FAQs about the MAT
Admissions (Full- or Part-Time)
What is the GPA requirement for program acceptance?
At Loyola we look at an applicant’s whole admission application and GPA is only one factor. We require an undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 for unconditional admission to our program. Applicants under the 3.0 threshold may be considered for probational admission.
Do I need to submit a test score for admission?
Applicants with an overall GPA of 3.0 and higher in their most recent degree program do NOT have to submit a test score for admission. For applicant with an overall GPA under a 3.0 must submit scores from one of the following tests below.
A Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) qualifying scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Math tests or meet the SAT®, ACT® or GRE® General Test requirements are required for all Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) applicants.
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | Test Code | Minimum Score |
Reading (sr - 85 min.) and | 5712 | 156 |
Writing (sr & cr - 100 min.)and | 5722 | 162 |
Mathematics (sr - 85 min.) | 5732 | 150 |
Praxis I: PPST/CPPSTPrior to September 1, 2014 Reading Writing Mathematics |
5710 5720 5730 |
527 |
SAT(prior to April, 1995) (math and verbal) | - | 1000 |
SAT(April, 1995 - March, 2016) (math and verbal OR math and critical reading) | - | 1100 |
SAT(after March 2016) | 1180 | |
GRE (prior to September 1, 2011) (math and verbal) | - | 1000 |
GRE(taken as of September 1, 2011) (math and verbal) | - | 297 |
What certification areas are available in the MAT program?
- Elementary Education, grades 1 - 6
- Art, grades PK - 12
- French, grades PK - 12
- Music (vocal or instrumental), grades PK - 12
- Secondary Biology, grades 7 - 12
- Secondary Chemistry, grades 7 - 12
- Secondary Earth/Space Science 7-12
- Secondary English, grades 7 - 12
- Secondary Mathematics, grades 7 - 12
- Secondary Physics, grades 7 - 12
- Secondary Social Studies, grades 7 - 12
- Spanish, grades PK - 12
If I am already a full time teacher, how will I complete the internship?
What if I taught before? Is this program suitable for me? Can I be exempt from the internship?
Can I contact a current or former MAT candidate?
Is it possible to obtain the teaching certification and not the MAT degree?
I’m not sure if my coursework meets the admissions requirements. Can someone review my transcripts?
Elementary
The elementary education program requires an undergraduate major in one of the four content areas mathematics, science, English, or social studies, or closely related area) and/or a well-rounded liberal arts background. The elementary education students must have a minimum of:
- English- 9 credits which includes one English literature course
- Math- 9 credits which includes one statistics course
- Social Studies- minimum of 9 credits which includes one history course
- Science – 10 credits which includes one science with a lab course
If you would like your transcript evaluated, please email a copy of your transcripts to mat@loyola.edu.
Secondary
The secondary program requires an undergraduate major (or 27-30 sufficient credits) in the content area in which the aspiring teacher is seeking certification.
If you would like your transcripts evaluated, please email a copy of your transcript to mat@loyola.edu.
What if I don’t have the required pre-requisite courses?
- 1 course completed by the end of first semester
- 2-3 courses completed by the end of the second semester
The Program
How many credits will I need to complete in the program?
Loyola’s Elementary Certification program requires 39 credits.
Loyola’s Secondary Certification program requires 34 credits.
How long is the program?
Full-time MAT candidates can complete the program in 11 months.
Part-time MAT candidates can complete the program within 1.5 to 5 years.
Can I work while I am a candidate in the program?
Full-time MAT candidates are advised to not work due to the intensity of the program. Part-time MAT candidates usually work during the program. However, during Internship I, candidates must be able to attend the internship 2 days/week during the school day.
During Internship II, candidates will attend the internship full-time according to the schedule of the local school system.
When are the classes offered?
Most classes are offered at 4:30 p.m. (or 4:15 p.m. in the summer) or at 7:05 p.m.
Where are the classes offered?
MAT classes are held online. In-person events occur at the Baltimore campus. The internship requirements are in-person.
Can this program be taken part-time?
Yes, candidates can take this program part–time. To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must take a minimum of 2 classes (6 credits) in the fall and spring and 1 class (3 credits) in the summer.
University policy states candidates must complete the program within 5 years of enrollment date.
Can this program be taken full- time?
Yes, full-time candidates begin in the summer and complete the program in May of the following year.
Field Experience
What are the required field experiences for this program?
- The part-time program includes two 20- hour field experiences designed to provide candidates with experience in school settings prior to internship. These experiences occur during school hours over two semesters.
- The full-time program requires some field work during the summer semester, with two semesters of clinical work in the fall and spring.
What are the internship time requirements?
Do I have to find my own field placements?
Where does the MAT program place its teacher candidates?
Teacher candidates are placed in a wide range of settings including urban, suburban, public, private, and alternative schools. We currently have partnerships in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City.
Visit our Professional Development Schools website to see a full listing of our partnership schools.
If I am already a full time teacher, how will I complete the internship?
A Professional Growth Experience (PGE) is available for teachers who are full-time teachers of record in the certification area in which they are seeking teacher certification and who teach within a designated commuting time from the Baltimore campus.
The supervised professional growth experience occurs within your current teaching position over the course of two semesters. There is a required seminar for both PGEI and PGE II.
Financial Information
What is the cost for the program?
What scholarships/grants/awards are available?
Certification
Will I be eligible to teach in other states than Maryland following graduation?
The state of Maryland is part of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification interstate reciprocity agreement. Which states,” Such an "acceptance" agreement means that the "receiving" state will issue some form of authorization allowing the inbound certificate holder to legally teach or provide service in the receiving state, provided the license issued by the "sending" state is acceptable under the agreement. This authorization may be limited in time by the receiving state, and the receiving state may impose additional requirements which need to be accomplished before the educator can teach or practice after the end of the time limit.”
In short, Loyola candidates can be hired in other states but may have additional requirements to complete within a year or two of your teaching career in that state. For more information, please visit the NASDTEC website.
Introducing the Noyce CREST Scholars Program
The CREST program supports tuition, books, fees, and licensure exams for full-time one-year MAT students by awarding funds ranging from approximately $18,000 to $22,000.Learn More
Ready to learn more?
Contact us at education@loyola.edu or 410-617-2990.Attend an Information Session
Program Pathways
Practical, Real-World Application
Students complete clinical experiences in Professional Development and partnership schools in the greater Baltimore area. Students who are already teaching in their certification area may have the option to complete their field experiences and/or internship in their schools.
Nicole Levine, '22
Summer Pearson, '22
Martina Ramirez, '18
Request information and apply
Ready to learn more?Explore the following links or contact us at mat@loyola.edu or 410-617-5095. For admission-related questions, contact Mechelle Palmer at mjpalmer@loyola.edu.