About the MAT Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program is designed for students who wish to earn secondary teacher certification. Successful completion of the program entitles a candidate to be recommended for Maryland Teaching Certification in specific subject areas, including: English, History, Social Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Science, and four World Language subjects** - Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, and Spanish.

The MAT program is a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) state-approved program and is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Teacher Preparation (AAQEP) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The focus of the program is on producing teacher candidates who can demonstrate research-based and practice validated strategies for teaching and learning, teach subject matter to a diverse student body, analyze their practice for effectiveness in promoting student learning and integrate technology to promote personal and student growth. The UMGC Department of Education Conceptual Framework guides and supports the mission of the program.

Learn more about UMGC's MAT program by exploring this site, as well as by visiting the UMGC MAT program page at http://www.umgc.edu/academic-programs/masters-degrees/teaching.cfm

Access admission information and forms, effective Fall 2022, on the MAT Admission Information page.

Please view the 10-minute MAT Program Orientation for an overview of the program and its requirements.

Students interested in the option that allows undergraduate students to take up to the first 12 credits of the MAT program while working on their bachelor's degree can learn more by viewing our Vertical Pathways information sheet.

We also invite you to watch the video below featuring MAT alumna Yolonda Body in her classroom and discussing the impact of the MAT on her teaching and her students.

** Please note that while Maryland state certification to teach world languages is valid for grades pre-K through 12, the MAT program focuses on teaching at the secondary school level.