In this program, students will:
- Earn a degree from a top-ranked school
- Attend live online classes, complemented by dynamic coursework
- Hone teaching skills through field experiences in or near their communities
- Prepare to earn a teaching credential
Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching online. Request more information.
Prepare for Your Teaching Credential
Earning a Master of Arts in Teaching online degree from USC Rossier prepares students to earn a teaching credential in California.
California Education Specialist Credential
The California Education Specialist Credential prepares students to work with students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. California Education Specialist credential holders are certified to provide regular classroom instruction at either the elementary or secondary level. While there are no additional units required to add this credential to the MAT online program of study, students must complete additional exams and fieldwork.
California Bilingual Authorization in Spanish
The California Bilingual Authorization in Spanish prepares students to teach language learners whose primary language is Spanish. With this authorization, students have the option to teach in either bilingual settings or in English dominant settings with Spanish language learners. Students pursuing this authorization must be fluent in Spanish. While there are no additional units required to add this credential to the MAT online program of study, students must complete additional exams and fieldwork.
Gifted Education Certificate
The Gifted Education Certificate is designed to help educators develop the specialized knowledge and skills needed to recognize and respond to individual differences among gifted and talented students and to address the varying needs, interests and abilities of all students. This certificate requires 4 units of additional coursework.
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MAT online Curriculum
The MAT online program offers the same academically rigorous curriculum as our on-campus program. The curriculum equips students with the foundational knowledge, hands-on field experience and teaching strategies to effectively improve student outcomes and build positive classroom environments.
- Theory
Develop foundational knowledge about core theories, concepts and critical issues in the field. - Application
Apply theory through practice teaching, observations and action research in classrooms. - Mastery
Master instructional strategies in collaboration with guiding teachers, faculty and peers.
Student Experience
We’re serious about teaching teachers. Our MAT online program is rigorous, hands-on and collaborative. Students form meaningful relationships with classmates and a worldwide community of educators — see what it means to be part of the legendary #TrojanFamily.
Credentialing Information
Regarding Program Completer Status
The USC Rossier MAT online program requires students to fulfill all California-based requirements that, after completion, would allow a student to apply for licensure. If a student is pursuing licensure outside of California, they are still expected to complete all program requirements. Doing so will grant the student program completer status following graduation, which will be necessary for their licensure application in their chosen state. Lacking an institution’s program completer status or recommendation will likely inhibit the process of obtaining licensure outside of the university’s home state.
While students must complete all requirements to receive program completer status, they are not required to apply for and obtain California licensure. In some states, applying with an out-of-state credential may expedite or delay the in-state licensing process. Students are encouraged to do their own due diligence and determine the appropriate application pathway and license type for themselves.
Regarding Internationally-Located Students
Internationally-located students wanting to pursue the MAT online program must be in possession of a valid social security number, so that they may take any required entrance and licensure exams. Internationally-located students must also provide a domestic address that can be used to place them in an appropriate student teaching position; the program does not provide student teaching experiences outside of the US.
Program Concentrations
Multiple Subject Teaching Concentration
This concentration allows students to prepare for a multiple subject teaching credential and go on to teach a range of primary school subjects to students in grades K-6.
Single Subject Teaching Concentration
This concentration allows students to prepare for a single subject teaching credential and go on to teach secondary education subjects to students in middle and high schools. Students choose between four concentrations: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.
Career Outcomes
This program is focused on preparing classroom teachers.
Less traditional career paths may include:
- Substitute Teacher
- Correctional Center Teacher
- Online Instructor
- Tutor
- Athletic Coach
- English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor
Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching online. Request more information today.