Frequently Asked Questions

The master's in teaching programs are pathways for career changers to become licensed teachers while obtaining Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. The programs lead to initial licensure in Indiana for grades Kindergarten through 6 in elementary school, or licensure in various subject areas at the secondary (middle and high school) level. If you have a bachelor’s degree and you’d like to become a licensed teacher, you’re invited to apply to one of our MAT programs. The MAT programs include a focus on how to successfully teach children whose heritage languages are not English so that our graduates know how to include all children in the social and academic languages of their classrooms.

Yes, you must have already completed a bachelor's degree in order to apply to a master's in teaching (MAT) program. However, your previous degree does not have to be in education. For the elementary MAT, transcripts are evaluated to determine whether applicants have a broad educational background that includes coursework in mathematics, science, social studies, and English. For the secondary MAT, transcripts are evaluated to determine whether applicants have the necessary courses in the content areas that they want to teach. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 is preferred.

The MAT programs include a focus on how to teach a child whose native language is not English. The programs don’t prepare teachers who are specialists in English as a New Language (ENL) or teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL), although this is an additional license that some of our students choose to add. The programs prepare regular classroom teachers who know how to teach children from language minority backgrounds. The programs don’t require you to study a second language, but to learn effective ways of teaching children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Part-time master's in teaching programs lead to initial licensure and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in two years. It requires one semester of full-time student teaching during the final five months of the program.

The programs seek candidates from diverse educational and professional backgrounds who are interested in teaching and who have a strong interest in cultural and language diversity. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of their full application package. The programs seek cohorts of a maximum of 20 individuals who wish to make career changes into teaching.

The part-time master's in teaching program asks that candidates make two-year commitments and work with peers as part of cohort groups. New cohorts start each semester and classes are offered on weekends. The final semester of the part-time programs requires a full-time commitment Monday through Friday during the day for student teaching. Candidates who complete the program successfully graduate in May two years after beginning the program, and they are eligible for teaching licenses.

The requirements for Marian’s MAT program are:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75
• A criminal history check through the Indiana State Police 

Basic Academic Skills Proficiency

Prospective students are no longer required to earn a minimum score on the SAT, ACT, GRE, or CASA to be considered for admission into the Transition to Teaching or Master of Arts in Teaching programs at Marian University.

However, prospective students must demonstrate proficiency in basic academic skills. Marian University requires you to submit one of the assessments listed below. (Applicants are not required to earn a minimum score for admission. ALL applications will be considered).

• ACT
• SAT
• GRE
• Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test
  
• Earned Master’s degree with Official Transcript

To speak with someone about the program, please contact Marlon Llewellyn, director of recruitment and strategic partnerships, at mllewellyn@marian.edu.