Saint Louis University's Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)  with alternative certification is designed to enable students who have undergraduate degrees in subject areas and were not education majors to seek Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification via an alternative route.   This degree is designed to offer students expanded knowledge in subject-matter areas and pedagogy, current educational developments, and the processes of teaching and learning. 

In the spirit of the Jesuit tradition of education, this program is committed to providing students with:

• Individualized academic experiences that focus on their specific content area of intellectual interest.
• In-depth preparation in both pedagogical and research skills to apply theory to practice.
• Opportunities to address social and moral issues related to education, especially in urban settings.

Alternative Certification

SLU's Master of Arts in Teaching with alternative certification is designed to enable students who have undergraduate degrees in subject areas and were not education majors to seek Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification via an alternative route.

Billiken Teacher Corps

The Billiken Teacher Corps, a program of the Institute for Catholic Education, combines service and teaching to offer a unique opportunity for faith-driven college graduates to have a transformative impact on Catholic schools in the St. Louis metro area. Participants earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and complete their Missouri teaching certification while receiving full tuition remission. This scholarship is premised upon successful adherence to the standards of the Billiken Teacher Corps community residence and the standards for teachers in Catholic schools.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Master of Arts in Teaching degree requires completion of a minimum of 32 credits of coursework, an oral examination, and a content-focused theme paper. Students may choose from the traditional track or the alternative certification track.

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree with alternative certification requires the completion a minimum of 32 credits of coursework, successfully completing the required Missouri Educator Assessments, teaching for two years in an accredited Missouri public or non-public school having obtained Missouri provisional certification and participating in the school or district’s professional development programs and performance-based teacher evaluation program.

For members of the Billiken Teacher Corps and other students teaching in Catholic schools, the program requires completion of 37-38 credits.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Master of Arts in Teaching with alternative certification students teach full-time for two years on a DESE provisional teaching certificate. The principal of the school assigns a mentor who teaches in the same subject area and the same or similar grade level. A University supervisor makes classroom observations and holds follow-up conferences on a monthly basis.

Careers

Possible careers for graduates with an M.A.T. include teaching in an elementary self-contained classroom; teaching middle school language arts, mathematics, science or social studies; and teaching secondary English, mathematics, general science, biology, chemistry, social studies, art, music or world languages.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed 18 credits of upper-division undergraduate coursework in education or related areas approved by SLU's School of Education.

Master of Arts in Teaching with alternative certification applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree or higher in the area of emphasis or a related field of the desired certificate from a regionally accredited institution.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Letters of recommendation:
  • Alternative Certification: Two letters
  • Billiken Teacher Corps: Four letters
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Please note that application deadlines for this program differ for international students.

Application Deadlines

Master of Arts in Teaching with alternative certification students must start their program in the summer semester since the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires certain courses be taken before beginning to teach in the elementary, middle, or secondary school classroom.

• Alternative Certification: March 1 for priority consideration.
• Billiken Teacher Corps: January 25 for priority consideration.

Review Process

A committee reviews each application wholly.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for departmental graduate scholarships, students should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed.  

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Master of Arts in Teaching with alternative certification students must complete the Missouri requirements for a Provisional Certificate, the appropriate Missouri content assessment, and all other certification requirements established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Additionally, students must participate in the assigned school district’s professional development programs and Performance-Based Teacher Evaluation (PBTE) program.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Alternative Certification Track

Master of Arts in Teaching with Alternative Certification (Billiken Teacher Corps members and Catholic school educators)

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu