Undergraduate students from other disciplines who wish to be certified to teach at the secondary level (grades 7-12 or PK-12) may apply to a five-year program resulting in a bachelor's degree within the area of their major and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Applicants to the certification program for grades 7-12 must have a major or significant coursework in one of the following certification areas: biology, chemistry, earth/space science, English, mathematics, physics, or social studies. Applicants to the certification program for grades PK-12 must have a major or significant coursework in one of the following certification areas: art, French, music (instrumental or vocal), or Spanish. Students submit the application by February 15 of their junior year and take three graduate-level courses in their senior year which count toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Students must earn a grade of B or better in each of the three courses in order for the courses to advance to the graduate program. Graduate courses taken during the senior year are included in the undergraduate tuition and fulfill undergraduate electives.

A minimum QPA of 3.000 through the fall of the junior year is required for full acceptance to the MAT. Probationary acceptance may be granted for students with a QPA between 2.750 and 3.000.  One professional academic recommendation, standardized test scores, and a personal essay based on a writing prompt are required. It is highly preferable for candidates to ask their references to submit the recommendation on the MAT Recommendation Form which contains a listing of teacher qualification characteristics. A personal interview may be required. For unconditional acceptance, students must have a 3.000 GPA or submit evidence of a passing score (based on the Maryland cutoff level) on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) Test (Reading, Math, and Writing).  Consistent with regulations for teacher certification set forth by the state of Maryland, qualifying scores on the SAT, ACT, or GRE may be substituted for Praxis Core (please refer to http://www.marylandpublicschools.org for details on Basic Skills). Under provisional acceptance, students are required to submit evidence of a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) Test (Reading, Math, and Writing) before the start of their senior year. Any student who does not maintain a 3.000 GPA will be required to submit these scores prior to beginning the MAT program.

In order to complete the requirements for graduation from the MAT program, candidates must submit official passing scores on the appropriate licensure exams to the Teacher Education Department by May 1. Testing requirements are listed on the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) website: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org. Failure to meet the stated deadlines for receipt of licensure exam scores will result in the student not graduating. The student will be required to file a subsequent graduation application.