Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed for those seeking an initial teaching license in Tennessee. The programs of study are comprised of 36-semester credit hours of coursework focused on teaching skills and knowledge of current education environments, field experiences in schools, and a student teaching experience (traditional pathway) or a job-embedded clinical experience (alternate pathway) in partner schools.

Graduate Admissions Requirements Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate students MAT candidates must submit the following prior to enrollment in any MAT coursework:

Grade point average of at least 2.75 in a Bachelor's degree, or 3.00 in Master’s program;
A combined GRE score of 290 or better with a 3.7 on the writing assessment; a minimum Miller's Analogies Test score of 380, or a passing score (established by the TN State Department of Education) on a PRAXIS II Specialty Area Content or knowledge exam for the Tennessee teaching endorsement sought.
To be eligible for the job-embedded clinical experience (alternate pathway), candidates must present proof of content knowledge for the endorsement sought through completion of a degree in the content area or submission of a passing score on the PRAXIS II specialty area content or core knowledge exam for the Tennessee teaching endorsement sought.

Educator Preparation progression required for initial licensure candidates (traditional pathway):

all coursework must be completed prior to the final student teaching semester.
candidates must successfully pass content-knowledge related praxis exams, and passing scores must be on file with the EPP, prior to the final student teaching semester. Candidates may take the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam during the student teaching semester. NOTE: Starting in Fall 2019 candidates must pass all sections of the relevant edTPA exam to qualify for a teaching license in the State of Tennessee; the Principles of Learning and Teaching will not be an option.
the candidate must successfully participate in the TEP II Interview process and receive approval for participation in the final student teaching semester.

Candidates completing the job-embedded clinical experience (alternate pathway):

must meet all eligibility requirements for the Tennessee Practitioner's License (as outlined by the TN State Department of Education)
must enroll in and complete designated Cumberland University courses related to the job-embedded clinical experience during the first year of employment
must successfully participate in the TEP I and TEP II Interview process.