Pathway to Teacher Certification at The W
If you are interested in teaching Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics at middle- or high-school level, you can earn the required teaching license upon completing your BS or BA in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics IF your start the accelerated Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) while in your senior year.
If you start the pathway to the MAT in your senior year, when you graduate with your B.S. you will have completed half the requirements for a Master's degree, and you are on a pathway to begin teaching Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics immediately upon graduation.
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Advising
If you are interested in becoming a middle or high school Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics teacher, you should declare your major early in order to get proper advising.
Students interested in becoming teachers will pursue two overlapping degrees while at MUW -- the BS or BA in their subject area and the MAT. Your advisor will know when required courses are usually offered and can help you decide which electives will allow you to fulfill the required distribution of courses. Without proper advising, you may spend more time earning your degrees.
Students should complete most of their core curriculum and major requirements prior to their senior year. In the fall semester of their senior year, students must complete any remaining requirements and start their accelerated MAT requirements.
Accelerated MAT
The Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics majors all provide pathways to the accelerated Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.
In the final semester of your junior year, you can apply to enter the Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching program at The W, where you take up to four graduate classes in your senior year while completing your BS or BA.
Upon earning your Bachelor’s degree, passing the Praxis II exam in your subject area, and being accepted into the full MAT program, you immediately qualify for a temporary 3-year teaching license and can be hired as a full-time teacher of your subject area in grades 7-12.
After finishing the MAT internship year, you can receive a renewable 5-year teaching license.
Completing the remaining MAT courses (available online) qualifies teachers for a Class AA license and a higher salary. The Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics degrees on their own do not lead to licensure; acceptance into an MAT program or another alternate route pathway is required.
Teaching License
If you are accepted in the accelerated MAT program, here is the pathway to temporary and renewable teaching licensure:
~ Complete your BS or BA in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics.
~ Complete the required 9 graduate credit hours from the accelerated MAT program in your senior year.
~ Pass the Praxis II subject-area exam in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics.
~ Gain full admission to the online MAT program.
This will qualify you for a three-year, non-renewable Class A Mississippi Educator License.
This temporary teaching license will allow you to secure a full-time teaching position. Your first year of paid teaching will be used to complete the required MAT Teaching Internship. You can use the three years of your temporary license to complete the remaining requirements of the MAT online.
Once you complete the MAT Teaching Internship in your first year, candidates are recommended for a renewable, five-year Class A Mississippi Educator license.
Completion of the MAT program leads to a Class AA license and eligibility for a higher salary.
Minimum Grades
In order to enter the accelerated Masters of Arts in Teaching program in the senior year of their BS or BA, students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
If you chose to enter the MAT program after completing your BS or BA, an overall GPA of 2.75 is required.
Scholarships
There are various STEM scholarships offered by the Department available to current Biology, Mathematics, or Physical Science secondary education majors. Most of these scholarships are available to all students except those students who are full-ride Centennial Scholars. Amounts awarded are generally in the $500 to $2000 dollar range.
Majors with Pathways to the MAT
