Middle Grades Education Concentration, M.A.T.

Admission Requirements

To ensure that prospective teachers applying to the M.A.T program offered by the Watson School of Education know the content they will be teaching, applicants seeking admission to the M.A.T program in middle grades education are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

1. An application for graduate admission
2. Official copies of transcripts of college work (graduate and undergraduate)
3. Official scores on Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Exam
4. Three recommendations by individuals in relevant professional fields
5. In addition to materials required as part of the Graduate School application process, a letter of interest describing commitment to the teaching profession, prior experiences working with young adolescents, prior experiences in middle level schools, and philosophy of teaching and learning
6. A passing score on a discipline-specific PRAXIS II exam as approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) in the applicant‘s desired concentration area. The PRAXIS II test numbers and passing scores are listed in the table below:

Candidates for the M.A.T program are strongly urged to have teaching experience documented before they apply in order to be knowledgeable about education in middle level schools and working with young adolescents. Such experience may include substitute teaching, part-time teaching, or volunteer work. A score of 400 on the Miller Analogies Test (or a 1000 combined score on the GRE Verbal and Quantitative sections) and an undergraduate grade average of “B” (GPA = 3.0) are minimum requirements for graduate admission. However, admissions decisions are based upon several factors, and where other indicators of success warrant, individuals who fall below the established criterion in one of the areas may be considered for admission.

A bachelor‘s degree must be completed before graduate study begins. The admissions process for this program may require an interview. Final selection will be based upon consideration of academic record, test scores, writing samples, recommendations, and possible interview performance.

APPLICATION DEADLINES: June 15th for fall admission, October 15th for spring, March 15th for summer.

NOTE: Licensure requirements change and requirements must be adjusted to accommodate new mandated competencies and guidelines.

Degree Requirements

The program leading to the Master of Arts degree (M.A.T.) in middle grades education seeks to prepare candidates for teaching young adolescents and addresses the North Carolina professional teaching standards, the masters/advanced competencies which include standards in instructional expertise, knowledge of learners, research expertise, connecting subject matter and learners, and professional development and leadership, as well as the North Carolina standards for middle school teachers. In addition, the program addresses the National Middle School Association‘s (NMSA) programmatic standards for initial teacher preparation. Finally, the program incorporates the conceptual framework which is common to all teacher education programs at UNCW: The Watson School of Education develops highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.

In order to better address candidates‘ needs the program is divided into two phases: