Master of Arts in Teaching

Online Application

MAT Teacher Eligibility Form (PDF) – All Master of Arts in Teaching applicants – Submit with Graduate Studies Application.

MAT Statement of Moral Character Form (PDF) – MAT Accepted Students

International Graduate Students

General Application Procedures

Please follow the steps listed to complete this application:

1. Online Application
2. The application is required of all degree-seeking students, regardless of whether you are interested in part-time or full-time studies.
3. A non-refundable application fee of $40 is required of all applicants, except for current Shepherd University students, alumni, and employees.  The Master of Arts in Teaching degree also requires an additional $20 transcript analysis fee by all applicants.
4. Please read the statement which relates to the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)

MAT Admissions Requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
2. An overall 2.75 GPA in all higher education coursework.
   • Any applicant with an overall GPA below 2.75 but not lower than 2.5, may be admitted with adequate scores one of the following additional tests of academic competence.
     • Graduate Record Exam Verbal 149 and Quantitative 146
     • Millers Analogy Test 390
3. A 2.5 GPA in the content courses for the area in which certification is sought.
4. Completion of ENGL 101, ENGL 102, and COMM 202 or equivalent courses with grades of C or above in each course.
5. A passing score on the current Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests (CASE)
   • The CASE tests may be waived provided the candidate:
     • Holds a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education; or
     • Currently holds, or has held, a West Virginia Professional Teaching, Student Support Services or Administrative Certificate; or
     • Received a Composite score from a single administration of the American College Test (ACT) of 25 prior to November, 1989 or a composite score of 26 on the ACT enhanced (effective November 1989)
     • Received a Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) score as follows:
       • 1035 on the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) prior to April 1995,
       • 1125 on the re-centered SAT (Critical Reading and Mathematics – effective April 1995), or
       • 1170 on the revised SAT using the combined Critical Reading and Math score (effective March 2005), or
       • 1240 composite Reading, Writing, and Math score effective May 2016.
6. Completion of at least 50 percent of all undergraduate specialty content area work required for certification with grades of C or better. Note: All content specialty courses not completed at the time of admission must be completed prior to student teaching. Passing the Praxis Content Knowledge exam approved by the state is also required prior to student teaching.
   • An applicant who has completed at least 25% of all undergraduate content area work required for certification with grades of C or better AND has already passed the Praxis Content Knowledge exam approved by the state may also be admitted.  Note: All content specialty courses not completed at the time of admission must be completed prior to student teaching.

For test dates, fees, test center locations, online registration for the GRE, and information on test preparation, visit the GRE Web site. All PRAXIS test scores should be sent separately by the testing agency to the Department of Education.

After the application and all transcripts have been received, they will be analyzed for required content courses, and all other admission criteria. Students will receive written notification of what criteria have been met and what, if any, criteria still need to be addressed prior to admittance.

To find out more information about the PRAXIS, TOEFL and other assessment of learning tests, please go to the ETS website: https://www.ets.org

Information on the Miller Analogies Test may be found on Pearson’s website.