Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

School of: Education

Degree Type: Master's Degree

Format: In-Person | Online

Student Type: Graduate

Program at a Glance

$910

per credit hour

program track options

total credits

99%

of all students receive financial aid

Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Overview

糖心Vlog鈥檚 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program is designed for individuals seeking a preliminary teaching license, whether they are career changers or paraprofessionals with classroom experience looking to formalize their qualifications.听

The MAT degree program considers the unique needs of today鈥檚 adult learners, many of whom are balancing work and family responsibilities. The program is available in a standard accelerated format with one synchronous evening course at a time, delivered online or on campus, or a full-time summer immersion format with online classes from May to August. Both conclude with student teaching experiences in real classrooms.

Depending on the learning format they choose, students may be able to select the Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle/High School track.

A teacher standing at the front of a classroom.

What Skills Will You Learn in the MAT Program?

WPU鈥檚 MAT program supports you on the path to teaching licensure by enabling you to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to lead effectively in a classroom that is culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse. You鈥檒l learn how to:

Teach with confidence in your chosen subject area, whether in an early childhood, elementary, or middle/high school setting
Design and deliver classes using a standards-aligned curriculum and lesson planning
Support learners from all backgrounds through culturally responsive teaching practices
Create a classroom environment that fosters engagement and students鈥� success
Assess and guide students鈥� learning through assessments and performance data
Apply research to your teaching through evidence-based practices and continuous improvement

All MAT program students benefit from:听

Instruction by experienced faculty who bring real-world insights from P-12 education听
A Christian-centered curriculum that emphasizes ethical leadership听
The support of WPU鈥檚 Learning Communities cohort model, which fosters strong professional connections and personalized attention from instructors

What Can You Do With a Master of Arts in Teaching?

Earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree can enhance your teaching qualifications and can potentially lead to higher salaries in the education field.

Here are the median annual salaries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for roles commonly sought by MAT graduates, along with some common responsibilities for each role:

Elementary School Teacher	Middle School Teacher	High School Teacher
$62,340	$62,970	$64,580
Create lesson plans and teach students subjects that include math, science, and reading Evaluate students鈥� abilities and help them overcome challenges Communicate with family members about their students鈥� progress	Provide focused instruction on specific subject areas Prepare students for standardized tests to align with state requirements Teach planned lessons to large classes or small groups	Adapt lesson plans on specific subject areas for diverse student groups Grade students鈥� tests and assignments Work with administrators and families to help students improve their abilities

Individual educators鈥� salaries can vary based on factors such as their job title, experience, and location. Gaining further certifications or taking on leadership responsibilities within an educational institution can also impact an individual鈥檚 earning potential.

Teaching Licensure With an MAT

While an online MAT degree program can help individuals prepare to teach in states across the U.S., the WPU Online MAT degree program is focused on helping individuals prepare to become teachers in Oregon and to obtain an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License. Oregon is currently experiencing a significant teacher shortage, with hundreds of open positions across the state.

Students who complete all of WPU鈥檚 MAT program requirements are eligible for an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License. Along with their academic and clinical work, students must successfully complete all Oregon state required assessments to qualify for licensure.

Accelerated MAT Degree Curriculum

All candidates for WPU鈥檚 MAT degree must complete at least 35 credits of coursework, with at least 30 credits completed at WPU with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and no individual course grade lower than a C-. All classroom work and student teaching must be completed within 30 months of the student鈥檚 start date.

Program requirements include:

17 credits of core education courses
Eight credits of early childhood/elementary courses or eight credits of middle/high school courses
10 credits of student teaching and seminar courses

To fulfill the above requirements, students may submit a request to transfer credits for up to two courses, provided they were earned in the past five years and the request was made in writing prior to the start of the program.

Prerequisites

MAT students must have successfully completed prerequisite courses in human development and learning theory prior to beginning the methods (ED 571A-ED 577A) and student teaching (ED 681A and ED 695A) courses.

Education Core Courses (17 Credits)

ED 515A | Classroom Management | 2 credits
ED 535A | Curriculum Planning and Instruction | 3 credits
ED 551A | Foundations of Education | 1 credit
ED 555A | Urban Education and Diverse/Exceptional Learners | 3 credits
ED 573A | ESOL Instruction for Classroom Teachers | 2 credits
ED 596A | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 credits
ED 661A | Education Research | 3 credits

Early Childhood/Elementary Track Courses (8 Credits)

Students who choose the Early Childhood/Elementary course of study gain an endorsement in multiple subjects. The Early Childhood/Elementary track is only available to students enrolled in the standard accelerated MAT format.

ED 571A | Art/PE/Music in the PK-8 Classroom | 2 credits
ED 572A | Teaching Math and Science in the PK-8 Classroom | 3 credits
ED 574A | Literacy and Social Studies in the PK-8 Classroom | 3 credits

Middle/High School Track Courses (8 Credits)

Students who choose the Middle/High School course of study gain an endorsement in English language arts, advanced math, biology, social studies, or health. The Middle/High School track is available to students enrolled in either the standard accelerated MAT format or the full-time summer MAT format. The full-time summer MAT also includes physical education as an endorsement area option.

