Master of Arts in Teaching, M.A.T.
Content Area Prerequisites
It is important for any teacher preparation program to provide depth and breadth of study in the disciplines that make up the field. Most states, including North Carolina, have specific competency requirements for licensure as a teacher. In the high school these competencies often require more broadly based coursework than a traditional arts and sciences degree may offer.
For example, an individual majoring in history who wishes to teach high school history would seek licensure in social studies, with an emphasis in history. Our programs are comprehensive in nature and recommend students to be certified to teach any class at the secondary level within their content area.
There are seven content areas within the M.A.T. program. Each content area has its own advisors and uses required courses to focus on the subject area. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to beginning the student teaching semester.
English
Advisor: James Trier
To be accepted into the English program of the MAT, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree in English from an accredited institution. Majors in related and other discipline areas other than English will NOT be considered for admission. Recommended degree work in English includes courses in American, British and world literature; linguistics, literature by and about minorities; literary theory course(s); and rhetoric and writing course(s).
Required courses:
- ENGL 313 Grammar of Current English
- One of the following:
- ENGL 368 African American Literature, 1930-1970
- ENGL 369 African American Literature, 1970 to the present
- ENGL 373 Southern American Literature
Recommended courses:
- ENGL 314 History of the English Language
- One of the following:
- ENGL 374 Southern Women Writers
- ENGL 446 American Women Authors
English as a Second Language (ESL) K-12
Advisor: Claudia Cervantes-Soon
Students in the M.A.T. program in English as a Second Language will be prepared for a K-12 North Carolina license to teach English as a Second Language in U.S. classrooms. A strong liberal arts background and college degree in education or a subject that is taught in K-12 classrooms is preferred.
Prerequisite courses for admittance into the M.A.T. in English as a Second Language include (available at UNC through traditional coursework or online through Continuing Education):
- ENGL 313 Grammar of Current English
- LING 101 Introduction to Language
Outstanding candidates will also have an advanced undergraduate or graduate course in literacy instruction, such as EDUC 621: Explorations in Literacy or EDUC 622: Content Area Reading and Writing.
Applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average and also demonstrate that they have participated in a recent second language learning experience equivalent to three college semesters.
Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must also earn a score that is equivalent to Advanced Low or higher on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in English (make sure to use the application specifically for UNC-CH applicants). Applicants are STRONGLY ADVISED to complete the OPI 6-9 months in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they achieve the minimum score required and that the results arrive in advance of the application deadline.
Non-native speakers of English must also score one of the following on the TOEFL if they are not or have not graduated from a degree program in an English-medium institution of higher education: Paper-based = 600; Computer-based = 50; Internet-based = 100. Students MUST contact the Graduate School directly well in advance of the application deadline to determine whether or not they are required to take the TOEFL.
* Note that these are admissions requirements for the MAT in ESL. The Graduate School requires other materials for admissions (i.e., transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, TOEFL for international students).
Foreign Language
Advisor: Jennifer Wooten
* Note that the admissions requirements below are for the MAT in Foreign Language Education. The Graduate School requires other materials for admissions (i.e., transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation).
Spanish (grades K-12)
Candidates are required to have one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree with a content relevant major:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program); OR
- Bachelor’s degree, but major is not in the World Language (may have minored in the language):
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program);
- a score of Intermediate High on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT); and
- completed courses equivalent to those required for an undergraduate major in the language (minimum of 24 hours, all completed with a grade of “C” or better)
When you apply for the OPI (and WPT, if required), make sure to use the application specifically for UNC-Chapel Hill applicants. You may also call (914) 963-7110 to schedule the assessment. Identify yourself as a North Carolina resident and UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School applicant. Applicants are STRONGLY ADVISED to take the OPI and WPT 6-9 months in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they achieve the minimum score required and that the results arrive in advance of the application deadline. Contact Dr. Wooten to learn more about ACTFL Proficiency Testing.
Students are STRONGLY ADVISED to take part in an extended study abroad experience (one semester or more). If not included in the major, a course in phonetics/phonology is also highly recommended.
French (grades K-12)
Candidates are required to have one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree with a content relevant major:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program); OR
- Bachelor’s degree, but major is not in the World Language (may have minored in the language):
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program);
- a score of Intermediate High on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT); and
- completed courses equivalent to those required for an undergraduate major in the language (minimum of 24 hours, all completed with a grade of “C” or better)
When you apply for the OPI (and WPT, if required), make sure to use the application specifically for UNC-Chapel Hill applicants. You may also call (914) 963-7110 to schedule the assessment. Identify yourself as a North Carolina resident and UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School applicant. Applicants are STRONGLY ADVISED to complete the OPI and WPT 6-9 months in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they achieve the minimum score required and that the results arrive in advance of the application deadline. Contact Dr. Wooten to learn more about ACTFL Proficiency Testing.
