The M.A.T. in English can be your ticket to teaching if you have a degree in English but lack the required credentials to be an educator. The program will provide you with coursework in lesson planning, teaching methods and other skills necessary to thrive in the classroom and receive a teaching licensure. Students will also expand their knowledge of English and literature from Western Carolina University’s award-winning, well-published faculty. The program requires applicants to provide a senior level analytic essay that synthesizes multiple sources and articulates arguments.
The M.A.T. in English is is a 42-semester hour program that will develop your skills as a teacher and increase your understanding of English. Students will take courses like Foundations of Teacher Leadership in a Diverse Society; Child and Adolescent Development; Methods of Teaching Literature; and Linguistic Perspectives. The program also includes practical experience during an semester-long internship paired with a seminar course. Successful completion of the program leads to recommendation of licensure from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
WCU’s M.A.T. graduates will be eligible to teach English in grades 9-12. The National Education Association states the average salary for North Carolina public school teachers is $47,783 for the 2014-15 school year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 6% increase in high school teacher hirings by 2022. There are also a number of opportunities across the nation and internationally for primary and secondary teachers.