ED 575A | Literacy in the Content Area | 3 credits
ED 576A | Instructional Methods for Middle and High School | 3 credits
ED 577A | Educational Trends in Middle and High School | 2 credits

Clinical Experiences and Seminar Courses (10 Credits)

A candidate who has earned a minimum 3.0 GPA for all classroom work is eligible to begin their student teaching fieldwork. A placement coordinator from the Warner Pacific Education Department will work with local school districts to secure a classroom placement for eligible students.

ED 681A | Professional Development Seminar | 2 credits
ED 695A | Student Teaching | 8 credits

Insight From a WPU Graduate

鈥淲PU has given my education and career a purpose in which it鈥檚 not about making a living, but about building for others.鈥�

鈥� Ivan Gonzalez Cisneros, 2025 WPU graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the accelerated MAT format entail?

Offered through WPU鈥檚 Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) division, the MAT degree program considers the unique needs of today鈥檚 adult learners, many of whom are balancing work and family responsibilities. Focused on preparing students to pursue their Oregon Preliminary Teaching License, the MAT program is offered in an accelerated format with flexible online and in-person coursework options.

In WPU鈥檚 standard accelerated MAT format, coursework is delivered via synchronous class meetings with students taking one class at a time, one evening per week. Students attend classes either online or in person, and courses are between two and seven weeks in length. Students select a specialty focus area 鈥� Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle/High School 鈥� and complete a 15-week student teaching experience.

In the accelerated summer immersion format, students take a full-time course load of one- to three-week classes, mornings and afternoons, from May to August. Students attend these synchronous class meetings in an online environment, focusing on the Middle/High School endorsement area. This is followed by a 15-week clinical experience of student teaching in the fall semester, with the program finishing in December.

How long does the MAT degree program take to complete?

If you鈥檙e ready to apply to the accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching program, please review WPU鈥檚 admissions requirements. Candidates interested in applying to WPU鈥檚 MAT program must:

鈥⑻鼿ave earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university

鈥⑻齋upply official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended

鈥⑻鼿ave a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all higher education coursework

鈥⑻齋ubmit an academic paper on a current issue in any field of study

鈥⑻齋ubmit three recommendations on the required form

鈥⑻齋ubmit a goal statement on the required form

鈥⑻齋uccessfully complete an interview with WPU鈥檚 Education Department

鈥⑻鼿ave already taken prerequisite courses in human lifespan development and learning theory

鈥⑻齋ubmit fingerprints to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and have them cleared

Discover more about our admissions requirements, program requirements, and start dates in our course catalog.

How do I receive a teaching license in Oregon?

In order to be licensed to teach in Oregon, individuals must meet all the requirements and regulations of the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission at the time of their licensure. To receive an :

鈥⑻齌he candidate must have completed a teacher preparation program and must qualify for at least one endorsement, including passing any required assessment exams.

鈥⑻齏PU must have submitted a program completion report.

鈥⑻齌he candidate must meet all requirements concerning knowledge of U.S. and Oregon civil rights laws and professional ethics.

鈥⑻齌he candidate must agree to a background clearance.

鈥⑻齌he candidate must submit a complete and correct application and payment of all fees.

Review the to a teaching license.

Is the MAT program accredited?

糖心Vlog is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). In addition, WPU鈥檚 MAT program is approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and aligned with Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards.

What careers can I pursue with an MAT?

Individuals who have graduated with an MAT and obtained a state teaching license qualify for roles as elementary school, middle school, and high school teachers.听

With further experience or certification, many MAT degree graduates pursue roles beyond traditional teaching, such as:

鈥⑻齋pecialized instructional positions, such as literacy or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) specialist roles

鈥⑻齊oles in curriculum development, educational consulting, or instructional coaching

鈥⑻鼳dministrative positions

鈥⑻齊oles in corporate training, nonprofit education programs, or education technology (edtech) companies

Where can I learn more about tuition and financial aid?

WPU strives to provide students with a valuable education at an affordable cost, with tuition rates that are more than 40% lower than the average private university tuition in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, most WPU students receive some form of financial aid. To explore your financial aid options, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Graduate Programs

Academic Year	Per-Credit Tuition
2025-2026听	$910
2026-2027	$910

For a full list of fees, please visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Learn More About WPU鈥檚 Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

Rooted in the university鈥檚 Christian values, the MAT program offered by WPU and WPU Online prioritizes moral integrity and service, preparing future educators to address the diverse needs of students in a multifaceted society.

If you鈥檙e interested in making a difference in your community and influencing future generations, start by enrolling in WPU鈥檚 accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching program. To learn more, contact the admissions team at 800.804.1510, or fill out the form below.听

Explore Related Programs

Master of Education

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education with Special Education Endorsement听

Special Education (SPED) Endorsement

Questions?

Our Education faculty would love to hear from you.

Dr. Jeannie Ray-Timoney

Teaching Dean of Education, Assistant Professor of Education

Faculty

School of: Education

Phone: 503-517-1051

View Bio

Dr. Kevin Spooner

Associate Dean of Education, Associate Professor of Education