The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program offers preparation and certification in Elementary Teaching, Secondary Teaching, and All-Level Music. All students entering one of the teaching programs must have earned a bachelor’s degree. For elementary, a broad core content basis for the degree is required. For secondary, students must possess a bachelor’s or higher degree in the subject area that they plan to teach or participate in a transcript review with an Education adviser to identify an approved teaching field. Supplemental certificates in Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) are also available. The Master of Arts in Teaching program is cohort-based and consists of a summer, fall, and spring semester. The program consists of coursework and field-based preparation for the integration of theory and practice. Upon successful completion, students will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree as well as state certification.
Certification for Elementary Education
Students seeking certification to teach at the Early Childhood-Grade 6 level should complete any academic major and other requirements, as follows:
Note: An asterisk (*) indicates a course that fulfills a common curriculum requirement.
I. Education Course of Study
- Teaching Core Courses (required): EDUC-1331* and EDUC-3320*.
- Elementary Pathway Courses (required): EDUC-2201, EDUC-3301, EDUC-3341, and EDUC-3351.
- Technology Applications: CSCI-1300 or equivalency (required).
- Minor in Teaching Elementary Pathway is highly recommended.
II. Teaching Fields/Area of Certification
Students seeking elementary certification will be certified to teach Early Childhood to Grade 6 (EC-6) at the end of the MAT program. At the undergraduate level students complete (1) a major (2) the Trinity Pathways curriculum, and (3) required courses for the elementary path (see above). Completing the MAT program is the final step to being recommended for certification and at the end of the program students receive both the degree and certification. The minor is recommended but not required. Post baccalaureate students who did not complete their undergraduate degree at Trinity will work with the department to complete the MAT prerequisites.
Certification for Secondary Education
Students seeking certification to teach at the secondary grades (grades 7-12) in Texas should complete the following undergraduate requirements: Note: An asterisk (*) indicates a course that fulfills a common curriculum requirement.
I. Education Course of Study
- Teaching Core Courses (required): EDUC-1331* and EDUC-3320*.
- Secondary Teaching Pathway Courses (required): EDUC-2202 and EDUC-3302.
- Technology Applications: CSCI-1300 or equivalency (required).
- Minor in Teaching (Secondary Pathway) is highly recommended but not required.
II. Teaching Fields/Area of Certification
Students seeking secondary certification (grades 7-12 or EC-12 depending on the state certificate) will be certified in one or more teaching fields (the content area) at the end of the Master of Arts in Teaching graduate program. At the undergraduate level, students must complete a major in order to graduate from the university. This major (and additional courses where noted) forms the basis of the requirements for the teaching field and prepares students for the certification content exam. Students may complete more than one major (with any additional content area requirements) in order to attain certification in more than one area. Students need at least one teaching field from among the certificate fields listed below as well as the required education coursework. Trinity only offers certification in the fields listed. Students with a major other than their intended teaching field should speak with the program director or our certification coordinator about certification options.
Courses listed after the major have been identified as important courses that meet the content standards for Texas certification. Some students will be able to take these courses within the major (“including”), while other students should consider taking the courses in addition to the major (“recommended”).
Certification Areas:
- Art EC-12 Certification
- Chinese Early Childhood—Grade 12 Certification
- Chinese Studies Major
- All language candidates must pass an oral proficiency exam given by the Education Department for program admission.
- Chemistry 7-12 Certification
- Chemistry Major, recommend the following: EDUC-3342 (not required)
- Computer Science 8-12 Certification
- Computer Science Major, recommend the following: CSCI-3343
(Note: CSCI-1307 is required of all candidates for certification, including Computer Science candidates.)
- Computer Science Major, recommend the following: CSCI-3343
- English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 Certification
- French Early Childhood—Grade 12 Certification
- French Major
- All language candidates must pass an oral proficiency exam given by the Education Department for program admission.
- German Early Childhood—Grade 12 Certification
- German Major, recommend the following: GERM-3305*
- All language candidates must pass an oral proficiency exam given by the Education Department for program admission.
