4+1 Master of Arts in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

Start now! Earn your Master of Education in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

At the end of the junior year, all Florida Southern students are eligible to be considered for early admission to the MAT program.

This program is designed for individuals interested in becoming a teacher and earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction that provides advanced classroom teaching skills through research-based strategies and techniques. This degree is focused on transformational teaching methods including active, student-centered, collaborative, experiential, and problem-based learning.

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Top Reasons

Early Admission

This opportunity will allow candidates to begin coursework during their last semester as an undergraduate and save time earning this prestigious degree.

Advance your knowledge

Begin your teaching career by learning about research-based strategies and teaching methods to support you in a smooth transition as a classroom teacher.

Connected

Partnerships with local Polk County schools provide opportunities for internships and assist with job placement upon completing your degree.

Clinical Experience

This program at Florida Southern College offers students the opportunity for a 70-day internship in a Polk County School classroom for a hands-on teaching (and resume building!) experience. However, students who receive their full Professional Teaching Certificate are exempt from the requirement.

Prestigious Credentials

Our graduates enjoy a high job placement rate, and are impacting their classrooms, schools and communities on a daily basis.

Flexible Schedule

You may choose to complete your degree in as little of 4 semesters, plus an internship. The MAT program consists of courses that are 100% online prior to a face-to-face internship during the final semester of the program.

Recognized Accomplishments

School districts recognize the time and effort teachers spend in graduate school, and want these individuals to stay in the district to help direct future growth of a school. Master’s degree holders are the best chance schools have to enact positive curriculum-wide changes and improve student outcomes. As an added benefit of earning a master’s degree, you gain a bigger voice in the national conversation on education. As educators further develop their understanding of teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and professional resources, they become more valuable members of the educational community.

Learn More about benefits of graduate school

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Must have 93+ undergraduate credit hours completed at the start of the program.
Students are encouraged to apply for admission during their junior year.
GPA of 3.0 or higher
Photocopy of ID, passport, or driver’s license
Completion of a background check clearance from the Polk County School Board (PCSB)
MAT Director Approval

Course Delivery

Online

100% of the courses are offered online, excluding the student teaching internship and course seminar which are completed in a Polk County Public School.

Curriculum

Foundation Courses - 6 hours

Course Number	Course Name
EDU 6910	Transformational Teaching and Learning (4 hours)
EDU 6920	Transformational Learning Environments (2 hours)

Required Courses - 36 hours

EDU 6610	Internship (10 Hours)
EDU 6640	Student Teaching Seminar (2 Hours)
EDU 6930	Transformational Teaching and Learning through Research
EDU 6940	Transformational Approaches to Curriculum and Instruction
EDU 6950	Transformational Teaching and Learning with Diverse Populations and Special Education
EDU 6960	Assessing Transformational Teaching and Learning
EDU 6970	Transformational Instructional Leadership
EDU 6980	Advanced Research in Transformational Teaching and Learning

MAT Program Total - 42 hours

All students will begin the program in the Foundation Courses, which ensure a strong foundation in education, before entering advanced MAT-level classes.

Program Costs

Admitted undergraduate students will be allowed to complete a maximum of six credit hours of graduate work. These credits will count toward their MAT degree requirements. Any MAT courses attempted in the fall or spring semesters before receiving the undergraduate degree will be charged at the traditional undergraduate full-time tuition rate. Graduate courses taken after the student receives their undergraduate degree will be billed at the current MAT per credit hour rate.