Earn Your MAT in Michigan: 1-Year Master's + Teaching Certificate
Step into the classroom with confidence by earning an AAQEP-accredited MAT and Michigan teaching certificate in just one year.
Overview
ذكذكتسئµ's on-campus, faith-informed Master of Arts in Teaching is built for career changers, workforce re-entrants, and anyone with a recent bachelor's degree in a subject they want to teach. In just 12 months, you'll complete a master's degree, in-classroom field experience, and the academic preparation Michigan requires for teacher certification at the middle and high school levels. Cost is $640 per credit hour, plus a $215 program fee. Two Michigan state aid programs are available to qualifying students.
| Course number | Course name |
|---|---|
| EDUC 103 | Introduction to Education |
| EDUC 240 | The Social Context of Education |
| EDUC 241 | Inclusive Teaching: Ability, Language, and Multicultural Education |
| EDUC 243 | Teaching and Learning Lab |
| EDUC 249 | The Christian Teacher |
| EDUC 399 | Philosophy of Education |
| EDUC 507 | Curriculum, Instruction, and Content Area Literacy |
| EDUC 508 | Internship I |
| EDUC 510 | Framing Questions, Global Forces, Constraining Structures |
| EDUC 546 | Student Teaching Internship |
| EDUC 554 | Pathways to Inclusion: Re-examining Beliefs about Learners |
| EDUC 559 | Student Teaching Seminar |
| EDUC 590 | Independent Study |
At a Glance
Accreditation: AAQEP
Delivery: On campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Duration: 12 months
Total credit hours: 35-40
Tuition: $640 per credit ($22,400-$25,600 total) + $215 one-time program fee
State aid: MI Future Educator Fellowship ($10,000) and MI Future Educator Stipend ($9,600) for qualifying students
Certification: Michigan Teaching Certificate for middle and high school
Field experience: Placements in West Michigan classrooms
GRE: Not required
Why Earn an MAT from ذكذكتسئµ?
ذكذكتسئµ has been certifying teachers for over 100 years. Discover what else sets us apart:
Accelerated program accredited by AAQEP.
ذكذكتسئµ's 12-month MAT is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), confirming that the accelerated program prepares effective educators who meet the academic and professional standards expected of certified teachers.
Faith-informed approach to teaching.
ذكذكتسئµ is a Christian university, and our perspective on faith shapes how we teach the ethical and vocational aspects of education: equity, justice, and service to shape future leaders. Students from any background are welcome; the faith dimension shapes how we teach, not who can enroll.
Field experience and mentorship.
You'll complete field placements alongside your coursework, all while receiving guidance from our expert faculty and growing your network. You’ll graduate with a strong foundation in lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment, preparing you to step into your own classroom with confidence.
What Can You Do with a ذكذكتسئµ MAT?
- Become certified teacher in Michigan
- Teach in public, private, or charter schools
- Pursue advanced roles in curriculum development or educational leadership
- Serve in international or faith-based education settings
State Funding
Total tuition for the MAT is $22,400 to $25,600 across 35-40 credits at $640 per credit, plus a one-time $215 program fee.
Two Michigan state aid programs are available to qualifying MAT students:
- MI Future Educator Stipend: A for those who complete their required student teaching semester in a public school.
- MI Future Educator Fellowship: A $10,000 scholarship for students who are pursuing their initial teacher certification and are committed to teaching in a Michigan public school.
For students who qualify for both, ذكذكتسئµ's MAT becomes one of the most affordable paths to a master's degree and Michigan teacher certification. to explore any additional ذكذكتسئµ scholarships or federal aid you may qualify for.
Course Spotlights
Courses in ذكذكتسئµâ€™s MAT program are interactive, practical, and connected to the realities of today’s classrooms.
EDUC 507: Curriculum, Instruction, and Content Area Literacy
Explore how reading and writing shape the way students learn in middle and high school classrooms. You’ll approach everything through a reformed Christian lens, connecting big ideas with real classroom experience through an in-depth practicum. You’ll also complete a project tailored to your specific teaching interests.
EDUC 243: Teaching and Learning Lab
Explore the core knowledge and practices of teaching and learning. This course focuses on what it means to live out Christian faith commitments and practices in a variety of settings. You'll consider who teaches and is taught, what is taught, how and in what context we teach, and the complex ways in which these ideas manifest a PK-12 classroom.
