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Undergraduate 5-year Master of Arts in Teaching

Rice University’s 5-Year Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program affords the opportunity for motivated undergraduate students to earn graduate credit toward their MAT while concurrently completing their Bachelor’s degree.

Students earn their Bachelor’s degree while majoring in the subject(s) they plan to teach while also taking graduate-level professional education courses. The Rice University Bachelor’s degree is conferred upon completion of undergraduate studies and the MAT and Texas Teacher Certification is awarded one year later after completion of the teaching internship. Students must complete the requirements for their bachelor's degree (at least 120 hours) and the MAT degree (30 hours) independently of each other (i.e., no course can be used simultaneously to satisfy both an undergraduate and a graduate degree requirement.)

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how our program can complement your undergraduate studies and further your professional growth and career goals. Contact us by phone 713-348-4826 or email education@rice.edu to make an academic advising appointment.

Application forms may be obtained through the Rice University Graduate Online Application System.

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Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

The Rice teacher preparation program has been recognized by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation as an exemplary teacher prep program in the state. This honor allows our students (Texas residents) who are pursuing teacher certification to apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. If selected by the foundation, fellows will receive a scholarship of $8000 per year for up to four years, as well as ongoing training and development opportunities, mentorship from sitting public school educators, and involvement in a statewide aspiring teachers network facilitated by Raise Your Hand.

The program is designed for students completing a bachelor’s degree who are interested in pursuing graduate study in education at the secondary level.

Application forms may be obtained through the Rice University Online Application System.

In support of the application, candidates must submit:

  • Official transcripts of previous and current university studies
  • Proof of SAT or ACT scores
  • Three letters of reference accompanied by the forms provided in the application packet (minimum of two references must be academic)
  • Overall 3.0 GPA or higher and minimum 2.5 GPA in the content area
  • Applications submitted during the sophomore year
  • Minimum 12 credit hours in the content area (15 for math and science) completed before admission

Interview

In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, applicants will be required to participate in an interview conducted by members of the program faculty and staff.

Application Deadlines

January 15 - Fall semester admission and early admission (classes start in summer)

March 15 - Late fall semester admission (classes start in fall)

October 15 - Spring semester admission

Interested candidates who have missed the application deadline should contact the Education Department at 713-348-4826 for additional options.

Calendar of Progression from Application to Standard Teacher Certification

Candidates interested in the Education Program will follow the process from application to admission and teacher preparation that will generate questions, develop learning strategies, and foster a similar development in students. 

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Fingerprinting/ Criminal Background Check

Candidates will not be issued either a probationary or a standard teaching certificate from the State of Texas without the fingerprinting/criminal background check. Candidates may apply for the criminal background check prior to submitting an application into an educational preparation program, but must be done prior to being on any school campus with the program.  If the results of the process are unsatisfactory, the candidate may petition the TEA for reconsideration of the results.

For further information about preliminary checks:

Criminal history record information includes both conviction and arrest records. The State of Texas (by House Bill 1508 in 2017) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) require that an educator preparation program inform all certification program applicants and candidates about the State’s rules on criminal background checks from the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, the Texas Education Code Chapter 22.0831 and the Texas Administrative Code, Part VII, Chapter 227, Subchapter B. For further information about criminal history checks see TEA’s Investigations web page: http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/

A school district may deny placement of a participant with a criminal background.

 

The Education Program welcomes students transferring from accredited institutions of higher education.

Information for Military Veteran Applicants

You may find information about veteran benefits, credit transfers, and application process here.

Information for Transfer Applicants

Six credit hours may transfer from another Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that specifically correlate with the Rice University Education (EDUC) courses. The transferring courses must demonstrate an alignment to the Teaching Standards in 19 TAC, Chapter 149.  

A candidate transferring from another IHE as an undergraduate student must complete at least 24 credit hours of a 30 credit hour coursework program in the Rice University Education Department.   The Department does not offer an undergraduate degree in Education; therefore, candidates must major in the area they want to teach.  To be admitted to the program, candidates must have completed 12 credit hours in their content area, 15 credit hours for math and science.

Graduate students transferring from another IHE must complete at least 30 credit hours of a 36-hour coursework program and must have 24 credit hours in the content area or 12 credit hours in the content area, 15 for math and science, and passing scores on the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).

Candidates transferring into the Rice University Education Department from an alternative certification program must complete 36 credit hours of a 36 credit hour coursework program.  Clock hours from an Alternative Certification Program are not accepted for a graduate degree at Rice University.

If a transfer candidate has a bachelor’s degree and has 12 hours of content in a teaching certificate that the program offers or 15 hours of math or science content, then a passing score on the PACT is required prior to admission into the Rice University Education Department.

If a candidate has taken and passed the content and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility exams those scores are transferable.  Field-based experience from another educational preparation program is not transferable for the required Education Department’s field-based experience work in the semester or the year prior to the clinical practicum or internship year.