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Location: Fort Bend County, TX/USA/Mississauga, ON/Canada
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Do you think it is worth it to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching? I'm a 3rd year college student majoring in English (emphasis in American lit) & would like to enter into teaching sooner rather than later. I'm aware of the differences between the M.A.T. & the M.Ed.. I think this is a fairly new degree, but most of the programs are only 1 year. Would you suggest getting a M.A.T. or just going through an ACP (alternative certification program) & major in something that would be presumedly more lucrative?
Tell me your thoughts because I am taking the GRE this fall & am considering whether I should still continue my interest in the M.A.T. program? Thanks for the responses.
I got my MAT in 1980. I already had a BS in Biology.
The MAT was, and still is to my knowledge, a very desirable degree because you have to take some fairly serious courses in your content area as well as some education courses. (In my case, 15 graduate credits in Biology and 15 in Education.) In fact at USC (U of South Carolina) you cannot get a bachelor's degree in education anymore. Rather you complete a five-year program at the end of which you have the MAT.
I have heard that a great many school districts now require either the MAT or a bachelor's degree in some subject and then enough education courses to become certified. In the latter case you might as well get the MAT and get paid at a Master's level.
I would say it depends upon how much you really want to teach. In my district, a degree, whether MAT or MEd will always be viewed more positively than simply certification.
I'm not a teacher myself but have several friends and you typically make more money with the masters program (although I think right now there are some freezes on) but what I might do is teach for a few years then go for your masters, or is that even possible?
I think that in the public schools there is a bonus for a master's degree added to the regular pay scale. Many private schools require it. If you're single or have time, why not?
I think that in the public schools there is a bonus for a master's degree added to the regular pay scale. Many private schools require it. If you're single or have time, why not?
Having the Masters before you start teaching can make it more difficult to find a job, since it means the school has to pay you more right off the bat.
I thought about doing the M.A.T. Instead i am doing a 'cert only' program which is going to take me about a year. Once I find a job i am going to start a masters program.
Having the Masters before you start teaching can make it more difficult to find a job, since it means the school has to pay you more right off the bat.
I thought about doing the M.A.T. Instead i am doing a 'cert only' program which is going to take me about a year. Once I find a job i am going to start a masters program.
True- I wouldn't start a master's program unless I were already hired. Good point.
True- I wouldn't start a master's program unless I were already hired. Good point.
It was actually suggested to me by one M.A.T program not to do the program because of my age (23). Their reasoning was if it came down to me and a 21 year old with no masters degree the school would choose the student without the M.A.T because of cost.
It was actually suggested to me by one M.A.T program not to do the program because of my age (23). Their reasoning was if it came down to me and a 21 year old with no masters degree the school would choose the student without the M.A.T because of cost.
Well, I would also suggest (as a parent and a person with many work years under my belt) that it's best to have some work experience between college and post graduate work. You may decide to change fields altogether!
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