Program Planning: As you finish your course requirements, it is important to plan well. All information is available on this website as well as in the University documents such as the Graduate School website and the Graduate Catalog. Students are responsible for following University policies and deadlines.
Internship Planning: You should plan to do your internship during your final semester, and that takes prior planning. The internship application and autobiography are due early the semester before the internship. At the same time you apply for your internship, you should also apply for graduation. If you miss application deadlines, you may have to stay in graduate school longer than you had planned. You have to be enrolled in at least one credit hour during the semester you graduate, including summer. read internship information
The M.A.T. is offered by several different departments, and you can obtain licensure in various subjects and grade levels. Your undergraduate major in biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, history, or political science, combined with the M.A.T., can earn you a North Carolina license to teach high school, grades 9-12 (history and political science majors translate into a license to teach social sciences.) If you have a bachelor’s degree with a major in music or art, the M.A.T. degree and subsequent licensure will allow you to teach all grades, K-12. The TESOL program results in a K-12 license as well.
Admission and Advisement
Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree in the major of the concentration as well as department prerequisites. Once enrolled, you’ll be assigned two advisers, one in education and one in your academic concentration, who will mentor you through your program of study.
Additional M.A.T. Degrees
In addition to the listed academic concentrations, WCU offers MAT degrees in physical education, middle grades education, and special education. Please contact the College of Education and Allied Professions if you are unsure of which department to contact.
WCU also offers an alternative licensure program designed as an alternative to help alleviate the teacher shortage in NC. It does not require a master's degree.
M.A.T. Resources
WCU offers you a wealth of supporting materials and resources, including the M.A.T. Handbook and Internship Information.