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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?
No - the MAT program does not require applicants to submit test scores as a part of the application process.
What licensure 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?
A Professional Growth Experience (PGE) is available for teachers who are full-time teachers of record in the licensure area in which they are seeking teacher licensure 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. 
What if I taught before? Is this program suitable for me? Can I be exempt from the internship?
This program leads to initial teacher licensure.  We welcome current teachers that are not MSDE elementary or secondary licensed. However, due to the design of our program, we do not exempt individuals from the internship, as it is a state and program requirement.
Can I contact a current or former MAT candidate?
Please contact education@loyola.edu  and someone will connect you wither either a current or former MAT candidate.
Is it possible to obtain the teaching licensure and not the MAT degree? 
It is not possible to obtain only teacher licensure. Candidates of our program will obtain teacher licensure and a Master’s 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 24 sufficient credits) in the content area in which the aspiring teacher is seeking licensure.

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?
Under provisional acceptance, candidates who are missing three pre-requisite courses may start the program. These courses are taken outside of Loyola with the following requirements:
  • 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 Licensure program requires 39 credits.

Loyola’s Secondary Licensure 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?
Candidates participate in a year-long internship. They attend internship 2 days per week in the fall semester and full-time in the spring semester according to the schedule of the school site.
Do I have to find my own field placements?
No, you are not required to find your own field placements. Loyola’s Coordinator of Clinical Experiences will find a placement for your clinical experiences.
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 licensure area in which they are seeking teacher licensure 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?
Our tuition is charged per credit; to view our current per credit cost, please visit our financial aid and tuition website
What scholarships/grants/awards are available?
Learn more about available scholarships and awards.

Licensure

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 Licensure interstate reciprocity agreement. Which states,” Such an "acceptance" agreement means that the "receiving" state will issue some form of authorization allowing the inbound license 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.

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 licensure area may have the option to complete their field experiences and/or internship in their schools.

 

Loyola’s MAT program was exactly what I was looking for— a great hands on experience with supportive and encouraging mentors. The internship experience has been amazing and I have learned so much from all of my professors and my mentor teachers, so I feel that Loyola has prepared me to be the kind of educator that I strive to be.
The MAT program's clinical and academic experiences prepared me to be a teacher who models compassion, competence, creativity, preparation, reflection, and responsiveness to diverse learners. In just one year, I have grown tremendously and am proud to be a part of this community of highly qualified teachers.
As an educator, the MAT program gave me the necessary tools to promote and cultivate, diversity, equity, and inclusion in my classroom. Invaluable internship experiences alongside relevant curriculum ensured that my transition from scholar to educator be a seamless and successful one.
Ready to learn more?

Explore the following links or contact us at mat@loyola.edu or 410-617-2990. For admission-related questions, contact Mechelle Palmer at mjpalmer@loyola.edu.