- History 7-12 Certification
- History Major, recommend the following: HIST-3376 and HIST-3388, plus 1 course from U.S. History, 1 course from European History, and at least 1 course each from 3 of the following 4 fields: African History, Asian History, Latin American History, and Middle East History
- Recommend: URBS-1316/SOCI-1316
- Journalism 7-12 Certification
- Latin Early Childhood—Grade 12 Certification
- Life Science 7-12 Certification
Select from one of the following options: - Mathematics 7-12 Certification
- Physical Science 6-12 Certification (Student is certified to teach Chemistry and Physics)
Select from one of the following options:- Chemistry Major
- Physics Major
- Geoscience Major
- Physics/Mathematics 7-12 Certification
Select from one of the following options: - Social Studies 7-12 Certification
Select from one of the following options:- History Major, recommend HIST-3376 and HIST-3388. Recommend: 1 course from U.S. History, 1 course from European History, and at least 1 course each from 3 of the following 4 fields: African History, Asian History, Latin American History, and Middle East History
- Economics Major, recommend: ECON-2301 and ECON-3117
- Recommend: History (HIST-3376 and HIST-3388, plus 1 course from U.S. History, 1 course from European History, and at least 1 course each from 3 of the following 4 fields: African History, Asian History, Latin American History, and Middle East History
- Recommend: Political Science (PLSI-1301* and PLSI-1331*)
- Recommend one of the following courses: URBS-1316/SOCI-1316, PSYC-1300*, or SOCI-1301*
- Political Science Major, including PLSI-1301* and PLSI-1331*
- Recommend: History (HIST-3376 and HIST-3388, plus 1 course from U.S. History, 1 course from European History, and at least 1 course each from 3 of the following 4 fields: African History, Asian History, Latin American History, and Middle East History
- Recommend: Economics (ECON-1311*, HIST-1312*, HIST-3117) [ECON-2301 and one (1) upper division economics course]
- Recommend: one of the following courses: URBS-1316/SOCI-1316, PSYC-1300*, or SOCI-1301*
- Sociology Major, including SOCI-1301*
- Recommend: History (HIST-3376 and HIST-3388, plus 1 course from U.S. History, 1 course from European History, and at least 1 course each from 3 of the following 4 fields: African History, Asian History, Latin American History, and Middle East History
- Recommend: Economics (ECON-1311*, HIST-1312*, HIST-3117) [ECON-2301 and one (1) upper division economics course]
- Recommend: Political Science (PLSI-1301* and PLSI-1331*)
- Recommend: URBS-1316/SOCI-1316 (Human Geography) or PYSC-1300
- Spanish Early Childhood—Grade 12 Certification
- Speech 7-12 Certification
- Theatre Arts EC-12 Certification
Certification for All-level Music
(Early Childhood-Grade 12) Students pursue a major in music including courses for certification. Students will be certified to teach music to students age 3 to grade 12. Students should complete the following undergraduate requirements:
I. Education Course of Study
A. 2 practicum courses are required (EDUC-2204, EDUC-2205).
B. EDUC-1331* and EDUC-3320* are required.
C. CSCI-1300* or equivalency is required.
II. Music major, including
A minimum of 72 credit hours in music. Students may choose from a choral or an instrumental option.
- Choral emphasis: MUSC-1000 (7 semesters), MUSC-1203, MUSC-1103, MUSC-1113, MUSC-1204, MUSC-1104, MUSC-1114, MUSC-2203, MUSC-2103, MUSC-2113, MUSC-2204, MUSC-2104, MUSC-2114, MUSC-3121, MUSC-3223, MUSC-3225, MUSC-3341, MUSC-3342, MUSC-4301; 18 credits of applied music in one area (14 of which must be at the level of 22-- or above); four (4) credits of applied music in a secondary area; 8 credits of large ensemble, MUSC-1161, MUSC-3162, MUSC-4321, MUSC-4361, MUSC-4363; and 1 credit of music electives.
