Master of Arts in Teaching

Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a field taught in high school (or a closely related field)? Do you have an interest in teaching? If the answer to both questions is yes, you may earn your teaching certificate and a Master of Arts in Teaching in as little as one year. This program is approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as an Alternative Certification Program.

How does the M.A.T. program work?

Jewell's program helps you apply your existing professional knowledge and experience to teaching. You'll work in school classrooms immediately and learn how to teach students effectively from experienced master teachers.

The Timeframe

• Full-time program starts June 1 and can be completed in one calendar year.
• Part-time program can be started at any time and can be completed in two years or less.
• Evening, weekend and hybrid classes accommodate adult learner schedules.

The Program

• Full-time Jewell Education professors work closely with you to mentor and support coursework, fieldwork, student teaching and beyond.  
• Can be done in one or two years, depending upon your schedule and desired pace of study.
• Includes both undergraduate and graduate coursework to achieve teacher certification and completion of the graduate degree.
• Cost is $500/credit hour.
• Candidates must pass the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) before the end of your first semester in the program validate your content knowledge.

The Outcome

In addition to achieving teacher certification and a master's degree, you'll be part of a successful, highly reputable program. Jewell teacher education graduates are highly sought by school districts and have had a 100% teaching job placement rate for the past six years and a 90%+ 15-year placement rate. 

Teacher Certifications

Jewell's M.A.T. Program offers certifications for high school teaching in these areas (in which you already have a closely related baccalaureate degree):

• Art (K-12)
• Biology (9-12)
• Business (9-12)
• Communication (Teach Speech & Theatre 9-12)
• Chemistry (9-12)
• Chinese (K-12)
• Earth Science (9-12)
• English (9-12)
• Family and Consumer Sciences (K-12)
• French (K-12)
• German (K-12)
• Health (K-12)
• Journalism (9-12)
• Marketing (9-12)
• Math (9-12)
• Music - Instrumental (K-12)
• Music - Vocal (K-12)
• Physical Education (K-12)
• Physics (9-12)
• Social Science (9-12)
• Spanish (K-12)

Admission Requirements

William Jewell College seeks candidates for this program who desire to be teacher leaders. Candidates will be critical thinkers of high character who are dedicated to the profession of teaching.

To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Teaching at William Jewell College, applicants must meet the following requirements and provide appropriate documentation:

• A completed Application for Admission.
• An official transcript from a regionally-accredited college or university showing the awarding of a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree in a field that is related to the prospective teaching area.
• Official transcripts from all other colleges and universities attended, whether as an undergraduate or graduate student and whether or not credit was awarded.
• A minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0, based on a 4.0 scale, in the content area(s) most closely related to the prospective teaching field.
• Two professional letters of recommendation.
• A professional résumé/curriculum vitae.
• Complete a structured teacher interview.
• Submit a timeline and plan for passing the Missouri State Content Assessment (MoCA) in the prospective teaching field. The MoCA must be passed prior to the end of the first semester in the program. [It is in your best interest to pass the MoCA prior to starting the program. Enroll at your own risk until the MoCA is passed because this test is required for Missouri teacher certification.]