Earn Your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Southern

 

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Answer the Call to Teach

If God has placed a passion for teaching in your heart, Southern’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program can help you become a licensed teacher and turn that calling into a fulfilling career.

This graduate teacher education program combines practical classroom training with Christian values, offering mentorship, hands-on experience, and a relationship-centered approach. Whether you pursue elementary or secondary education, you’ll graduate prepared to teach with competence, compassion, and integrity.

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The MAT Application Process

Eligibility and Prerequisites

  • Bachelor's degree:  A bachelor’s degree (in any area) from an accredited program
  • GPA requirement:  A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00

Admission Process

  1. Graduate application:  Submit a graduate application (with non-refundable fee of $40).
  2. Transcripts:  Submit official college and university transcripts. 
  3. Recommendations: Submit two recommendation forms (completed by work supervisors or professors).
  4. Statement:  Submit a statement of purpose. View guidelines 
  5. Resumé:  Submit your current resumé through your Application Status Page.
  6. Background check:  Successfully complete an approved background check. Download form
  7. Criminal-Record Release and Declaration:  Submit the Criminal-Record Release and Declaration. Download form

Application Deadlines

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TERM

U.S. RESIDENTS

INTERNATIONAL

Fall

August 1

July 1

Winter

November 15

October 1

Summer

April 15

N/A

The Teaching Skills You'll Learn in the MAT Program

We've all had many teachers in our lives, so we each have some idea of how teachers operate and what their day-to-day looks like. But how exactly do they get there, and how did they learn to do it?

Here are a few examples of what you'll learn in the MAT program to help prepare you for becoming a successful teacher.

Classroom Management

This is the process by which teachers and schools ensure that their classroom runs smoothly and without disruptive behavior from their students. You'll learn to maintain appropriate conduct from your students by creating a structured learning environment with clear rules that promote learning.

Evaluation and Assessment

While distinct from each other, evaluation and assessment often go hand-in-hand. Assessment is feedback from the student to the instructor about what and how they're learning. Evaluation, on the other hand, uses methods and measures to judge student learning and understanding of the material for purposes of grading and reporting. You'll feel confident with both.

Planning and Instruction

It's not just about what the students learn, but how they learn it. Through the MAT program, you'll learn strategies for creating effective lesson plans that are both engaging and informational so your students can learn the information and have fun doing it. You'll also learn how to pull meaningful insights from the classroom and adjust your lesson plans for future use.

Your Specialty Subject

Whatever your desired area of specialty is, such as elementary ed, mathematics, science, history, or language arts, you'll have the opportunity to learn different methods for teaching the material. In each discipline, there are many different approaches to which you'll be exposed and you'll have the opportunity to determine which one works the best for you and your students.

Highlight: Answer the Call to Teach


Southern Adventist University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program is growing rapidly—attracting future educators from across the country who are ready to lead classrooms with confidence and purpose. Fully online and Christ-centered, the MAT offers a flexible path to certification and professional growth.

Learn why more students are choosing Southern’s MAT.

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Master of Arts in Teaching

Choose your area of interest.

MAT Course Guide

Elementary K-5 Job-Embedded Pathway

The Elementary K-5 Job-Embedded Pathway allows students to gain clinical teaching experience while working toward their licensure. With foundational courses in education and classroom management, MAT students will be prepared to thrive in an elementary school setting. 

See the course list

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MAT Course Guide

Elementary K-5 Student-Teaching Pathway

The Elementary K-5 Student-Teaching Pathway allows students to work closely with a qualified teacher to gain hands-on classroom experience. This program emphasizes elementary education. 

See the course list

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MAT Course Guide

Secondary Core Academic Job-Embedded Pathway 

The Secondary Core Academic Job-Embedded Pathway allows students to gain clinical teaching experience while working toward their licensure. This program emphasizes secondary education. 

See the course list

Teacher in the computer lab with students

MAT Course Guide

Secondary Core Academic Student-Teaching Pathway

The Secondary Core Academic Student-Teaching Pathway allows students to work closely with a qualified teacher to gain hands-on classroom experience. This program emphasizes secondary education. 

See the course list

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What Salaries Can You Earn with an MAT?

Salary ranges for teachers vary widely based on your location, level of experience, subject matter, whether you teach in a private or public school, and many other factors. You also have the ability to increase your salary by earning additional certifications and taking on leadership responsibilities within the school.

Within the field of education, you'll have the opportunity to pursue career advancement opportunities outside of the classroom as well.
Many teachers go on to pursue administrative roles such as being principal, superintendent, consultant, and other opportunities in education.

Here's a quick snapshot of the salaries you could earn in the education field:

Teachers with an MAT (National Average)
$77,400 – $97,900
Teachers with an MAT (Tennesee Average)
$61,900 – $73,610
Principal
$112,139
Superintendent
$168,950
Education Consultant
$78,122


The Career-Changer's Guide to Becoming a Teacher

Career changing is becoming increasingly common. If you've been thinking about teaching as a second career, we invite you to read our eBook: The Career Changer's Guide to Becoming a Teacher. 

Inside this interactive experience, you'll find insights into:

  • The benefits of being a teacher
  • What it takes to be successful as a teacher
  • The difference between an MAT and MEd
  • What the path to becoming a teacher looks like
  • What makes Southern's program unique
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Teaching as a Mission: Building a Brighter Future

A career in teaching offers many benefits, from instructing others in fields that you’re passionate about, to creating real change in the lives of your students. If teaching is a calling, then how will you answer your calling?

More on the Blog

 

A Faith-Based Approach to Teaching

As a faith-based education program, we'll help you prepare to bring Christian values such as acceptance, compassion, humility, and servant leadership into your classrooms.

However, our program is open to all backgrounds and beliefs. We believe that our nurturing, relationship-based learning environment will help create the next generation of compassionate, thoughtful, and dedicated teachers.

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Start Your Application

Looking for More Program Information?

We’d love to chat more with you about the specifics of the MAT program! You can request additional program information or schedule a meeting with a Southern representative below.

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Schedule a Zoom Meeting

Meet the Faculty 

Southern’s education faculty are passionate about sharing their love for teaching and bring decades of classroom experience to the program. Throughout your studies, you’ll learn from them, build relationships, and sharpen your skills with their support.

 

Tammy Overstreet, PhD headshot

Tammy Overstreet, PhD

Dean


423.236.2444
toverstreet@southern.edu

Krystal Bishop, EdD headshot

Krystal Bishop, EdD

Adjunct Professor


423.236.2774
kbishop@southern.edu

Gary Bradley, PhD headshot

Gary Bradley, PhD

Professor


423.236.2519
gbradley@southern.edu

Faith Laughlin headshot

Faith Laughlin


423.236.2414
laughlin@southern.edu

Jasmine Johnson, EdD headshot

Jasmine Johnson, EdD

Professor


423.236.2509
jnjohnson@southern.edu

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Why Southern?

Our flexible MAT program has an online component to help you learn how to become a teacher without putting the rest of your life on hold. And, unlike most programs that offer flexible schedules, we don’t require weekend classes.

Flexible. Valuable. Christ Centered

Learn More About Southern

 

 

Request More Information

Want to learn more about the education programs at Southern? Just fill out the form to receive additional program resources and insights.

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Rosa Mayr

Graduate Program Manager
rosamayr@southern.edu
423.236.2585

Let's Talk About You!

Welcome! I'm here to help you reach your goals.  Feel free to call, email, or visit me in Wright Hall. Whether you want to explore program options, or ask about application deadlines, no question is too big or too small. Let’s work together to help you accomplish your dreams!