Master of arts (M.A.)
About the program
This program offers a unique opportunity to earn both a teaching certification for grades 7-12 and a master’s degree within a cohorted, 13-month program. Using dynamic and relevant curriculum with a focus on culturally responsive instruction, full-time faculty model learner-centered instructional practices. Candidates experience learning in a supportive cohort community of learners. A full year internship provides candidates with extensive personalized support from mentor teachers as well as program faculty. Secondary education candidates can enter this program through two main pipelines: WMU pre-education undergraduate content degree with an education focus, or with a content degree from WMU or an outside accredited institution.
Program strengths
- Increased emphasis on integration of pedagogy, methods and content-area skills
- Bachelor's degree in subject area provides extensive content knowledge
- One-year intensive master's degree format
- Yearlong, supervised internship experience from the start of the public school year in August through the end of the school year in June
- Cohort program of 25 or fewer students led by full-time faculty members utilizing a team teaching approach
- Structured co-teaching models with mentor teacher to increase support
- The College of Arts and Sciences provides the liberal arts core of the university, offering academic programs in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.
- Our knowledgeable and supportive faculty will prepare candidates for a lifetime of innovating, adapting, learning and leading through immersive learning experiences.
Program structure
The MAT in Secondary Education is a thirteen-month intensive cohorted program of study that includes coursework in foundations of education and pedagogy, as well as a year-long clinical experience in local schools.
View the program structure.
Pathways to the WMU MAT in Secondary Education Program
Because this program is a post-baccalaureate degree, there are different pathways for admission. The undergraduate pathway includes WMU undergraduates (e.g., current undergraduates, incoming freshman and transfer students) who plan to earn a BS prior to pursuing a teacher certification may engage in education-related exploration in their CAS program to prepare for application to the program. Candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree may apply after a transcript evaluation to determine whether their completed coursework meets the requirements of the content area program to which they are applying.
The post-baccalaureate pathway is for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution who plan to pursue teacher certification. The pathway for post-baccalaureate candidates involves choosing a teachable subject area(s) and having transcripts reviewed for approved discipline coursework. Completion of the 13-month master’s degree in secondary education leads to both the degree as well as recommendation to the state of Michigan for teacher certification.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completion of discipline coursework equivalent to a Michigan Department of Education approved secondary education initial certification program (Transcript evaluation will determine if additional discipline-area coursework is needed.)
- Passing score on the Content Area Test (MTTC) for the appropriate secondary education discipline
- For foreign language certification, passing score on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of Advanced Low or higher
- An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 = A)
- Completion of ES 2000 or 7+ hours of teacher contact in a public school setting. Completion of ED 3200 and ED 4200 or 30+ hours of student contact in a public school setting.
- Written essay reflecting on experiences with students and teachers in the field.
- Interview