LSU launches redesigned Master of Arts in Teaching degree for grades 6-12

11/11/2020

BATON ROUGE - LSU is launching its redesigned Master of Arts in Teaching for Grades 6-12. The new format allows professionals with a bachelor’s degree to accept salaried teaching position with a provisional license while simultaneously enrolling in coursework toward their master's and teacher certification.

male science teacher with studentsIn the Fall of 2019 Louisiana superintendents and principals identified the most significant challenge as unavailability of qualified personnel, specifically principals and teachers. Principals noted a significant shortage of effective personnel, especially certified educators. The School of Education has re-designed the Master of Art in Teaching, or MAT, program to both assist in meeting the needs of Louisiana school districts and working adults looking to make a career change. Across Louisiana, schools need professional educators. According to the Educator Workforce Review  in 2019 there were more than 9,300 teachers who were working out-of-field or were uncertified.

“The timing for this important programmatic shift could not be better. Due to COVID.19, our world is realizing just how essential our teachers are. The Master of Arts in Teaching for grades 6-12 helps place teachers in schools with critical shortages – namely middle and high school math and science classrooms – while receiving world-class teacher preparation from Louisiana’s flagship university. Our goal is to prepare teacher leaders for a career in the classroom, inspiring future generations to reach their full potential,” said LSU School of Education Director Neil Mathews, PhD.

This program is a rigorous 15-month graduate program leading to a Louisiana teaching certificate in grades 6 – 12 and the MAT degree. Established in 1990, this program prepares teachers at the graduate level in grades 6 - 12 subjects (English, mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, and physics).

Candidates take much of the coursework in subject-area cohorts. Upon enrolling in an MAT program, candidates apply for a full-time teaching job with provisional licensure (PL3). Candidates teach full-time (receiving a salary) during the fall and spring while completing coursework. The Office of Professional Experiences within the LSU School of Education may assist in finding full-time teaching positions. The MAT program is also available to current college students finishing their undergraduate studies.

 

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Teaching Grades 6-12

 

About SOE
The LSU School of Education (SOE) offers graduate and undergraduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Research, and Counseling, including two completely online master’s programs. SOE offers a range of professional and academic degree programs that focus on preparing students for careers in education, research, policy formation and implementation, as well as program oversight. The School’s mission is to prepare P-12 educational professionals to be leaders, practitioners, and scholars knowledgeable in contemporary educational issues. SOE is part of the College of Human Sciences & Education. Visit the School of Education at lsu.edu/education.

Additional links:

 

 

Contact Mary P. Woods
LSU College of Human Sciences & Education
mpwoods@lsu.edu 

 

LSU