The Master of Arts Teaching (MAT) degree program, offered by the Department of Teacher Education , prepares students to engage in social justice teaching practices, contribute to the development of cultural literacy, provide education that promotes democracy, and develop content knowledge expertise to teach in urban and suburban schools. All the program courses will prepare enrolled students to provide instruction for multilingual learners and students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Enrolled students also will learn to set up a supportive classroom environment based on social-emotional learning principles and experience collaborative co-teaching experiences with successful mentor teachers in the field. Finally, students will design, carry out, and report on classroom-based teacher inquiry. The MAT is earned in combination with a teaching credential and is not a stand-alone Master’s Degree.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply and meet all the university admissions requirements . Information about current admission requirements can be found on the Teacher Education Department website: https://www.sjsu.edu/teachered/ 

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 as tuition rates vary depending on credential or graduate status. For additional information on admissions, see the SJSU Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website (GAPE) and graduate admissions requirements  section.

Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English or who have an international transcript from outside the US/Canada must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on GAPE’s Test Requirements webpage. This applies to applicants on various types of visas AND to applicants who have a degree from outside the USA/Canada. For TOEFL requirements, see the Graduate Admissions  section. In addition, there are additional transcript evaluation requirements. Deadlines for applying may differ.

1. Candidates must meet all university admissions requirements .
2. Minimum grade point average is 2.5.
3. The materials enumerated below must be uploaded to the Cal State Apply application. For additional details go to the Department of Teacher Education website.

4. 1. Subject Matter Competency (via CSET, Teacher Prep Program, or approved majors). 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: Verifying Subject Matter Competence. 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. Verification of Meeting the Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or alternative)
      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 to the Cal State Apply portal to verify your experience. For Single Subject: At least 25 hours should be in secondary (middle/high) public school setting in credential subject area and 20 hours may be any work with youth. (Subject area teacher prep programs also have accepted field experience coursework). For Multiple Subject: Pre-Professional Experience in a public school during the regular school day schedule is recommended for admission. SJSU courses accepted to meet the Multiple Subject Requirement are: LSTP 185  and CHAD 159 . For PK-3 ECE Specialist: TBA by State of California. 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.

   4. Certificate of Clearance
      There are 3 steps to obtain the Certificate of Clearance (CoC): Do not wait until the last minute to request this item, as it can take weeks for the CCTC 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 CCTC
      Step 3 - Upload a pdf of the granted Certificate of Clearance to your CalState Apply application
      
      ​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
      In your Statement of Purpose, explain how you arrived at your decision to become a teacher. A second Statement of Purpose is required for Bilingual Authorization Spanish applicants, and it must be written in Spanish.

   6. Resume
      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
      The Letters of Recommendation are requested within CalState Apply. Letters must have been written within the last two years and should be from someone in a supervisory role. Up to four letters of recommendation may be submitted.

5. Official transcripts from each college/university attended will be submitted directly to SJSU Graduate Admissions. Transcripts may be submitted electronically or by mail, noting that official transcripts must be in a sealed, unopened envelope.

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 262  and (for Multiple or Single Subject Credential candidates) EDTE 224 , EDTE 294 , and EDTE 260 , or (for PK-Grade 3 Credential candidates) CHAD 272 , EDSE 104 , and EDSE 269  with a grade of “C” or better in each one.
2. Complete the 3-unit MAT Foundations and Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  course, EDTE 208 , with a grade of “C” or better.
3. Complete the 3-unit research methods course EDTE 250  or CHAD 260A  to develop a project proposal (Plan B) or a thesis proposal (Plan A) with a grade of “C” or higher.
4. Maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5. MAT candidates who also are Single Subject Credential candidates must complete each of their subject-area methods courses with a grade of “B” or better.

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 18 units of core courses (EDTE 208 , EDTE 224  or CHAD 272 , EDTE 250  or CHAD 260A , EDTE 260  or EDSE 269 , EDTE 262 , and EDTE 294  or EDSE 104 ).
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  or CHAD 260A .
4. Apply for graduation via MySJSU (through one.SJSU.edu).
5. Successfully complete either a portfolio or project (Plan B, EDTE 298  or CHAD 298 ) or thesis (Plan A, EDTE 299 ).
6. Satisfy the culminating experience requirements, which typically consist of successful completion of the portfolio, project, or thesis (i.e., 5 above) AND a presentation of 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, its significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion and / or implications. Students enroll in EDTE 298 - Special Studies in Education  or CHAD 298 - Special Studies in Child and Adolescent Development .