Overview
The MAT and PBC programs offer alternative routes to teacher certification for individuals that have an undergraduate degree in an area other than education. Content coursework such as math, science, history, English, foreign language, fine arts, or a professional field provide the content foundation, and the program provides the required professional education courses and clinical experiences at the graduate level. Because applicants for certification must have completed all classes required by the state of West Virginia for the content area, applicants must have a transcript analysis to determine which content requirements have already been met. Even though applicants have a degree in a specific field, they may not have taken the courses prescribed for teachers in their field of study, and therefore additional content classes may be required prior to application and enrollment. The transcript analysis will provide a list of courses needed to complete the content area. Upon successful completion of the program coursework, all content courses, and testing requirements, the candidate receives a recommendation to the West Virginia Department of Education for a teaching certificate.
Plans of Study
Certification Options
The table below lists the available teaching certifications that can be obtained through the program. Links provide the content requirements for licensure by the West Virginia Department of Education.
| Grades PreK-Adult | Grades 5-Adult | Grades 9-Adult |
| Art Music Wellness |
English General Science Mathematics Social Studies |
Biological Science Chemistry Physics |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program 100% online?
No, at this time, the MAT and PBC programs have 2-3 courses that require face-to-face attendance. These courses can be taken at either the Huntington or South Charleston campus and are scheduled at times to accommodate students that must travel from a distance.
Is this program right for me?
Both the MAT and PBC programs are designed for individuals that have an undergraduate degree in a content area such as math, science, history, English, foreign language, fine arts, or a professional field and now would like to obtain initial certification to teach in West Virginia. Even though applicants have a degree in a specific field, they may not have taken the courses prescribed for teachers in their field of study. The transcript analysis will provide a list of courses needed to complete the content area, which will help you better determine if this program is a good choice for you.
Does this program lead to initial teacher licensure?
Yes, upon successful completion of the program coursework, all content courses, and testing requirements, the candidate receives a recommendation to the West Virginia Department of Education for a teaching certificate.
What are the differences between the MAT and PBC programs?
There are only slight differences between the two programs.
- Admission to the MAT requires only 50% of the content courses be complete prior to admission; the PBC requires 90% be complete.
- The MAT program requires 36 hours (12 courses); the PBC requires 24 hours (8 courses).
- The MAT program leads to certification and a Master’s degree; the PBC program is not a degree program and leads to certification only.
Is it possible to complete the MAT or PBC programs if I am working full-time as a classroom teacher hired on permit by a school district or am employed full time elsewhere?
For most people the answer to this question is YES. The majority of coursework for both programs is offered online where students can complete assignments at their convenience within the deadlines set in the individual course. Courses that meet face-to-face are scheduled at times to accommodate students who may work during the day. For example, the course may meet on a Friday night/all day Saturday once a month schedule. Others may meet once a week in the evenings. Time away from your classroom or job may need to be arranged in order to complete the required clinical experiences, but for teachers this most often can be done during planning periods. Principals are usually willing to work with their teachers who are in the program if additional time away from the classroom is needed.
Admissions Requirements
PBC Program (certificate only candidates)
- A completed “Application for Admission” with the appropriate application fee,
- Official transcripts from each institution attended,
- An overall GPA of 2.80,
- Passing scores on the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators tests in reading, writing and math. The required Praxis CORE scores are: Reading (test #5712) – 156; Writing (test #5722) – 162; and Math (test #5732) – 150). The Praxis CORE may be waived with an enhanced ACT score of 26 or higher, a re-centered SAT score of 1125 (April 1995), a revised SAT of 1170 (March 2005) or higher, or a previously earned master’s degree or higher,
- Completion of a minimum of 90% of content requirements (verified by a transcript analysis), and
- A content specialization GPA of 2.80 with a grade of “C” or better for each course (verified by transcript analysis).
