Pursue your teaching license and master’s degree with a university that is nationally recognized for its history of preparing excellent teachers.

Concordia University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution who wish to become classroom teachers.

Concordia offers the MAT in two formats: 

Full-time program (11 months)

• June & January starts
• 3 semesters
• Includes practicum and student teaching
• Students attend class 5 days a week from 8 am - 4 pm

Part-time evening program (22 months)

• August start
• 5 semesters
• Students attend classes two evenings a week from 5:30 - 9 pm
• 5th semester is a full-time commitment (practicum & student teaching)

Program includes an iPad  - MAT students use the technology while in the program so they can learn how to infuse technology effectively into their future classrooms.

Graduates will be licensed to teach one of the following grade level groupings:

Elementary (39 credits)

• Early Childhood & Elementary Levels (Pre-K - Grade 8 in a self-contained classroom)

Secondary (36 credits)

• Middle Level & High School Levels (Grades 5 - 12 subject specific classes)
• Secondary candidates may pursue TWO subject areas in which to be certified

Coursework
Classes are geared toward the grade levels students will be teaching and include courses in classroom management, effective teaching strategies, how the brain affects the learning process, and classes in how to work with students in ESOL and Special Education programs.

Students graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree and are eligible for their Oregon Initial I Teaching License.

For a packet that includes schedules, available endorsements, and a complete list of coursework, please submit the Information Request Form above.

Tuition Includes an iPad

Elementary (PreK – Grade 8):

• 39 Credits
• $25,545 Total Tuition

Secondary (Middle & High School)

• 36 Credits
• $23,580 Total Tuition

Financial Aid

Graduate students are eligible to take out federal student loans to cover the entire cost of the program. To apply for loans, begin by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov. Concordia’s school code for the FAFSA is 003191.

Students may also be eligible for the federal loan forgiveness program for teachers. This benefit is given to students who teach at a Title I School for five consecutive years. The current amount of the loan forgiveness program ranges from $5,000 - $17,500 depending on the authorization and endorsements for which a teacher is licensed. 

Things to Consider

• No Prerequisite classes (Contact your admission counselor for additional information on our policy for getting endorsed in a subject area)
• iPad is included with the program
• Parking at Concordia University is free
• Students are licensed to teach at two authorization levels
• Secondary students (Middle & High School) can be endorsed in two subject areas

For a comprehensive chart that lists costs and loan eligibilities for each semester, please complete the Information Request Form above.

Our reputation precedes us. While some of our graduates have heard about us on the radio or found us on the web, more often than not, personal references have sent them our way.  Here's a sampling of what we've heard:

• My friend is a teacher and got her license through Concordia’s program.
• My uncle is a principal and he has had wonderful experiences with Concordia student teachers.
• I volunteer at a school and they highly recommended Concordia’s program.

Concordia is well-known in the education community for graduating prepared and skilled teachers for several reasons:

Classes are taught by professors who have spent a considerable amount or all of their careers in actual school classrooms.  This fact enables MAT students to learn both the theory of teaching (different learning styles and child development) as well as the practical side of what that theory looks like when applied to real kids in real classrooms (activities for kinesthetic learners and what to do when the class pet dies.) Professors are very accessible and dedicated to helping each candidate become the best teacher he or she can be.

Teaching skills are first modeled to MAT students by their professors. Students then practice those skills with their fellow classmates and then with school-aged students. Concordia embraces and teaches best practices and the latest educational research while instilling the time-tested skills and tools found in first-rate teachers.

Students complete the program in a cohort of 18 – 25 students seeking licensure for the same grade levels.

Don’t simply take our word, however. We invite you to ask teachers and principals what they think of Concordia graduates.

Preparing You for Success

In order to help our graduates best position themselves during their job search, Concordia does the following:

• During the final semester of the program, area principals and superintendents come to campus to look over student résumés and conduct mock interviews. Students have found these sessions extremely helpful in preparing them to make an impression during their actual interviews.
• Concordia keeps abreast of the various initiatives happening in local school districts so that our graduates can discuss the initiatives and be successful if hired.  District leaders will be guest speakers or teach some of the classes and often serve as references for our graduates.

Discover more about what makes Concordia unique and how a degree from Concordia helps you get noticed in the world of education by attending an MAT Information Session.  Sign up for one in the Information Request Form above.

The Concordia University MAT program is looking for people who are passionate about becoming teachers and positively impacting the lives of their future students. 

Priority Application Deadlines

• Full-time program that begins in January – November 1st
•  Full-time program that begins in June – March 1st - Quality applications are still being accepted until the program fills.
• Part-time evening program that begins in August – June 1st           

Because applicants’ files are reviewed as they are completed, we encourage candidates to apply as soon as they are able.  We will continue to accept quality candidates until the cohort is full.  Once a cohort reaches its maximum, a waitlist will be created.

Admission Checklist for the Master of Arts in Teaching Program

• MAT Application (Attend an information session or an individual appointment and we will waive your $50 application fee!)
• Official transcripts verifying a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• Letter of Intent
• Résumé that lists education, recent work experience, and any experiences in education settings
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Character Questionnaire (required by the state of Oregon)
• Passing scores for the Basic Skills Test (EAS, CBEST, Praxis I, or WEST-B)
• Interview with the College of Education

We highly recommend that applicants spend time observing or volunteering in a classroom of their intended grade levels if they have not done so recently.

We realize that the requirements for teacher licensure can sometimes be confusing.  We endeavor to make this process as straight-forward as possible and are happy to discuss the application process, state-required testing, and any other questions you may have about becoming a teacher.

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