- Instrumental emphasis: MUSC-1000 (7 semesters), MUSC-1203, MUSC-1103, MUSC-1113, MUSC-1204, MUSC-1104, MUSC-1114, MUSC-2203, MUSC-2103, MUSC-2113, MUSC-2204, MUSC-2104, MUSC-2114, MUSC-3121, MUSC-3223, MUSC-3224, MUSC-3341, MUSC-3342, MUSC-4301; 18 credits of applied music in one area (14 of which must be at the level of 22-- or above); MUSC-1122 (or 1 credit of applied music in a secondary area); 8 credits of large ensemble, MUSC-1161, MUSC-2161, MUSC-2162, MUSC-2163, MUSC-2164, MUSC-4264, MUSC-4361, MUSC-4362; and 2 credits of music electives.
- Elementary emphasis: MUSC-1000 (7 semesters), MUSC-1203, MUSC-1103, MUSC-1113, MUSC-1204, MUSC-1104, MUSC-1114, MUSC-2203, MUSC-2103, MUSC-2113, MUSC-2204, MUSC-2104, MUSC-2114, MUSC-3121, MUSC-3223, MUSC-3224 or MUSC-3225, MUSC-3341, MUSC-3342, MUSC-4301, 18 credits of applied music in one area (14 of which must be at the level of 22-- or above) and 4 credits of applied music in a secondary area, 8 credits of large ensemble, MUSC-1161, MUSC-3162, MUSC-4321, MUSC-4361, MUSC-4364, and 1 credit of music electives.
Supplemental Certification for English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education
Our program offers courses that can lead to supplemental certificates in special education and/or teaching multilingual learners/emergent bilinguals/English language learners.
I. Special Education
Students may add a supplemental certificate in Special Education by completing the following undergraduate courses (EDUC-1331*, EDUC-3330, EDUC-3333, and EDUC-3332/EDUC-3335) and specialized courses during the graduate year.
II. Teaching Multilingual Learners
Students may add a supplemental certificate in teaching English Learners by completing the following undergraduate courses: EDUC-3344, and EDUC-3345 and specialized courses during the graduate year.
Students seeking elementary or secondary certification are encouraged to pursue Special Education and/or ESL supplemental certification. In secondary, the supplemental certificate attaches to the content area certificate.
Fifth Year Graduate Course of Study
The fifth year of the M.A.T. program consists of a summer session and two semesters (30 hours). Upon completion of the fifth year, students receive a M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching), a professional degree.
Those students seeking Certification EC-6
I. During the graduate year of study, students in general education will complete the following: Summer: EDUC-5350, EDUC-5351, EDUC-5353; Fall: EDUC-5339, EDUC-5360, EDUC-5661; Spring: EDUC-5263, EDUC-5352, EDUC-5763.
II. During the graduate year of study, students pursuing a general education and a supplemental Special Education certificate will complete the following: Summer: EDUC-5350, EDUC-5351; Fall: EDUC-5339, EDUC-5360, EDUC-5661; Spring: EDUC-5263, EDUC-5340, EDUC-5464, EDUC-5352, EDUC-5337.
Those students seeking Secondary Certification
I. During the graduate year of study, students in general education will complete the following: Summer: EDUC-5350, EDUC-5351; Fall: EDUC-5038, EDUC-5339, EDUC-5370, EDUC-5671; Spring: EDUC-5273, EDUC-5338, EDUC-5352, EDUC-5773.
II. During the graduate year of study, students pursuing a supplemental certificate will complete one additional seminar (EDUC-5340) and additional/enhanced MAT experiences.
Those students seeking Certification All-Level Music
During the graduate year of study, students in general education will complete the following: EDUC-5038, EDUC-5338, EDUC-5339, EDUC-5349, EDUC-5350, EDUC-5351, EDUC-5346, EDUC-5647, and EDUC-5948.
Application for Certification
It is necessary to apply for a Texas teacher certificate through the Texas Education Agency upon completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching program. This process will be facilitated by the Department of Education. Application for certification will be made during the semester in which the student completes degree requirements. There is potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate, however, the individual has a right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from TEA.
All Teacher and Administrator Preparation Program graduates applying for state certification must pass examinations for certification and pay all applicable fees. Candidates in the School Psychology program are required to take and pass the Praxis examination in order to complete their national accreditation.
