Overview
The MAT and PBC programs offer a 100% online route to teacher certification for individuals that have an undergraduate degree in an area other than education. Content coursework such as math, science, history, English, foreign language, fine arts, or a professional field provide the content foundation, and the program provides the required professional education courses and clinical experiences at the graduate level. Because applicants for certification must have completed all classes required by the state of West Virginia for the content area, applicants must have a transcript analysis to determine which content requirements have already been met. Even though applicants have a degree in a specific field, they may not have taken the courses prescribed for teachers in their field of study, and therefore additional content classes may be required prior to application and enrollment. The transcript analysis will provide a list of courses needed to complete the content area. Upon successful completion of the program coursework, all content courses, and testing requirements, the candidate receives a recommendation to the West Virginia Department of Education for a teaching certificate.
Plans of Study
Certification Options
The table below lists the available teaching certifications that can be obtained through the program. Links provide the content requirements for licensure by the West Virginia Department of Education.
Grades 5-Adult
Grades 9-Adult
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
- Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from an accepted, accredited institution (transcript required from degree-granting institution only).
- Candidates deciding to apply to the program after reviewing the transcript analysis should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission. Students should apply as Certificate/Professional Development students and select the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate on the admissions form. Please note that all admissions documents must be submitted to Graduate Admissions before an applicant will be considered for admission.
- In addition to university admission requirements, applicants must have an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.80 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed coursework and a GPA of 2.80 in the content area. Applicants who have an overall GPA of 2.5 or above, but below 2.80, may be granted provisional admission. Provisionally admitted applications will be granted full admission upon successful completion of 12 hours toward the approved plan of study with a GPA of 3.25 or higher, assuming that all other admission requirements are met.
Students may enroll in graduate courses only after they have been fully admitted to the university and the M.A.T. program. All students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0.
In the last semester of the program students will be enrolled in EDF 677 MAT Level III Clinical Exper, a 15 week, full-time student teaching experience under the direct supervision of a certified teacher(s). Prerequisites for student teaching include the following:
- 3.0 GPA in all graduate MAT courses;
- completion of at least 90% of content courses (100% recommended);
- completion of EDF 537 MAT Level I Clinical Exper and EDF 637 MAT Level II Clinical Exper;
- completion of all MAT coursework and
- passing scores on the Praxis content test(s).
Before a candidate may apply for certification/licensure, he or she must pass or meet waiver requirements for the Praxis: Core Academic Skills for Educators, Praxis: Content, and Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Grades 7-12.
Upon completion of the MAT program and all testing requirements, the student should apply for licensure. The teaching license is awarded by the West Virginia Department of Education; however, the candidate must be recommended for licensure by the institution.
Content exam required in order to be eligible for student teaching
| To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art | Art: Content Knowledge | 5134 | 158 |
| Biology | Biology: Content Knowledge | 5235 | 152 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry: Content Knowledge | 5245 | 157 |
| English (5–Adult) | English Language Arts: Content Knowledge | 5038 | 167 |
| General Science (5–Adult) | General Science: Content Knowledge | 5435 | 153 |
| Mathematics (5–Adult) | Mathematics: Content Knowledge | 5165 | 159 |
| Music | Music: Content Knowledge | 5113 | 155 |
| Physics | Physics: Content Knowledge | 5265 | 126 |
| Social Studies (5–Adult) | Social Studies: Content Knowledge | 5081 | 148 |
| Wellness (PreK–12) | Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge
OR |
5857 | 160 |
| Health Education
AND Physical Education: Content Knowledge |
5551
5091 |
156
150 |
Note: Must have a passing score on the content knowledge exam PRIOR to student teaching (June 1 deadline for Fall student teaching; October 1 deadline for Spring student teaching)
In order to be eligible for certification, MAT/PBC students must also receive a passing score on:
| You Need to Take* | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
| Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 | 5624 | 157 |
Note: PLT is not required before student teaching, but must have passing score before applying for certification
Application for Admission and Information
Steps for Applying
- Request a transcript analysis through Thomas Cooper, Certification Specialist. The analysis will identify the courses that can be used to meet content specialization requirements and any additional courses you will need to take.
For a transcript analysis, please send copies of your transcripts (may be unofficial) to:
Thomas Cooper
Marshall University
100 Angus E. Peyton Drive
South Charleston, WV 25303-1600
304-746-1909 ext. 61909
FAX: 304-746-8974
thomas.cooper@marshall.edu
- If you decide to apply to the program after reviewing the transcript analysis, follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog, or at the Graduate Admissions website at How to Apply for Admission.
- PBC students apply for admission to Marshall University as a Certificate/Professional Development student and select the Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate on the application form.
- MAT students apply for admission to Marshall University as a degree-seeking student and select the Master of Arts in Teaching, M.A.T. on the application form.
For complete admission information and an application visit Marshall University Graduate College
Clinical Requirements
Both the MAT and PBC programs require three clinical experiences which must be completed in public school classrooms. Clinical I is taken early in the program (first semester recommended) and requires 35 hours of classroom observation. Clinical II is taken near the end of the program and requires 75 hours of classroom observation and teaching. Clinical III is student teaching and is taken the final semester.
Eligibility for Student Teaching
In the last semester of the program candidates will be enrolled in EDF 677, MAT Level III Clinical Experience, a 15 week, full-time student teaching experience under the direct supervision of a certified teacher(s). Prerequisites for student teaching include the following:
- 3.0 GPA in all graduate (professional education) courses
- 2.8 GPA overall and in the content courses
- Passing score(s) on the Praxis II content test(s)
- Completion of 100% of content courses
- Completion of EDF 537 and EDF 637, Level I and II Clinical Experiences
- Completion of all other program coursework as outlined on the Plan of Study
Eligibility for Licensure
In addition to course work, all candidates for teacher certification must take and pass three standardized tests required by the West Virginia Department of Education. These tests are (1) the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators (CASE), a test with subtests in reading, mathematics, and writing (required for admission to the program); (2) the PRAXIS II Content Knowledge Test (required prior to student teaching); and (3) the Principles of Learning and Teaching Test (PLT), Grades 7-12. The PLT should be taken just prior to or during your final semester. Students who apply for licensure from the West Virginia Department of Education are required to submit to the department a fingerprint card for federal and state background checks.