Master of Arts in Teaching degree approved
CHADRON – The Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education has approved a proposal for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree to be offered by all three Nebraska State College System campuses. CSC will begin offering MAT courses starting this summer. The degree program will be added to the catalog in the Fall 2025.
According to Dr. Grant Sasse, Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences, the MAT will allow an individual who holds a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education to complete the requirements for initial teacher certification without pursuing an additional bachelor’s degree to complete certification requirements.
The master’s degree, which can be completed in two years, will be offered online, except for one semester of student teaching experience for six credit hours. Eighteen graduate level credit hours will be core coursework and 18 graduate level credit hours will be electives. Additional courses in endorsement areas, at the undergraduate or graduate level, may be required to meet certification requirements. Many in-person endorsement courses are available for student interested in on-campus courses.
The proposal stated that research suggests numerous individuals will be interested in the program because employed teachers will be able to continue to work while pursuing the degree and financial aid could be available.
The MAT degree program could reduce teacher shortages in the state by facilitating individuals earning a teaching credential under the Nebraska Department of Education’s (NDE) Alternative Program Teaching Permit where individuals with a bachelor’s degree can be hired as classroom teachers by meeting requirements in one of seven pathways.
NDE data showed that in 2023, 218 individuals were teaching under a Transitional Teaching Permit and 315 were teaching under an Alternative Program Teaching Permit.
Category: Campus News, Education