M.A.T. in Secondary Education
Teaching and Learning
456 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
Phone: (248) 370-2613
[email protected]
The Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (MATSE) program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are now seeking a career in teaching at the middle or high school level. The program combines teacher education coursework, three quality field placements in local schools, and culminates in a student teaching internship with a skilled mentor.
To schedule an advising appointment, call us at (248) 370-4182 or email [email protected].
Program Overview Information PacketRequest More Information
To accommodate working individuals, classes meet in-person two evenings per week with additional online courses and instruction. Courses are taken as a cohort group with coursework beginning in the winter semester. During the student teaching internship, students work in a local school full-time. At the completion of the student teaching internship, students will be eligible for recommendation for a Michigan standard teaching certificate (grades 5-9, and 7-12). To complete the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, students complete one more class after successfully completing student teaching.
For individuals whose prior coursework does not fulfill a teachable major and/or minor, additional undergraduate courses may be required for admission. This coursework must be completed prior to admission to the MATSE program. Also, successful scores on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) entrance exams are required for admission.
Combined Bachelor's and Master's Program
Starting in fall 2023, secondary education programs are offered in a Combined Bachelors and Masters Degree Program in English Language Arts, Integrated Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies with History. For additional details about how to apply and on the course sequence, view the online information packet or view the course catalog.
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Integrated Science
- Social Studies
Program plans for each of the above programs are available upon request. Please email [email protected].
One of the primary benefits of Oakland University's teacher preparation program is field experiences provided in local school districts. Participants receive varied experiences working with school-age children and have an opportunity to apply coursework to the teaching environment as they learn it.
- Students will complete a minimum of 100 hours of field experience to observe instruction, classroom management strategies, work with students, and implement lessons prior to the student teaching internship. These hours are divided into 3 semesters of increasing hours (20, 30, 50 hours). Fields are generally completed as weekly or semi-weekly half-day visits to a classroom during the specified semester.
- Field experiences and your student teaching internship are arranged for you by Oakland University and are requirements from the MDE. Applicants should plan ahead to make accommodations to cover these requirements.
- Student teaching is 15 weeks full-time in the classroom and includes all school-related activities.
SL&L Account
Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L) - sll.watermarkinsights.com is an online assessment tool that every candidate of the initial teacher preparation programs in the School of Education and Human Services is required to use. Once you are accepted to the program, you will receive an email from the office of Continuous Improvement (delao@oakland.edu) that will provide you with information to purchase your account.
Prospective and Current Student Advising
SEHS Advising Office
(248) 370-4182
[email protected]
For additional information, complete this MAT inquiry form.
Faculty Program Coordinator
Tuf Francis
485G Pawley Hall
[email protected]
In order to be eligible for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (MATSE) program, you must first:
- Have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Improved grades in recent coursework will be considered.
- Submit a transcript review to [email protected]. (See "Steps to Apply" tab for directions on how to submit a transcript review). This is a mandatory first step for all applicants.
- Request an individual appointment once you have your transcript review back. Individual appointments can be made by calling (248) 370-4182 or emailing [email protected].
- Complete prerequisites based on your transcript evaluation, you may have some prerequisite coursework to complete for your teachable major. You can work with the SEHS Advising team to determine when and where to take those classes.
- Transcript Evaluation
IMPORTANT: To be eligible for the MATSE program, you must have a transcript evaluation to determine if you have met the prerequisite coursework. To have your transcript reviewed, send an email to [email protected] and include:- A copy of transcripts from all institutions you have attended. If you are an OU alumni, simply provide your full name and Grizzly ID or date of birth.
- If you are using parchment or national student clearinghouse to request your transcripts, send them to yourself and then attach a PDF copy to your email.
- Please include which teaching major you are interested in: English Language Arts, Integrated Science, Mathematics, or Social Studies.
- Online Graduate Application
- Create an account at gradapply.oakland.edu/apply.
- After creating your account, select “Start new application”
- Select: "Graduate School Application."
- For Degree Type, select “Master's Degree”
- For Academic Program and Location, select “Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Education”
- Two professional recommendations will be required as a part of your application
- Supplemental Items: Return to the Application home screen to submit the additional supplemental items required for this program. Upload or complete the following:
- Resume or Curriculum Vita: Include all relevant educational, professional, or volunteer experience with children/youth
- Goal Statement: In two pages or less, please include a short biography, your professional goals, and respond to the following: (1) What experiences have led you to believe you would enjoy teaching middle/high school students? (2) What abilities do you have that lead you to believe you can manage a classroom? (3) What grade levels and/or areas of the curriculum do you hope to teach and why? (4) What knowledge, experience or personal attributes do you have that will benefit your students? (5) What do you hope to accomplish in a teaching career?
- Request official transcripts from all postâsecondary educational institutions from which you earned a degree or that you enrolled in for your prerequisite coursework. Official college transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing college or university to [email protected] or in a sealed envelope to: Graduate Admissions - Oakland University, O'Dowd Hall, Room 520, 586 Pioneer Drive, Rochester, MI 48309-4482.
- Admission Decision
After your application is complete (including all course and testing requirements), it can take up to two weeks to hear a decision. To check on the status of your application, you can contact Graduate Admissions at (248) 370-2700 or [email protected].