Students are STRONGLY ADVISED to take part in an extended study abroad experience (one semester or more). If not included in the major, a course in phonetics/phonology is also highly recommended.
German (grades K-12)
Candidates are required to have one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree with a content relevant major:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program); OR
- Bachelor’s degree, but major is not in the World Language (may have minored in the language):
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program);
- a score of Intermediate High on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT); and
- completed courses equivalent to those required for an undergraduate major in the language (minimum of 24 hours, all completed with a grade of “C” or better)
When you apply for the OPI (and WPT, if required), make sure to use the application specifically for UNC-Chapel Hill applicants. You may also call (914) 963-7110 to schedule the assessment. Identify yourself as a North Carolina resident and UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School applicant. Applicants are STRONGLY ADVISED to complete the OPI and WPT 6-9 months in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they achieve the minimum score required and that the results arrive in advance of the application deadline. Contact Dr. Wooten to learn more about ACTFL Proficiency Testing.
Students are STRONGLY ADVISED to take part in an extended study abroad experience (one semester or more). If not included in the major, a course in phonetics/phonology is also highly recommended.
Japanese (grades K-12)
Candidates are required to have one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree with a content relevant major:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program); OR
- Bachelor’s degree, but major is not in the World Language (may have minored in the language):
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- a score of Intermediate High or better on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) (Note: A score of Advanced Low or higher on the OPI is preferred for admissions since any student who is accepted with a score of Intermediate High will co-create a proficiency plan in collaboration with Dr. Wooten and will be required to re-take the OPI during the MAT program);
- a score of Intermediate High on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT); and
- completed courses equivalent to those required for an undergraduate major in the language (minimum of 24 hours, all completed with a grade of “C” or better)
When you apply for the OPI (and WPT, if required), make sure to use the application specifically for UNC-Chapel Hill applicants. You may also call (914) 963-7110 to schedule the assessment. Identify yourself as a North Carolina resident and UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School applicant. Applicants are STRONGLY ADVISED to complete the OPI and WPT 6-9 months in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they achieve the minimum score required and that the results arrive in advance of the application deadline. Contact Dr. Wooten to learn more about ACTFL Proficiency Testing.
Students are STRONGLY ADVISED to take part in an extended study abroad experience (one semester or more). If not included in the major, a course in phonetics/phonology is also highly recommended.
Latin (grades 9-12)
Candidates are required to have a major or its equivalent in Latin or Classics (a minimum of 24 hours in Latin and Rome-focused coursework).
Additionally, students must present a passing score on the Praxis II exam in Latin for admissions. Students are STRONGLY ADVISED to contact ETS to schedule and take the Praxis II exam well in advance of the MAT application deadline. (Note: The Praxis II exam in Latin is generally offered only three times per year and only once in the fall semester!)
Secondary Social Studies
Advisor: Xue Lan Rong
Candidates are required to have an undergraduate degree in history or in one of the social science areas (political science, economy, geography, sociology and anthropology). However, students who have a major in history, political science, economy, and geography usually have better employment opportunities in job market. Students who do not have a degree in one of the above-mentioned areas need to take courses to make an equivalent major in one of the above-mentioned areas.
Additional courses:
Since the secondary social studies licensure in North Carolina is a comprehensive licensure (we do not offer single-subject licensure), it requires a depth (a major in history, political science, and so on) and breadth of course work in the disciplines that make up the field of secondary social studies. Applicants should seek a broad base of course work during their undergraduate years, rather than having to spend an additional semester or two to make up those deficiencies before applying for the M.A.T. program.
In addition to an undergraduate major in history (or in political science, economy, geography, etc.), we require the following 13 courses to be added to your undergraduate studies if they are not already a part of your particular major:
- ANTH 101 General Anthropology
- ECON 101 Introduction to Economics
- ECON 310 Microeconomics
- GEOG 110 Geography of Environmental Systems
- GEOG 120 World Regional Geography
- HIST 151 History of Western Civilization to 1650
- HIST 152 History of Western Civilization since 1650
- HIST 127 American History to 1865
- HIST 128 American History Since 1865
- HIST 375 History of Gender in America (Or other history course with special topics that deals with human diversities)
- POLI 100 Introduction to Government in the United States
- POLI 250 Asian and World Affairs (Or other POLI courses deal with international/regional politics)
- SOCI 101 American Society