-
Students apply to the M.A.T. program in the fall or spring of their senior year (by the published deadline) or as post-baccalaureate candidates if they have an earned bachelor’s degree or higher. Candidates submit a single, combined electronic application for admission to both the M.A.T. program and Trinity University Graduate Studies. The online application is available at https://admissions.trinity.edu/apply/.
In addition to completing the online application, other items required for consideration for entry to the program include:
- Required Education courses for the elementary program are: EDUC-1331, EDUC-3320, EDUC-2201, EDUC-3301, EDUC-3341, EDUC-3351, and CSCI-1300 or equivalent. Required Education courses for the secondary program are: EDUC-1331, EDUC-3320, EDUC-2202, EDUC-3302, and CSCI-1300 or equivalent. Required Education courses for the All-Level Music program are: EDUC-1331, EDUC-3320, EDUC-2204, EDUC-2205, and CSCI-1300 or equivalent. Please note that students may apply without all prerequisite coursework completed; however, all requirements must be completed by July 1st before the M.A.T. program begins.
- Official transcripts documenting a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher overall, and/or on the last 60 undergraduate hours; and in major coursework (GPAs of 2.75 – 2.99 can be considered for provisional admission through an exceptions process and will possibly require additional coursework or assessment).
- Official GRE score report (if applicable). Currently enrolled Trinity students and applicants possessing a bachelor’s degree from Trinity and/or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution are exempt from this requirement.
- Four (4) references obtained via the online application process, with one from each of the following categories: (a) a faculty advisor within the applicant’s major and/or proposed teaching field; (b) an education professor who has overseen the applicant’s field experience or coursework; (c) an individual who has observed the applicant’s work with children or youth; and (d) an individual who has supervised the applicant in a job or volunteer position.
- A group interview process as well as an individual interview with a faculty panel.
- Written essay completed at the time of the interview.
- Demonstration of deep content knowledge via transcript review and/or exam scores. Depending upon the strength of a candidate’s content preparation in his/her proposed teaching field, the university may request that a candidate take the TExES exam for his/her respective content teaching area to demonstrate the content area proficiency required by the State of Texas for teaching certification. If accommodations are required for any part of the application process due to a special learning need, please provide documentation to the Education Department in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Please note that all candidates admitted to the M.A.T. program will be required to pass a criminal background check with the local school district in which they will intern before receiving an internship placement. Failure to pass this background check will result in the candidate’s dismissal from the program since significant coursework is required to be completed within the assigned school setting. As part of the admission process, candidates will be asked to sign a statement indicating their understanding of this requirement. There is potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate, however, the individual has a right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from TEA.
- Completion of or a plan for completing 30 hours of approved school-based experiences (the Department of Education will coordinate this)
All application materials will be reviewed by the department and Council on Teacher Education, a multi-disciplinary university committee that serves as the admission decision-making body for the Master of Arts in Teaching program.
-
In accordance with 19 TAC 228.35(a)(5), the Department of Education at Trinity University evaluates, and may accept, military service, training, or education toward fulfillment of program prerequisite admission requirements. Military service, training, or education must be directly related to the certificate being sought and may not take the place of certification examinations. To be eligible, individuals must meet one or both of the following requirements:
- Honorably discharged from the U.S. military, or
- Completed a minimum of two years of service in the U.S. military and have been discharged as a result of a service-related disability.
For more information, contact the Department of Education at education@trinity.edu or (210) 999-7501.
Applicants should include a Joint Services Transcript or other verifiable documentation of military service, training, or education with their application to graduate study.
Applicants who are not military service members or military veterans can request the Department of Education to evaluate previous service, training, or education toward fulfillment of program prerequisite admission requirements. Service, training, or education may not count as part of internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, must be directly related to the certificate being sought, and must be provided by an approved EPP or accredited institution of higher education within the past five years. Applicants should include official transcripts or other verifiable documentation with their application to graduate study.
We're here to help!
Our team of expert academic advisers are ready to provide guidance and support.