The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education is designed for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university to earn both a Master’s degree and a Utah state teaching license in Elementary Education (K-8). Candidates will be prepared with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be effective classroom teachers at the graduate level.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education is designed for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university to earn both a Master’s degree and a Utah state teaching license in Secondary Education (6-12). Candidates will be prepared with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be effective classroom teachers at the graduate level.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education is designed for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university to earn both a Master’s degree and a Utah state teaching license in K-12 Mild/Moderate Special Education. Candidates will be prepared with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be effective special educators at the graduate level.
Understanding the Difference Between the MAT and the MEd at Weber State University
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and the Master of Education (MEd) serve different purposes and are designed for different stages of an educator’s career.
The MAT is a licensure-focused degree. It is designed for individuals who want to become licensed teachers or who are completing initial teacher licensure. MAT programs combine graduate-level coursework with supervised clinical experiences (such as practicum and student teaching) to prepare candidates to teach in K–12 classrooms. If your primary goal is to earn a teaching license and begin teaching, the MAT is typically the appropriate choice.
The MEd is an advanced professional degree. It is intended for educators who may already hold a teaching license and want to deepen their knowledge, specialize, or advance their careers. MEd programs focus on areas such as curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, educational technology, family life education, higher education leadership, or inclusive early childhood education and care that usually do not lead to initial licensure. If you are hoping to pursue professional growth, leadership opportunities, career advancement, or further education, such as a doctoral degree, the MEd is usually the better fit.
In short:
- Choose the MAT if you are seeking initial teacher licensure.
- Choose the MEd if you are already licensed and/or want advanced study or career advancement.