Master of Arts in Teaching

Pass Praxis I: Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam(Reading/156, Writing/162, Math/150) or Praxis II specialty examination for the area of certification pursued (Core Content Test specific to area of secondary certification offered in this program)Note: An ACT composite score of 22 or an SAT combined verbal and math score of 1100 or higher (new SAT) or 1030 or higher (pre-March 2016 SAT) may be used in lieu of Praxis I Core Academic Skills for Educators exams in reading, writing, and math by prospective teachers in Louisiana.

Complete the MAT application as well as a Grambling State University School of Graduate Studies admission application. Submit a copy of each of your official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies and the MAT Office.  Upon receiving your complete application, notification of your acceptance will be provided.

Yes.  The MAT program is designed to prepare individuals for the classroom, who have minimal experience or background in education.  Upon completion of this program, candidates will have acquired the content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary to enjoy a fulfilling career as a teacher.

Potential candidates are admitted to the College of Education once a year and follow a cohort format for the program pursued. The application deadline date for summer enrollment is April 15th. The Praxis I and II requirements must be met prior to the application deadline date and program admission.

After a potential candidate has completed the application process and have met the basic requirements for acceptance into the program, an invitation to commence the interview process is extended. Subsequent to the interview process, notification of program admission status and next steps are provided.

Yes. Individuals who are currently teaching in a school system but are not certified may become certified through the MAT Elementary Education 1-5 or Secondary Education 6-12 pathway.

The estimated total cost for the program will be based on the standard graduate fees set by Grambling State University.

There are two available options associated with the Educational Practicum and Residency courses. Option A is an intensive full year of clinical experiences that require candidates to engage in roles and responsibilities associated with hands on teaching and experiential learning while completing the remaining coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree and certification requirements. Option B consist of a structured yearlong placement within a public school district as a paid classroom teacher of record. Candidates participating in this option are required to secure a teaching position in an elementary, middle, or secondary school setting.

The high-need areas across local regions are Mathematics and Science. It is suggested that candidates choose a discipline consistent with their content knowledge, background, interest, and student age level with which they will enjoy working.

The MAT Program is offered 100% online across locations within the United States. Candidates can seek employment at an accredited school in a location of their choice. The selected school must be in compliance with guidelines and policies specified by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Grambling State University.

No, certified teachers cannot apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program. The MAT program is an alternative route to teacher certification for individuals with a degree outside of the field of Education. Teachers that are already certified may seek enrollment in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction’s M. Ed. program to obtain an advanced graduate degree in a specific content area.

MAT candidates enrolled in the Practicum Residency Option B are paid a regular, full-time teacher salary delineated by the employing school district. The salary and benefits such as health insurance and retirement benefits vary across districts.

One three hour credit course in professional writing only can be transferred into the MAT program. 

Yes. MAT candidates may take up to six credit hours during the fall & spring semesters, and up to twelve during the summer.

MAT candidates may take up to six hours per semester during the fall and spring semesters.

Praxis I measures core academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Praxis II measures general and subject-specific content knowledge and teaching skills. Additional information related to Praxis can be obtained from the www.ets.org website.

The Praxis requirements for the state of Louisiana as outlined by the Department of Education are provided on the Louisiana Believes website State Requirements. The name of the test for each area of certification, ETS identification number, and required cut off score for the state of Louisiana are specified on this website.

This information is found on the Praxis™ Test Centers and Dates page of the ETS website.

Refer to the Register for a Test page on the ETS website for registration information, including how to register online. Praxis I® and Praxis II exams are offered in the computer-based format only.

There is a registration fee for the Praxis test. Refer to the Register for the Tests page on the ETS website for information on test fees. The fee will vary depending on the selected test and the number of test that an individual registers to take.

Changes to a test registration can be made by following the directions on the Cancel or Change Your Registration page on the ETS website.

Follow the appropriate link on the Account Sign-in page to view your username or create a new password.

Both free and affordable test preparation materials for each test title can be accessed on the Prepare for a Test page of the ETS website.

Praxis score report schedules and score information, including a downloadable score guide, are available on the ETS website's Scores page. Scores are available for one year but may be requested for up to 10 years (for a small fee).

Information about canceling a registration and receiving a refund can be located on the Cancel or Change Your Registration page of the ETS website.

Visit the Contact Us page.

Inside the U.S., U.S. Territories* and Canada 1-800-772-9476 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7:45 p.m. (ET) except for U.S. holidays

Outside the U.S., U.S. Territories* and Canada 1-609-771-7395 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7:45 p.m. (ET) except for U.S. holidays

For deaf or hearing impaired 1-609-771-7714 (TTY)24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day with a touch-tone phone. Phones are busiest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and all day on Monday.
*Includes American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

The academic requirements for admission to the MAT program include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 at the time the degree was conferred.

Yes. A cumulative GPA of 2.3 is required for admission to Grambling State University’s School of Graduate Studies.

Yes.  You must apply for admission and be accepted into Grambling State University’s School of Graduate Studies before you can apply for admission into the MAT program.

No.  You must be fully accepted into the program before you can begin the necessary coursework.

Required courses are outlined within the MAT Course Cycle which specifies the title, number, and the semester in which the course should be taken. The course cycle can be obtained electronically from the program advisor. The courses vary and are consistent with certification requirements specified within Bulletin 746.