EDUC 510: Framing Questions, Global Forces, Constraining Structures
What makes a good society, and how does education fit into it? You’ll look at how schools are shaped by politics, money, and global issues—and how these forces affect students and teachers. Using Christian ideas of justice, hope, and shalom, you’ll explore how faith can guide your view of education.
How the MAT Compares to Other ذكذكتسئµ Education Pathways
Explore our pathways to find the best fit for your goals:
| Program | Who It's For | Outcome |
| Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) | Career changers, those re-entering the workforce, and grads with a recent BA in a field they want to teach | MAT + Michigan Teaching Certificate (12 months, full-time) |
| Post-BA Teaching Certification | Bachelor’s degree holders without a teaching certificate | Teaching certificate (no graduate degree) |
| Master of Education (MEd) | Already-certified Michigan teachers who want to advance their career, deepen their pedagogy, or add an endorsement | MEd (online or hybrid, flexible timeline) |
How Michigan Teacher Certification Works
To teach in a Michigan middle school or high school classroom, you need a Standard Teaching Certificate from the Michigan Department of Education. The path has three core requirements:
- A bachelor's degree in (or aligned with) the subject you want to teach
- Completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program with a recommendation from the provider
- “Passed†status for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in your subject area. Some endorsement areas also require the MTTC Professional Readiness Exam.
ذكذكتسئµ's MAT is a . Over 12 months, you complete the academic coursework Michigan requires, supervised field experience, and the preparation needed to pass the MTTC in your subject area. After you complete the program and pass the required MTTC tests, ذكذكتسئµ recommends you to the state, and you apply for certification through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).
ذكذكتسئµâ€™s MAT program has exceeded every expectation. Professors go above and beyond, and the classes have challenged me to foster a growth mindset.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MAT is a cohort program, and cohorts start once per year in the summer.
It is possible to complete a limited number of courses prior to the start of the cohort. Eligibility is determined by an advisor and based on course capacity.
This is an accelerated teaching master’s program designed to be completed in under 12 months. Cohorts consist of three full-time, consecutive terms: summer, fall, and spring.
In-person on ذكذكتسئµ's campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Field placements take place in West Michigan.
Eligible applicants must have an undergraduate degree (major or minor) that is aligned with a current certification area offered by the School of Education. Please consult with a MAT advisor to find out if your bachelor's degree would qualify. Note that all applicants are required to complete the MTTC (state certification test) in their respective certification area as part of the application process and must pass the test to earn certification.
Tuition is $640 per credit. The MAT requires 35-40 credit hours, for a total tuition cost of $22,400 to $25,600. There is also a one-time $215 program fee. Two Michigan state aid programs are available to qualifying students: the MI Future Educator Fellowship ($10,000) and the MI Future Educator Stipend ($9,600 for student teaching in a Michigan public school). For an individual net-cost estimate, contact ذكذكتسئµ's financial aid office about which aid programs you qualify for and what additional ذكذكتسئµ scholarships or federal aid may apply.
The MI Future Educator Stipend is a $9,600 payment from the state of Michigan for student teachers who complete their student teaching in a Michigan public school. ذكذكتسئµ MAT students who student-teach in a public school setting qualify.
The MI Future Educator Fellowship is a Michigan state scholarship of $10,000 for students pursuing teacher certification at an approved Michigan preparation provider. Eligibility is determined by the state. ذكذكتسئµ's MAT is an approved Michigan teacher preparation program, which makes MAT students eligible to apply.
We have a test-optional policy for graduate admissions. This means that you are not required to submit standardized test scores such as the GMAT or GRE.
Yes, the MAT program is on-campus, and we can issue immigration documents for in-person programs. View graduate admission information for international students here.
The MAT is for career changers and recent grads who hold a subject-area bachelor's degree and want both initial certification and a master's degree in 12 months. The Post-BA Teaching Certification is for candidates who want certification only, without the master's component. The MEd is for already-certified teachers seeking advanced graduate work, endorsements, or leadership credentials, available online and hybrid.
Have questions? Contact us!
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Erek KooymanDirector, Master of Arts in Teaching / Lecturer
