Program: Teaching, MAT - University of Houston Downtown

Mar 26, 2025

2018-2019 GRADUATE CATALOG

Bernardo Pohl, MAT Director
C440, 713-221-8502

The Master of Arts in Teaching, Curriculum and Instruction (with area of expertise), and the Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification (EC-6Core Subjects, 4-8 Generalist Core Subjects and Secondary Education) are designed to support existing teachers in advancing their expertise and to prepare future educators to teach in urban classrooms, respectively. The emphasis on urban teaching makes this graduate degree unique. To meet the special needs of all children in urban classrooms, students completing the MAT degree will demonstrate competency in the following areas of knowledge:

Characteristics and needs of learners in multicultural settings.
Effective teaching practices that enhance student achievement for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or language spoken.
Factors related to the development of effective teaching environments in urban classrooms.
Classroom-based research methodology to support best instructional practices.
Enriched understanding of academic content areas of language arts, social studies, mathematics, the natural sciences, English as a second language, and educational technology.

Program Outcomes

Graduates who earn a MAT in Masters in Teaching will be able to:

Demonstrate competency in the area of leadership.
Demonstrate competency in the area of effective teaching practices that enhance student learning.
Demonstrate competency in critical thinking and problem solving.
Write effectively.

Admission Requirements

Admission to either MAT program is a competitive process and seeks to identify applicants who have the qualities necessary to complete the program with success and the potential to impact the field of education.

Complete a graduate application for admission at: www.applytexas.org

Be sure to indicate MAT and specify your area of expertise or certification seeking.

Provide official transcripts that reflect at least the last sixty semester hours of course work and evidence of a baccalaureate degree awarded from a regionally accredited institution. If you attended a college or university outside the U.S., your transcripts must be evaluated by a service recognized by UHD. Refer to the UHD website for a list of suggested credential evaluation services. https://www.uhd.edu/admissions/transfer/Pages/admissions-naces.aspx.

Submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, which include quantitative, verbal and analytical writing. Candidates whose baccalaureate degree was earned more than 10 years ago must complete the GRE with minimum scores of 150 each on the quantitative and verbal sections, and a minimum score of 4 on the analytical writing section.

Submit a personal statement of a minimum of 700 words that describes your educational and professional backgrounds and how they will contribute to your success in the MAT program.

Include three MAT Recommendation letters from professionals acquainted with your academic and professional potential, such as a school principal, department coordinator or university professor.

Admissions interview after all other documentation is submitted.

PACT (Preadmission Content Test) is required for all applicants to the MAT with Teacher Certification program.

APPLICATION DUE DATES. The Application due date for MAT with Teacher Certification for a Fall semester start only is July 15th.The application due date for MAT in Curriculum and Instruction is July 15th for the Fall semester and November 15th for The Spring semester. Any questions regarding the admissions process should be directed to UHD graduate admissions or the College of Public Service Assistant Director for Graduate Studies.

Degree Requirements (36 hours)

The MAT degree program requires completion of a minimum of 36 semester credit hours. For degree completion, at least 30 hours must be completed at UH-Downtown with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. In addition, students must successfully complete a directed studies project (MAT 6390 ) with approval of the director of graduate programs and under the supervision of their appointed faculty advisor.

Students seeking the MAT degree should select one of the following options:

For Certified Teachers and those not seeking Texas teaching certification: Masters of Arts in Teaching, Curriculum and Instruction with concentration, (36 graduate hours)

-OR-

Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification (EC-6 Core Subjects with ESL Supplementation, 4-8 Core Subjects with ESL Supplemental and Secondary Education), (36 graduate hours)

Students seeking certification in conjunction with the MAT will be recommended for certification based upon: (1) satisfactory completion of coursework, (2) performance in the classroom, (3) the passing of Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) state certification tests, and (4) recommendation of the director of graduate programs.

MAT, C&I Core Courses Required (18 Hours)

Concentrations

Students select one area of concentration from the following:

MAT with Certification, Courses Required (27 Hours)

Important Note: Students may NOT be enrolled in any other certification program while pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification. Students may only begin this program in the Fall semester. There is not a Summer or Spring start option.

ESL 5333 - ESL Instruction/Assessment and the Acquisition of Language Concepts
ESL 5334 - Foundations of ESL Education, Cultural Awareness, and Family/Community Involvement
ETC 5301 - Advanced Educational Technology
MAT 5310 - Understanding the EC-12 Learner and Learning Environment
MAT 6316 - Advanced Methods for the Culturally Diverse Classroom
MAT 6320 - Using Data for Assessment and Evaluation
MAT 6390 - Directed Study in Urban Teaching
MAT 6601 - MAT with Certification Student Teaching (note that this course is 6 credit hours)

Certification Areas: Students Select One Certification Area from the Following: (9 Hours)

EC-6 and 4-8 Core Subjects and ESL Supplemental Certification

Secondary

Additional Requirements

Transfer of Graduate Credits

No more than six hours of equivalent graduate course work may be transferred from other accredited universities. A minimum grade of B is required in any completed courses that students wish to transfer. Petition for transfer credit is required to be submitted by the graduate student for review and approval comes from the Director of Graduate Programs and the Graduate Committee’s review of the course’s equivalency. Transfer credit is by permission only and is not a right of the student.

Minimum Academic Requirements

Successful completion of each course is required to remain in either program of the MAT. Students earning three C’s, one D or one F will be removed from the program once grades are officially posted for each semester.

Graduation

Graduation is dependent on successful completion of all course work with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, successful completion of the Capstone Project (MAT 6390 ) and an approved graduation application completed the semester prior to anticipated graduation.

Teaching, MAT