Apr 01, 2025  
Graduate Catalog | 2023-2024 
    
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Graduate Catalog | 2023-2024 Previous Edition

Child and Family Studies: Early Childhood Education (Birth-Kindergarten), M.A.T.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program is designed for individuals who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Development: Birth through Kindergarten .  The M.A.T. program is a 35 credit hour program comprised of two phases, the Graduate Certificate phase (Phase I) and the Master’s degree completion phase (Phase II). Completion of Phase I of the M.A.T. leads to the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in Birth-Kindergarten. Phase I requires 21 credit hours of coursework, including the graduate internship experience. Upon completion of Phase I, qualified candidates may apply for Phase II to work towards the Master’s degree and qualify for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s License. 

All courses for both phases of the M.A.T. must be completed within seven years. Coursework within Phase I/Graduate Certificate must be completed within five years.

General Requirements for Admission to the Graduate School

Please refer to admission information in The Graduate School  section.

Admission Requirements

Graduate Certificate in Teaching (M.A.T. Phase I Initial licensure only)

  1. An undergraduate degree from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
  2. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. (For alternative ways to demonstrate academic competence, applicants may contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL))
  3. Three recommendations from persons knowledgeable of the applicant’s interaction with children and families
  4. A statement of purpose
  5. A clear criminal background check
  6. Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu

M.A.T. (Phase II) Program

  1. Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Teaching
  2. A minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 in the Graduate Certificate in Teaching *
  3. One recommendation from a full-time faculty member who has taught the applicant in the Graduate Certificate in Teaching program
  4. A statement of purpose
  5. Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu

*Students with a GPA below 3.5 in the Graduate Certificate in Teaching may be considered for admission to the M.A.T. program with scores above the 30th percentile on either the Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test.

Degree Requirements

Phase I/ Graduate Certificate Required Courses (21 credit hours)

Phase II/ Completion of the M.A.T. Required Courses (14 credit hours)

Degree Total = 35 Credit Hours

Capstone Experiences

The capstone experience for the M.A.T. will be fulfilled by completing the action research project.

Advising

Upon acceptance into the program, all students are assigned an advisor. Students are expected to meet with their advisor each semester to discuss their coursework.

Licensure

Upon successful completion of the M.A.T. Phase I/Graduate Certificate, students are recommended for the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License. For this initial license, students are required to complete an electronic licensure portfolio that is created during coursework and the internship. Upon successful completion of the M.A.T. Phase II, students are recommended for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s License. For the Professional 2 license, students are required to complete an advanced electronic licensure portfolio during coursework.

Committees

Students should consult with their academic program advisor in the selection of the committee. The committee chair should be selected for content knowledge of the subject area that is selected for the culminating experience. This person should hold a graduate faculty appointment in the CHFD program. Two additional committee members should be selected for knowledge and expertise in the student’s subject area. One of the additional members may be external to the student’s department.