Secondary Education - M.A.T.

Application and admission to the Secondary/Multi-age MAT program involves two complementary but distinct phases.

The first phase involves admission as a post-undergraduate non-degree seeking student. A content evaluation (transcript review) completed by the Graduate Academic Advisor in EHS (unless noted) determines what prior coursework, if any, can be applied to the intended content area/licensure. The remaining undergraduate content area coursework required for licensure is taken at your own pace prior to beginning the coursework in the MAT program. Almost all potential MAT candidates can expect that they will need additional prerequisite undergraduate courses prior to the MAT. It is a matter of how many hours are required, and this is dependent upon coursework taken in your prior degree program and how closely these courses align with the content courses required in your intended content area/licensure concentration. Most candidates can expect 2-4 semesters of content coursework prior to admission to the one-year MAT program. In part, this is because the licensure requirements for most degrees prepare educators to teach more than one subject in a discipline - for example, integrated social studies teachers are licensed to teach geography, economics, government, psychology, political science, sociology and history. There is coursework related to each of these disciplines to fulfill the licensure requirements. This is true in the other integrated and multiage licenses, as well.

MAT candidates completing undergraduate content coursework and enrolled at Kent State as a post-undergraduate non-degree seeking student, may qualify for undergraduate loans if they did not reach aggregate loan limits during their bachelor’s degree program. The undergraduate content courses are considered prerequisites to a graduate or professional degree program; however, there is a ONE-YEAR limit of financial aid eligibility. These students must be enrolled at least half time (minimum 6 hours per term), and must complete the FAFSA and submit the Program of Study form (financial aid form for non-degree students - see also Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center: Forms and Requests).  Please list Erin Harwood (eharwood@kent.edu), Academic Program Director as the "advisor" on the form. For further information on financial aid for post-undergraduate non-degree admission, please refer to Post Undergraduate-Graduate Non-Degree-Undeclared-Combined Students.

The second phase of admission is the formal application to the master’s degree program. A detailed description of the steps needed for completion of the application can be found on the page MAT Program: Application Process and Admission Requirements.

The MAT program offers Adolescent / Young Adult Education licensure (grades 7-12) in the following teaching fields:

• Integrated Social Studies
• Integrated Language Arts
• Integrated Mathematics
• Integrated Science (licensure in all science areas)
• Life Sciences (biology)
• Life Sciences / Chemistry (dual licensure in biology & chemistry)
• Chemistry / Physics (dual licensure)
• Earth Sciences

In addition, multi-age licensure (pre-K through grade 12) is available in these areas:

• Dance (through the School of Theatre & Dance) - Please contact the Dance Division Coordinator, Dr. Tony Hardin (ahardi14@kent.edu), for a content evaluation.
• Physical Education - Please contact the Physical Education and Sport Exploration Coordinator, Dr. Douglas Ellison (delliso4@kent.edu), for a content evaluation. The MAT PE program is only available in the two-year format.
• Music (through the School of Music) - Please contact the Music Education Coordinator, Dr. Jay Dorfman (jdormfa2@kent.edu), for a content evaluation. The MAT Music program is only available in the two-year format.
• Foreign Language - French, German, Latin, and Spanish (through the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies)
• Visual Arts¹ (through the School of Art) - The MAT Visual Arts program requires a minimum one-year of pre-MAT study.

¹Note: Due to the popularity of the MAT Visual Arts Education program and the sequential nature of the undergraduate pre-MAT art education courses, the School of Art has a limited number of spaces for pre-MAT candidates beginning each fall. Candidates with a completed content evaluation of prior art coursework have until May 10 each year to confirm interest with the School of Art, apply for admission or re-enroll as a post-undergraduate non-degree seeking student, and register for pre-MAT art coursework for the following fall term. After May 10, students will only be able to register if space is available.

Note: All content coursework must be completed before the start of master's classes.

Summer consists of 13 graduate hours. This coursework prepares students in the background in educational foundations, educational psychology, and general methods required to be successful in the classroom. In addition, up to 30 hours of field experiences in school settings will occur.

Fall semester consists of 13-16 semester hours of courses, focused on teaching specific content (for example, mathematics or art). In addition to these courses, there is a 100-hour field practicum required at a school, which is arranged by a faculty advisor and the Office of Clinical Experience (student teaching) at Kent State University.

Spring semester consists of full-time student teaching and 3-6 hours of courses (13-15 hours total). During student teaching, students assume the classroom responsibilities of their mentor teacher. The mentor and the Kent State student work together to discuss planning, classroom management, and professional development issues. In addition to student-teaching, students take two college courses: Seminar in Secondary Education and Research in Secondary Education.

Two important notes about the two-year MAT program

1. The final two semesters (Fall II and Spring II) require availability during daytime school hours.
2. If you are seeking federal financial aid for the MAT program, any undergraduate content courses carried into the MAT two-year program are excluded from financial aid eligibility. We do NOT recommend applying to the MAT two-year program if you are seeking financial aid. Instead we recommend enrolling at the undergraduate level as a post-undergraduate non-degree seeking student (if you have available undergraduate loan eligibility) and completing your undergraduate content hours BEFORE the MAT program begins. For further information on financial aid for post-undergraduate non-degree admission, please refer to Post Undergraduate-Graduate Non-Degree-Undeclared-Combined Students.

Summer I consists of 7 hours of courses. These include coursework in principles of secondary teaching, educational psychology, and a seminar with field-based observations and teaching activities. In addition, undergraduate coursework to fulfill licensure requirements will be completed.

Fall I includes 3-6 hours consisting of theories and practices of teaching discipline specific literacies. In addition, undergraduate coursework to fulfill licensure requirements will be completed.

Spring I consists of 3 hours on differentiating instruction. Undergraduate coursework to fulfill licensure requirements will also be completed.

Summer II consists of 7 hours related to the cultural foundations of education and the role of culture in secondary school settings. Undergraduate coursework to fulfill licensure requirements will also be completed.

Fall II consists of 7-12 hours focused on teaching specific content (i.e., English, Math). All final undergraduate coursework to fulfill licensure requirements must be completed. In addition to these courses, there is a 100-hour field practicum required at a school, which is arranged by a faculty advisor and the Office of Clinical Experience (student teaching) at Kent State University. Field Practicum hours must be completed during daytime school hours.

Spring II semester consists of full-time student teaching and 3-6 hours of courses (13-15 hours total). Full-time study is required this term. During student teaching, students assume the classroom responsibilities of their mentor teacher. The mentor and the Kent State student work together to discuss planning, classroom management, and professional development issues. In addition to student-teaching, students take two graduate courses: Seminar in Secondary Education and Research in Secondary Education (MAT PE students take this course in Spring I).