Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) FAQs

How many credits are required for completion of the MAT?
Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary certification – 45 credits.
Special Education and Elementary Education certifications combined – 67 credits.
Special Education (only available for those who already hold a teaching certificate in a content area) – 64 credits.

How long does it take to complete the MAT program?
If a student attends full time, carrying 16 credits a term, the program can be completed in three terms. If a student attends part time, carrying 12 credits a term, the program can be completed in four terms.

Are classes offered online?
Select courses are offered online. However, the majority of the courses are offered on the Chatham campus, scheduled during the afternoons and evenings.

When can a student begin the MAT program?
Fall or Spring term.

Where will I do my student teaching and field placements?
Chatham makes arrangements to place its students primarily in public schools throughout Allegheny County.

Does the university offer placement services?
Chatham&s Career Services staff meets with student teachers during the student teacher seminars. They assist students with resume writing, interviewing skills and maintain a professional file for all graduates. The Career Services staff regularly disseminates information about job and career fairs and direct students to traditional and electronic online resources to aid in the job search. The Chatham education program also maintains websites for job candidates to post and disseminate job opportunities.

What is the tuition and program cost at Chatham University?
Program costs vary from year to year. Prospective students should consult the university web page and contact Student Services for financial aid information.

Do students need clearances for field placements and student teaching?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all individuals who interact with children in Pennsylvania schools to obtain three types of clearances: Act 34, Act 151, and FBI Criminal History Report. These clearances – a criminal background check, a child abuse check, and a criminal history report – are required for all Chatham field placements including observations and student teaching. In all MAT programs, field placements begin in the first term of enrollment. Therefore, students must submit these three clearances to the education department at the beginning of their program and before they register for any field placements. Negative information on any of these clearances may be cause for dismissal from the program.

More information regarding these clearances is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. Visit http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/site/default.asp and click on “Background Checks” in the left-hand menu.