Master of Arts in Teaching FAQs

Graduate Level Teacher Preparation: An MAT degree from Tulane SoPA prepares students to become certified teachers in Louisiana. If you are already working in a school, being certified as a teacher with a master’s degree can be a means of advancing professionally and increasing your earning potential.  The MAT, like other Tulane SoPA education programs, offers an inspiring and high-quality course of study for aspiring and current teachers that is also accessible, affordable, flexible, and attainable for working adults.

Affordability: Tuition is competitive with comparable programs in our area. Many students qualify for a 20% discount, reducing the cost per credit hour.

Tulane SoPA is waiving the cost of tuition for students currently working in Orleans Parish public schools and those who commit to working in an Orleans Parish public school after graduation.  Additionally, students may be eligible for tuition discounts, waivers, and stipends, grants and financial aid.

Accessibility: We enact inclusive admissions policies and straightforward enrollment processes to ensure our student body reflects our society. Full-or part-time enrollment depends on you and your needs. Most of the Tulane SoPA MAT courses are offered online and have both robust asynchronous components that can be completed on your schedule and synchronous meetings scheduled in the evening in order to ensure access for working adults.

Faculty Experts: Tulane SoPA’s Education Programs faculty are all practitioners who have taught and led schools both in Orleans Parish schools and beyond, bringing a variety of experiences and expertise to the curriculum. Faculty provide teacher candidates with opportunities to connect research, theory, and practice. The cohort model allows you to learn with and from each other, while being mentored by highly qualified teachers in the Greater New Orleans area.

Professional Support: Tulane SoPA’s partnerships with schools across Greater New Orleans ensure you are placed in an environment meant to develop you for your teaching journey with access to great schools and excellent mentor teachers.  For practicing teachers, your classroom serves as your placement in the field with program faculty and experienced teachers to support you in applying your learning.  For all others, we work with you in ensuring appropriate school experiences that fit with your schedule.   You apply your learning in real-time and thus have an opportunity to make an immediate, positive impact on students before you lead your own classroom.

Certification:  The Tulane SoPA MAT provides avenues toward Louisiana teacher certification in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Elementary Education (ELE), or Secondary  Education in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language. Tulane SoPA also provides opportunities for interested students to earn additional, specialized certifications, including Mild to Moderate K-12 Special Education (SPED) and Teaching English Learners (TEL).

As part of our promise for inclusivity in admissions, Tulane SoPA welcomes prospective candidates regardless of their current background or experience in education.  We encourage career changers and transfer students, as well as practicing teachers wishing to increase their qualifications and earning potential.  Our admissions criteria include:

• Earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution prior to the first semester of proposed graduate study
• Have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in undergraduate coursework; students with grade point averages below 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission, provided that they demonstrate significant professional experience in a relevant field and a professional letter of reference.
• A personal statement of 500-1,000 words discussing your career interest and how the program will assist you in achieving your personal or professional goals.
• Official college transcripts from each college attended.

Students seeking tuition waivers or other financial support may be required to submit additional materials to determine eligibility for funding.

Submit applications here.

Thirty-three (33) credit hours are needed to complete the Secondary Education MAT and 36 credit hours to complete the Early Childhood Education MAT or the Elementary Education MAT. Six  credit hours of state required residency placement is included in the required credit hours.

Yes, the Tulane SoPA MAT is flexible and students may attend part-time. Part-time is six credits (two courses) every semester and the degree can be earned in two years (six semesters).

The Tulane SoPA  MAT degree is designed to be completed full-time in a minimum of 18 months (4 semesters).  The maximum amount of time allowed to complete a master’s degree at Tulane is four years.

Yes.  In this program, clinical experience hours are embedded in the methods and residency courses. During the final year (two semesters), students complete the residency requiresments as a student teaching resident or a practitioner teacher resident.

To participate in the online courses, you will need a laptop, tablet or desktop with high-speed internet access.  Training and technical support will be offered throughout your time in the program.

Yes. The dispositions, knowledge, and skills developed in Tulane SoPA’s program are applicable across United States’ classrooms.  This program provides a pathway to initial licensure in the State of Louisiana.  For those who wish to work outside of the Louisiana upon program completion, a reciprocity agreement is in place with 42 other states across the country.  For state reciprocity regarding certification, find out more here.

Students who are currently in the Education Programs Post-baccalaureate Certificate program may be eligible to transition to the Tulane SoPA MAT program.  Additional coursework will be required.   Please contact Dr. Claudine Davis for more information.

You can reach us by email at PreK12_Education@tulane.edu or by phone at (504) 247-1620.