Teaching, M.A.

Program Requirements

Students pursuing secondary-level (grades 9-12) teacher licensure at Lenoir-Rhyne University will complete School of Education requirements through Lenoir-Rhyne's Master of Arts in Teaching program. There are two routes to the Master of Arts in Teaching program for Lenoir-Rhyne University students: the Accelerated Masters, which allows qualified students to begin taking graduate-level (MAT) courses once they have earned at least 92 credit hours (with a minimum of 64 hours at LR), shortening the amount of time necessary to complete the master's degree; and the 4+1 Plan in which qualified students begin the MAT program after completing their undergraduate degree. These two options are described in detail below.

Option #1: Accelerated Master's - Students apply to the MAT program during their junior year or once they have at least 92 credit hours and, if accepted, take 12 hours of MAT graduate coursework during their final undergraduate year and then continue with MAT coursework during the Fall, Spring, and Summer of the next academic school year. At the end of the MAT program, students will have earned a master's degree and will be eligible for North Carolina Public School teaching certification. Students who pursue the Accelerated Master's will receive dual credit at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as a substantial tuition discount. The 12 hours of MAT coursework will count for undergraduate elective courses and graduate MAT courses. Students will be billed at the undergraduate rate for these 12 credit hours. Entrance into the Accelerated Master's program is highly competitive. Consult the Special Programs and Opportunities section of the Lenoir-Rhyne Catalog for admission requirements

Option #2: The 4+1 Plan - Students apply to the MAT program during their senior year, complete their undergraduate degree, and then begin the MAT graduate program the summer after they graduate. At the end of the MAT program, students will have earned a master's degree and will be eligible for North Carolina Public School teaching certification.

Note: For both options, interested students may elect to engage in an education practicum experience to help them determine if teaching at the secondary level is right for them. Contact the MAT Coordinator for more information.

Discipline-Specific Undergraduate Course Requirements

Students seeking secondary-level (grades 9-12) teaching certification at Lenoir-Rhyne University should pursue one of the following undergraduate majors: Math, English, History, or Comprehensive Science.* To be recommended for teaching certification, students must complete the required undergraduate subject-area courses and the required MAT courses, as well as additional MAT and state requirements. The discipline-specific course and sequence requirements are noted in the following sections.These are requirements for students intending to pursue teaching certification through Lenior-Rhyne's Master of Arts in Teaching program. They do not include all courses required for the undergraduate degree. Consult with your undergraduate advisor to ensure you complete all courses required for your major and degree program. *Students who do not major in one of the above areas may still be eligible to pursue certification through LR's MAT program, if they pass a transcript review and/or content-area testing.

Offered Online

Lenoir-Rhyne University's online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program provides a flexible pathway to graduate-level education and initial teacher licensure for individuals holding non-education bachelor's degrees. The program prepares candidates for licensure in secondary education, including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science, as well as select K-12 areas such as Physical Education and Music. Emphasizing the practical application of educational theory, the MAT program equips students with the essential skills and training to become highly qualified educators. Designed for working professionals, the fully online, non-cohort structure allows students to progress at their own pace, offering both full-time and part-time options, with program completion possible in as few as 12 months. The curriculum integrates valuable classroom observation, collaborative work with experienced educators and administrators, and a culminating semester of full-time student teaching. A capstone seminar further facilitates the transition from student to independent classroom teacher.

Key program features include a design tailored for working professionals, with approximately 90% of students maintaining full-time employment, and flexible scheduling to accommodate diverse work/life balance needs. Comprehensive preparation for state licensure requirements is a core component. Successful completion of the MAT program, passing scores on the appropriate Praxis II examinations, and a passing edTPA portfolio are required for graduation and eligibility for a North Carolina initial teaching license. Candidates must achieve passing scores on the appropriate Praxis II test(s) for their licensure area to be eligible for a North Carolina initial teaching license.

Program Admission Requirements

Visit Graduate Admission for the most current Program Admission Requirements.