DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Master of Arts in Teaching
Bency Pierre, M.A. English Language Learning
WGU Master of Arts in Teaching Programs
Education
Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school English teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 63% of students finish this online English degree program within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- English Pedagogy
- Reading Instruction and Interventions
- Disciplinary Literacy
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
This online English degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 28 total courses in this program (29 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school or high school math teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on the teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish this high school math teaching degree within 25 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 21 total courses in this program (22 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Algebra for Secondary Teaching
- Geometry for Secondary Teaching
- Statistics and Probability for Secondary Teaching
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Educational Psychology
This online teaching degree in secondary math education requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This program differs from the M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) program in that it includes courses in upper levels of calculus, including advanced calculus and mathematical modeling. Graduates from this secondary math degree program will be eligible for a teaching license in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online master's teaching degree and teacher certification program for...
An online master's teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school science teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 62% of students finish this secondary science teaching degree within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 18 total courses in this program (19 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Science Technology
- Science Methods
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Essential Practices for Supporting Diverse Learners
This program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. You'll be prepared to teach in middle school or high school settings, based on teaching certification in your state.
Education
Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to...
An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.
- Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 30 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
- Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Methods of Instruction and Intervention
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.
What Is a Master of Arts in Teaching?
A Master of Arts in Teaching or MAT degree is a graduate degree program that is focused on preparing current or future teachers for licensure. This kind of degree program is ideal for those who currently hold a bachelor's degree and want to make a change to teaching, or for current teachers who want to add another specialty to their licensure.
WGU offers many MAT programs for those who currently hold a bachelor's degree in either a teaching or non-teaching field. If you're looking to become a teacher or expand your licensure, an online degree program from WGU can help you be prepared for certification. You can get in the classroom and start a meaningful career with the help of WGU.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Master of Arts in Teaching?
18 Months*
Typically MAT degrees take about 2 years to complete. At WGU, most students are able to finish their MAT in about 18 months due to competency-based education which allows them to accelerate their academic courses.
*WGU Internal Data
How Much More Will I Earn With a Master of Arts in Teaching?
$10,000
An their first year with an MAT degree, most teachers earn about $2,800 more in their salary. Once you reach the top of the salary schedule, this difference can be closer to $10,000 more per year.
Will a Master of Arts in Teaching Help Me Get Certification?
Yes
Accredited MAT programs should prepare you for teacher licensure in your state. There will be unique requirements for certification in teach state, but an MAT degree that is from a respected school will ensure you have the education element needed to be licensed.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Master of Arts in Teaching?
18 Months*
Typically MAT degrees take about 2 years to complete. At WGU, most students are able to finish their MAT in about 18 months due to competency-based education which allows them to accelerate their academic courses.
*WGU Internal Data
How Much More Will I Earn With a Master of Arts in Teaching?
$10,000
An their first year with an MAT degree, most teachers earn about $2,800 more in their salary. Once you reach the top of the salary schedule, this difference can be closer to $10,000 more per year.
Will a Master of Arts in Teaching Help Me Get Certification?
Yes
Accredited MAT programs should prepare you for teacher licensure in your state. There will be unique requirements for certification in teach state, but an MAT degree that is from a respected school will ensure you have the education element needed to be licensed.
Who Should Get an MAT Degree?
MAT degrees are ideal for those who want to pursue an education career inside the classroom. Most MAT programs will help prepare you for a teaching license and are geared to ensure you are ready to lead a classroom. There are MAT programs that help teachers earn initial licensure, and MAT programs that help already licensed educators gain additional licensure so they can teach other academic subjects. MAT programs are available for teaching students of different ages, as well as different topics.
Type of student:
- Elementary education
- Middle school (secondary education)
- High school (secondary education)
- Special education
- ELL or ESL
Education topic:
- Math
- English
- Science (different specialties like chemistry, biology, etc.)
- History
- Social studies
Current teachers can add to their licensure and aspiring teachers can get the initial certification they need in order to become the kind of educator over the specific subject they are passionate about. An MAT degree program is critical for furthering your career in the classroom.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
The Teachers College at Western Governors University is granted accreditation for its programs from CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077.
Every education program offered through the WGU Teachers College has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through 2025.
WGU is a top conferrer of STEM degrees that is partnered with Beyond100K. WGU joins nonprofits, government agencies, companies, and foundations to combat challenges and prepare more teachers for STEM teaching positions nationwide.
Learn About a Career in Education
Why Choose WGU For Your Master of Arts Degree?
WGU is a great fit for your MAT degree for many reasons, including:
- Low, flat-rate tuition means that you're charged the same amount per six-month term, regardless of how many classes you take.
- Competency-based education means you can use your knowledge to your advantage, accelerating your program and graduating faster. Graduating faster also saves you money.
- We offer scholarships and financial aid to help with our already affordable tuition, making college education accessible for even more students.
- Respected and accredited programs ensure that your MAT degree is meaningful for you as an educator.
What Are the Benefits of Master of Arts in Teaching Degree?
There are many benefits to choosing to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree program, including:
- Increase your knowledge. One of the main benefits to an MAT degree and any higher education is your personal growth. You will learn new things that can help you be a better teacher, gain important skills that will benefit your students, and overall improve your abilities in the classroom and community. Learning more about certain subjects, educational technology, and classroom management will all benefit your career.
- Make a career change. If you're currently in a non-teaching profession, an MAT can help you get the skills and licensure you need in order to make the move to the classroom. If you're ready to start making a difference in this important way, an MAT is the ideal choice.
- Increase earning potential. Teachers with advanced degrees have the ability to earn raises and have higher salary levels all throughout their career. Some districts will even help pay for advanced degrees in order to upskill more of their workforce.
- Add to your licensure. For current teachers, an MAT degree is a great opportunity to add to your teaching license. You may currently be qualified to teach elementary education, but an MAT degree could add special education to your licensure, enabling you to help more students in your school.
- Improve job security. Teachers with higher education and more licenses often see greater job security than other teachers. Your additional knowledge and skills can make you more integral in your school and district.
- Build a professional network. When you pursue higher education, you'll meet other like-minded educators who are passionate about helping students, just like you. Faculty and peers can become an important professional network for you that could impact your career in many ways.
- Gain more respect. Higher education is a key way to gain more respect from your peers and administration. An MAT degree will demonstrate that you are committed to furthering yourself, and committed to being the best teacher possible for your students.
