Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten) (MAT B-K) program is designed for college graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree in child development and family studies, early childhood education, consumer sciences or a related discipline and want to become licensed early care and education teachers. Students completing this degree will be licensed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to teach young children birth to age 5 (with and without disabilities) and support their families in learning environments such as community-based child care and early childhood programs, and pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms (public and private).

The degree enables candidates to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to become excellent early educators. The MAT program is designed for individuals who have a four-year college degree who desire a teaching license in the state of North Carolina. The MAT degree option is ideal for recent college graduates, residency license (formerly lateral entry) teachers, teaching assistants with baccalaureate degrees and mid-career changers who possess a wealth of content knowledge and career-related experience.

Teacher Education Licensure: Completing this master’s degree and obtaining a teaching license are separate processes. Admission to this master’s program does not guarantee admission to the Educator Preparation Licensure Program. To be recommended for licensure, candidates must first be formally admitted to the Educator Preparation Program. Failure to complete the Educator Preparation admission requirements during the first semester of enrollment may result in the student’s inability to register for certain required courses. Applicants and current students should visit the College of Education for guidance on specific requirements for graduation and licensure test/assessment requirements.

Specializations (or Careers)

The Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten) (MAT B-K) program prepares candidates for careers in teaching, family service agencies, extension agencies and community agencies. Possible career options include, but are not limited to:

Teacher of Young Children (B-5 years) - center-based or classroom-based (public and private)
Teacher of Young Children (B-3 years) - home-based
Child Care Center Director
Administrator/Director of Center Based Children and Youth Programs
Child, Youth and Family Program Coordinators
Early Education Specialist
Environment Accreditor/Assessor/Regulator
Child Development Specialist
Professional Development Program Coordinator
Technical Assistant Specialist
Early Intervention/Prevention Specialist

Admission Requirements

The GRE is not required. To be eligible to apply for the MAT - Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten) degree, applicants must have:

A B.S. or B.A. degree from an AACSB-accredited college or university with 24 credit hours of content-related coursework
Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.80
Well-written Statement of Purpose outlining career goals in child development, early education and family studies (birth-kindergarten)
Three (3) recommendations (Professional and academic only; personal recommendations such as family, friends, church members, etc. are not acceptable.)
Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended
No current teaching license (other than temporary or residential)

Program Requirements

To receive the MAT - Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten) degree, candidates must:

Complete 30 credited hours of coursework
Maintain a 3.0 GPA
Pass the Praxis II Exam
- Early Childhood Test Code 5025 (optional)
Complete two semesters of clinical practice experience
- Clinical I: 60 hours
- Clinical II: Full instructional day for the entire semester
Pass edTPA portfolio

To learn more, explore the curriculum guide.

Residency License

North Carolina has a new alternate pathway to becoming a professional educator called the Residency License. This route allows qualified individuals to obtain a teaching position and begin teaching right away as a Resident while obtaining a clear professional educator's license. North Carolina A&T State University's MAT Program is an approved NCDPI Educator Preparation Program and offers the Residency License in all 12 MAT concentrations. :

The Residency License requires employment in N.C. public schools and enrollment in N.C. approved educator preparation program
All Residency License applications must be submitted via the NCDPI Online Licensure system by an N.C. employing school system

For more information, visit the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

If you reside outside of North Carolina and are interested in completing an online or distance-education program with North Carolina A&T State University that leads to a professional license or certification in your home state, it is imperative that you understand the regulations and requirements for your home state PRIOR to enrolling in any academic program.

N.C. A&T’s Teacher Education programs meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in North Carolina and are approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

The curriculum for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten) (MAT B-K) program does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification for the following states and territories.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

For more information, contact the licensing board in your state of residence or the NC SARA Teacher Education Directory for information about licensing in your state..

Learn more about professional licensure.

University Mailing Address

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
1601 East Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411

Contact Information

For program-related questions:

Cailisha L. Petty, Ph.D.
MAT Coordinator
Department of Educator Preparation
College of Education
Email
336-285-4417

For assistance with the admissions process:

The Graduate College
Email
336-285-2366

For online learning support and inquiries:

Extended Campus
Email
336-334-7810 or 888-498-6752 (Toll-Free)