MAT Program (degree candidates)
- A completed “Application for Admission” with the appropriate application fee,
- Official transcripts from each institution attended,
- An overall GPA of 2.80,
- Passing scores on the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators tests in reading, writing and math. The required Praxis CORE scores are: Reading (test #5712) – 156; Writing (test #5722) – 162; and Math (test #5732) – 150). The Praxis CORE may be waived with an enhanced ACT score of 26 or higher, a re-centered SAT score of 1125 (April 1995), a revised SAT of 1170 (March 2005) or higher, or a previously earned master’s degree or higher,
- Completion of a minimum of 50% of content requirements (verified by a transcript analysis), and
- A content specialization GPA of 2.80 with a grade of “C” or better for each course (verified by transcript analysis).
Application for Admission and Information
Steps for Applying
- Request a transcript analysis through Ms. Gabriella Williamson, Certification Specialist in South Charleston or Ms. Tammy Aliff, Certification Specialist in Huntington. The analysis will identify the courses that can be used to meet content specialization requirements and any additional courses you will need to take.
For a transcript analysis, please send copies of your transcripts (may be unofficial) to:
| South Charleston Campus | Huntington Campus |
| Ms. Gabriella Dahalia, Certification Specialist Marshall University 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive South Charleston, WV 25303-1600 304-746-1909 or 1-800-642-9842, ext. 61909 FAX: 304-746-8974 gabi.dahalia@marshall.edu |
Ms. Tammy Aliff, Certification Specialist Marshall University 230 Jenkins Hall One John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25755 304-696-2857 FAX: 304-696-6221 aliff@marshall.edu |
- If you decide to apply to the program after reviewing the transcript analysis, follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog, or at the Graduate Admissions website at http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.
- PBC students apply for admission to Marshall University as a Certificate/Professional Development student and select the Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate on the application form.
- MAT students apply for admission to Marshall University as a degree seeking student and select the Master of Arts in Teaching, M.A.T. on the application form.
- Please note that the MAT and PBC programs do not have a provisional or conditional admission, thus all admission requirements to the university and the program must be submitted prior to being considered for admission. You may enroll in graduate courses only after you have been fully admitted to the University and the program.
For complete admission information and an application visit http://www.marshall.edu/graduate
Clinical Requirements
Both the MAT and PBC programs require three clinical experiences. Clinical I is taken early in the program (first semester recommended) and requires 35 hours of classroom observation. Clinical II is taken near the end of the program and requires 75 hours of classroom observation and teaching. Clinical III is student teaching and is taken the final semester.
Eligibility for Student Teaching
In the last semester of the program candidates will be enrolled in EDF 677, MAT Level III Clinical Experience, a 15 week, full-time student teaching experience under the direct supervision of a certified teacher(s). Prerequisites for student teaching include the following:
- 3.0 GPA in all graduate (professional education) courses
- 2.8 GPA overall and in the content courses
- Passing score(s) on the Praxis II content test(s)
- Completion of 100% of content courses
- Completion of EDF 537 and EDF 637, Level I and II Clinical Experiences
- Completion of all other program coursework as outlines on the Plan of Study
Eligibility for Licensure
In addition to course work, all candidates for teacher certification must take and pass three standardized tests required by the West Virginia Department of Education. These tests are (1) the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators (CASE) (combined test number 5751), a test with subtests in reading, mathematics, and writing (required for admission to the program); (2) the PRAXIS II Content Knowledge Test (required prior to student teaching); and (3) the Principles of Learning and Teaching Test (PLT), Grades 7-12. The PLT should be taken just prior to or during your final semester. Students who apply for licensure from the West Virginia Department of Education are required to submit to the department a fingerprint card for federal and state background checks.
For More Information please contact:
Dr. Tina Allen
Assistant Professor (Program Coordinator)
Marshall University
College of Education and Professional Development
100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600
(304) 746-8958 or 1-800-642-9842 ext. 68958
Email: allenti@marshall.edu
Mrs. Carolyn Schwarz (Program Secretary)
Phone: (304) 746-1996 or 1-800-642-9842 ext. 61996
Email: cshwarz@marshall.edu
