Admissions Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply and meet all the university admissions requirements. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required. Provided that admitted teacher candidates remain in good standing, those who want to pursue the MAT degree will complete a program transfer (credential to MAT) during their penultimate semester, usually semester two of a three-semester program. That process allows candidates to complete the MAT in a more financially advantageous way (for themselves). For additional information on admissions, see the Teacher Education Department website and the SJSU Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website (GAPE). Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on GAPE’s Test Requirements webpage. For TOEFL requirements, see the Graduate Admissions section.

Prospective Critical Bilingual Concentration candidates must meet additional requirements (outlined below) in an admission process conducted by the Coordinator/Faculty advisor: Dr. Eduardo R. Muñoz-Muñoz.

1. Candidates must meet all university admissions requirements.
2. Program Materials required by the Department are listed on the Department of Teacher Education website. The materials enumerated below must be uploaded to the Cal State Apply application. For additional details go to the Department of Teacher Education website.

   1. Subject Matter Competency (Required)
      The Subject Matter Competency Requirement can be met in a variety of ways including via the CSETs, approved degree major, CTC approved subject matter preparation program, or qualified coursework that meets each of the CTC subject matter domains. Information about meeting this requirement for current and prospective SJSU students can be found here: Meeting the Subject Matter Competency Requirement. Additional information can be found on the CTC website. Note that the requirements for Subject Matter Competence at the point of admission may differ for the Multiple and Single Subject Programs.

   2. Basic Skills Requirement (Required)
      The Basic Skills Requirement can be met in a variety of ways including via the CBEST, SAT/ACT/AP scores, qualifying coursework, and more. Information about meeting this requirement for current and prospective SJSU students can be found here: Meeting the Basic Skills Requirement. Additional information can be found on the CTC website.

   3. Pre-Professional Experience (Highly recommended)
      Complete a minimum of 45 observation hours of Pre-Professional Experience and upload a completed/signed Pre-Professional Experience Form from the Department of Teacher Education website in the Cal State Apply portal to verify your experience. Pre-Professional Experience in a public school during the regular school day schedule is a highly recommended for admission. You may contact any California public school and let them know that you are applying to the SJSU Teaching Credential program and need to complete your 45 observation hours of Pre-Professional Experience. SJSU courses which fully meet this requirement are: LSTP 185  and CHAD 159 .

   4. Certificate of Clearance (Required)
      ​There are 3 steps to obtain a Certificate of Clearance (CoC): Do not wait until the last minute to request this item, as it can take weeks for CTC to issue. For detailed information about how to complete these steps, go to the Department of Teacher Education website.

      • Step 1 - Live Scan Service
      • Step 2 - Certificate of Clearance Application via CTC​
      • Step 3 - Upload a pdf of the granted Certificate of Clearance

Note: A US Social Security or Tax Identification Number is required to obtain a COC. If you are an international student, please consult an advisor in our International Student & Scholars Services (ISSS) to see if this is possible on your particular visa.

5. Statement of Purpose (2 required)
   In your Statement of Purpose, explain how you arrived at your decision to become a teacher. For Critical Bilingual Concentration Candidates: A second Statement of Purpose is required for Bilingual Authorization Spanish applicants and must be written in Spanish. This second essay is not a translation of the first, but will have overlapping content.

6. Resume (Required)
   Prepare a brief (one page) resume that details your college-level academic, employment, and volunteer experiences. In describing a position that you held (employment or volunteer service), highlight the duties you performed and any awards/accomplishments you would like us to know about.

7. Two Letters of Recommendation (Required)
   ​Two professional letters of recommendation are required and are requested within your CalState Apply application. Letters must be written within the last 2 years and should be from someone in a supervisory role. Up to four letters of recommendation may be submitted.

8. Transcripts (Required)
   Official transcripts (sealed or electronic) from each college/university attended, aside from SJSU, must be submitted. Transcripts will be submitted directly to San Jose State, not through your CalState Apply application. Information about how to submit transcripts can be found at the SJSU Graduate Admissions website. International transcripts must go through additional evaluation steps, and will take additional time to prepare and submit. Please see the Graduate Admissions website above for more information.

9. Interview
   ​Most applicants to the program are recommended for an interview.

• For Critical Bilingual Concentration Candidates: applicants will participate in an interview to determine oral proficiency and programmatic dispositions and alignment with the MAT program and the bilingual goals. Candidates also need to pass the state test Languages Other than English (LOTE), subtest 3, in order to be eligible for the associated bilingual authorization (separate from the concentration). 

10. Language Proficiency (NOT required at the point of admission)
    ​Critical Bilingual Concentration Candidates also need to pass the state test Languages Other than English (LOTE), subtest 3, in order to be eligible for the associated bilingual authorization (separate from the concentration). 

Conditionally Classified Standing

Because the MAT program is nested within the Multiple Subject Credential  and Single Subject Credential  program, which requires applicants to meet departmental admissions requirements, admission to conditionally classified standing is not appropriate and is not permitted.

Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy denotes that a student is fully qualified to complete the final stages of the MAT degree. Requirements for advancement to candidacy, including the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), are listed on the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluation website.

Department Requirements

1. Complete 12 units of core courses (EDTE 224 , EDTE 260 , and EDTE 262 ; and EDTE 294 ) with a grade of “C” or better in each one.
2. Complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement by completing the core course EDTE 208  with a grade of “B” or higher.
3. Complete the 3-unit core course EDTE 250  (GWAR) to develop a project proposal (Plan B) or a thesis proposal (Plan A) with a grade of “B” or higher.
4. Maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5. In addition to maintaining a 3.0 GPA, earn a minimum of a “B” grade in any Curriculum and Instruction courses listed on the Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy, which must be completed in consultation with and approved by the department graduate advisor.

Requirements for Graduation

University Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures. Completion of the degree also requires a minimum grade of “C” in all courses taken and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

Department Requirements

1. Complete 12 units of core courses (EDTE 224 , EDTE 260 , EDTE 262 , and EDTE 294 ) and 10 units of concentration courses (EDTE 208B , EDTE 250B , and EDTE 297B  (twice, as a cohort).
2. Complete at least 6 units of subject-area curriculum and instruction courses.
3. Successfully receive approval for a project proposal (Plan B) or thesis proposal (Plan A) while completing EDTE 250 .
4. Apply for graduation via MySJSU (through one.SJSU.edu).
5. Successfully complete either a project (Plan B, EDTE 298 ) or thesis (Plan A, EDTE 299 ).
6. Satisfy the culminating experience requirements, which typically consist of successful completion of the project or thesis (i.e., 5 above) AND a presentation on the same at the department’s colloquium, which is held near the end of each fall and spring semester.

Culminating Experience

Plan A (Thesis)
Students selecting the Plan A option will write a master’s thesis. The thesis will include original research on a topic approved by the thesis committee, and must meet university requirements as stipulated in this catalog and in the SJSU Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Guidelines. The thesis identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. Thesis proposals must be approved by the graduate committee, which is made up of two department faculty and a third faculty member from outside the department. Students enroll in EDTE 299 - Master’s Thesis .

Plan B (Portfolio or Project)
Students selecting the Plan B option will complete a master’s portfolio or project report. Either is a significant undertaking that evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a report that includes the project’s significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion or recommendation. Students enroll in EDTE 298 - Special Studies in Education .