Secondary Education, Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Program

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Robert Smith

The combined program in secondary education is designed to provide qualified students the means to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, science, history, English, or a related field, and a master’s degree in secondary education in a period of five years. The key feature of the program is that students take undergraduate courses in the major and education courses at the graduate level (plus 6 hours of graduate level content). Students apply to the Graduate School in the fall of their junior year to begin graduate coursework in the spring semester.

To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled at UNCW in a B.A. or B.S. program in mathematics, science, history, English, or related field. Additionally, students must have

1. Completed a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours in the undergraduate program leading toward a major in mathematics, science, history, English, or related field, including credits earned from advanced placement if they start at UNCW, or have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student with a minimum of 24 hours for transfer students.
2. Completed a minimum of 9 hours of undergraduate courses at the 300-400 level in the degree content area at the time of application.
3. Demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of submission of application to the Graduate School.

Students who meet the above criteria may request permission from the department chair in the Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations, and Secondary Education to apply for up to 6 hours of graduate level credit earned during the senior year to be applied to the MAT degree with specialization in Secondary Education. Departmental permission to apply to the bachelor’s/master’s degree program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School and is contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements at the time of application. Acceptance will be provisional and contingent on meeting specified degree requirements, including completion of the bachelor’s degree. Any student who withdraws from the bachelor’s/master’s program cannot double count any courses for both the bachelor’s and master’s degree.

To apply, students submit the standard Graduate School application and supplemental documents for the MAT Secondary Education program by the posted deadline for the semester in which they intend to enroll. This includes: An application for graduate admission Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate) Three academic recommendations by individuals in relevant professional fields Statement of interest essay to describe applicant’s commitment to the teaching profession, prior experiences working with teenagers, philosophy of teaching and learning, and understanding of the complexity of secondary schools. Final selection for admission is based upon consideration of the academic record, letter of application, and recommendations. An interview with a committee of Watson College of Education faculty and public school personnel may also be required.