree. This status indicated that a student is taking graduate courses but not pursuing a particular master's degree. Degree seeking status is granted when a student has met all Graduate School and Departmental admissions requirements.

How do I switch from non-degree to degree seeking?

To switch to degree seeking status follow the admissions information in the Graduate Licensure Program Checklist

How many hours may I take as a non-degree student?

One third of graduate coursework, taken as a non-degree student, may be accepted in the degree program providing acceptable grades are earned. This equates to 15 graduate hours for Early Childhood and Elementary, 12 graduate hours for Secondary and Special Education.

How many C's may I earn?

A graduate student may count 7 semester graduate hours of C's in a graduate program, but MUST maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to graduate.

What is a transcript evaluation?

Your undergraduate transcripts are evaluated to determine whether basic general education courses, which are required for licensure by the state of Tennessee, have been taken. The analysis specifies deficiencies, if any. This will only be done after the TEP application has been processed.

How do I get my transcripts evaluated?

• Submit the TEP application along with a copy of an unofficial transcript after registering for your first semester of coursework.
• Once the application is processed the evaluation will be done.

Will the evaluation be mailed to me?

Once the evaluation is completed a Transcript Evaluation Form will be mailed to you. You will need to keep it in a safe place until you apply to student teach or until you apply for “Experience In Lieu of Student Teaching”. You will need to include a copy of the form with either of those applications.

Can I receive credit for education courses I have already taken, either at U of M or at another institution?

Credit may be issued for education courses taken prior to entrance to the MAT program IF:

• The student earned a grade of A or B in the course
• The course was taken within the last 7 (seven) years
• The course matches the course description of a corresponding course in the MAT program.

Are these prerequisites for starting the graduate program?

No. Deficiencies identified on the transcript evaluation must be satisfied prior to student teaching but may be taken along with the MAT coursework.

Why wasn't I given credit for ______ course?

• Questions regarding the transcript evaluation should be directed to the ICL Graduate Advisor.
• Questions regarding the course substitutions should be directed to the Director of Teacher Education.

General TEP Questions?

• Teacher Education Program (TEP)

What happens if I am not admitted to TEP?

Students may not enroll in level II classes until they have been accepted to TEP. They must be accepted to TEP one full semester before student teaching.

When should I apply to TEP?

It is recommended that students apply to TEP after registering for their first semester of courses or by the deadline of their first semester.

January 31^st for spring          September 15^th for fall            No summer deadline

What Praxis II Exam do I take?

• Two parts: Principles of Learning and Teaching and the Specialty Area, which may consist of 2-3 tests.
• Principles of Learning and Teaching K-6 is required for candidates seeking licensure in early childhood, elementary, or early childhood special education.
• Candidates seeking licensure in secondary education must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching 7-12.
• Candidates seeking licensure in K-12, Pre K-12, or middle grades 5-8 areas may chose from any of the PLT exams.
• For a full list of Praxis II Exams please go to the Praxis website for Tennessee.

When do I take the test?

The Praxis I PPST and the Praxis II Content Knowledge Exam required for your licensure area are required to be admitted to TEP and the MAT program. They must be completed before the application deadlines. The other required Praxis II exams must be completed before you can apply for your license.

What are the minimum scores?

Visit the Praxis website for Tennessee.

What do I do with my scores?

When you sign up for the exams please make sure to send your scores to Institution Codes: 1459 and 8190. Keep your personal copy in a safe place. When applying for student teaching and for your teacher’s license you will be required to submit a copy of your scores.

Can I teach before I get my license?

Both Memphis City and Shelby County Schools hire non-licensed teachers on alternative licenses for high-need areas. These hiring decisions are determined by the respective school system. The system will specify the steps necessary to maintain employment. For more information on Type II Alternative licenses please visit the website.

Do I still have to student teach?

In order to waive student teaching, one must teach for 2 years on an alternative license and complete the Consideration Of Experience In Lieu Of Student Teaching packet.

When can I do my student teaching semester?

You must have all licensure coursework completed before you are cleared to student teach. You will complete both courses listed in the Level 3 section of the Self Managed Advising Sheet at the same time. You must submit and application by the deadline in your last semester of coursework. Student teaching is only done in the Spring and Fall semesters.

Where can I find more information about student teaching and the application process?

Information about student teaching can be found at the Student Teaching website.

What are the deadlines for applying to student teach?

The deadlines for student teaching applications are as follows:

Spring - the 3^rd Monday in October

Fall - the 3^rd Monday in March

When do I take my Level 4 course on the Self Managed Advising Sheet?

EDPR 7521 is a prerequisite to ICL 7992 and ICL 7996. It must be completed before you will be cleared to register for either the Project or Thesis. You can take EDPR 7521 with your level 1 or 2 courses. You have to take ICL 7992 the semester you plan to graduate. ICL 7996 the Thesis option to the Masters degree takes most students 2 to 3 semesters to complete. You can start it before student teaching, but you can not take it during your student teaching semester. You can register for it again the semester after student teaching and then graduate once you have completed it.

What do I have to do in order to graduate?

• Submit the electronic Intent to Graduate form to the Graduate School.
• Complete the Master's Candidacy form.
• • Students who completed student teaching will give the form to Deborah Lowther the Graduate Coordinator, in 400 Ball Hall, the coordinator will sign it and forward the form for the rest of the signatures and then send it to Graduate School.
  • Students who completed experience in lieu of student teaching will submit their form along with their “in lieu of” packet to Mary Lanier in 202 Ball Hall, she will forward it on to the Graduate Coordinator.
  • MAT students will not have a Major Advisor Signature on the Masters Degree Candidacy Form.
• These forms must be submitted early in the semester in which you plan to graduate. Turning in forms after the deadline will prevent you from graduating.

What are the deadlines?

Deadlines for required documents for graduation are listed at: http://academics.memphis.edu/gradschool/graduation.html. 

What is the difference between the Intent to Graduate form and the Master's Candidacy form?

• The Intent to Graduate form notifies Graduate School that you are eligible to graduate at the end of the semester. IF YOU DO NOT MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS THE SEMESTER THAT THE FORM IS FILED, YOU MUST SUBMIT ANOTHER FORM WITH THE GRADUATE SCHOOL WHEN YOU PLAN TO GRADUATE. You will not have to resubmit a Master's Candidacy form.
• The Master's Candidacy form includes the name, date, and earned grade of every course taken in the MAT program. Courses taken to satisfy undergraduate deficiencies, education courses taken at other universities, or undergraduate education courses ARE NOT LISTED on this form. The Graduate Coordinator’s signature verifies that you have satisfied all requirements in the MAT program.