Teacher with group of middle school students laughing together in a group in a classroom setting

Master of Arts in Teaching – Middle Level Education 4-8 Online


This online MAT program gives you the knowledge and confidence to navigate the unique challenges of middle school grades. Whether you want to transition to teach middle school or want to become a second-career teacher, you will learn strategies to help teen and preteen students succeed in the classroom.

Next Apply Date: 12/16/24
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/16/24
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25

Program Overview


An in-depth look at A-State's MAT in middle level education online program

Help students continue to learn as they transition from young children to their teenage years with the Master of Arts in Teaching – Middle Level Education 4-8 online program from Arkansas State University. Delivered with 100% online coursework, this master’s program provides you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the unique challenges of teaching middle school grades.

Whether you want to formalize your teaching experience or transition to teaching middle level students, this Master of Arts in Teaching online program will enhance your understanding of education and give you the pedagogical skills that are essential to fully engage adolescent students in the classroom.

Examine theories and research on the developmental and educational needs of the middle level learner in this program with 100% online coursework. Explore strategies for teaching individual content areas and classroom organizational practices. Apply theories and models of reading for effective literacy instruction while delving into the latest advancements in educational software and websites. Through research-based teaching practices specific to students ages 9 through 15, you will discover instructional best practices to help them develop strong study habits needed to succeed in middle school, high school and beyond.

The LEARNS Executive Order stipulates that the Arkansas Department of Education must develop a plan to ensure that all teacher candidates completing an Arkansas-approved teacher preparation program must participate in a one-year residency by 2027. Currently, the A-State Educator Preparation Programs are updating their coursework and clinical experiences in order to meet this expectation.

This program requires Live Text.

In this online MAT program, you will:

  • Learn to effectively teach at the middle education level
  • Understand theories and apply strategies for classroom teaching and management
  • Utilize effective teaching methodologies for diverse populations
  • Incorporate technology into educational methods
  • Understand the young adolescent and apply effective teaching strategies in a specific curriculum area
  • Learn to effectively teach at the middle education level
  • Understand theories and apply strategies for classroom teaching and management
  • Utilize effective teaching methodologies for diverse populations
  • Incorporate technology into educational methods
  • Understand the young adolescent and apply effective teaching strategies in a specific curriculum area

As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for middle level education roles, such as:

  • Classroom Teacher
  • Teacher Coach
  • Classroom Teacher
  • Teacher Coach

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $13,260
Program Duration: As few as 15 months
Credit Hours 39

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition


You can count on the best value for your tuition dollars

Our MAT – Middle Level Education 4-8 online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $13,260

Calendar


Add these dates to and deadlines to your to-do list next

Our MAT – Middle Level Education 4-8 online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note that the internship course lasts a full semester and only starts in Fall 1 and Spring 1 of terms.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/14/249/30/2410/4/2410/10/2410/11/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/2512/16/2412/18/241/9/251/10/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/28/253/6/253/7/255/2/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/16/24
Start Class 1/13/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Admissions


Ready to become a student at A-State? Check our admission criteria.

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Teaching certification is NOT required to be admitted into our MAT – Middle Level Education 4-8 online program. Students interested in this program must meet the following requirements for admission and plan to teach at a public school within the state of Arkansas.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Bachelor's degree

  • A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.75 on a 4.00 scale from an accredited institution, or a 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours of coursework (undergraduate, graduate or a combination of both).
  • Praxis: Pass at least one Praxis Middle School content exams (Reading Language Arts 5047, Mathematics 5164, Science 5442, and/or Social Studies 5089 (pass scores 153, 141, 140, 149 respectively).

Additional Licensure Information:

  • Passing the identified program pedagogy assessment, identified in the Teacher Education Handbook, is required for licensure. Additionally, other requirements for licensure are detailed in the Teacher Education Handbook.
  • Prior to graduation, HIST 3083 - History of Arkansas (or equivalent transfer course) - must be completed if pursuing Social Studies licensure Only MLED who need AR History are Social Studies.
  • Prior to the internship, ELSE 3643 - Exceptional Student in the Regular Classroom (or equivalent transfer course) - must be completed.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Provide documentation of an Approved Arkansas State Police (ASP) and FBI Background Check and the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Background Check
  • Verify no conviction of a felony or crimes listed in the Teacher Education Handbook

Application Submission Requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the non-refundable $30 fee
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the sending institution.
  • Submit Praxis exam scores for Middle School content exam
  • Submit all documents to:

    A-State Online
    P.O. Box 2520
    State University, AR 72467


    Fax: 870-972-3548
    Email: [email protected]

Best Online Master's in Education

Recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2024)

Courses


Learn more about the classes in your MAT in Middle Level Education 4-8 online program

Students in the MAT – Middle Level Education 4-8 online program must complete 39 credit hours of coursework, including 10 online courses (30 credit hours) and a teacher education internship (nine credit hours). Those seeking Arkansas Licensure must complete two additional courses (read more details below).

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Students in this program must complete the following courses (39 credit hours).

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course helps develop perspectives that are essential for educators to understand and fulfill ethical and professional responsibilities in their respective areas, including communication with various audiences, reflection, self-assessment and advocacy within the context of cultural diversity and democratic pluralism.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to examine theories and research on the development and needs of the middle level learner. These include the review of the physical, cognitive, emotional, moral and social development of 9- through 15-year-olds.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theory and practice for effective teaching of diverse students, application through the creation of unit and lesson plans.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories, Issues, and Methods of Reading is a synthesis of theories and models of reading, past and current reading issues, examination of current research that discusses instruction of reading areas, spelling and writing; overview of reading and instruction for diverse and struggling learners. Prerequisite: enrollment in the graduate program within the College of Education and Behavioral Science.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will include evaluation of educational software and websites. Students will research instructional design principles and procedures and will utilize their learning to create technology integrated educational materials for their respective areas.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines latest trends in research-based reading instructional methodology and development, implementation, and monitoring of intervention for struggling readers. Prerequisite: RDNG 6013 (or equivalent); and enrollment in a Graduate Program within the College of Education and Behavioral Science.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of school and classroom organizational practices that include, grouping for instruction, scheduling instruction, curricular organization, and classroom management. The leadership and professional role of the teacher will be explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduce students into the profession of teaching. This course provides the necessary foundation needed by future teachers to gain the pedagogical knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to be an effective teacher. The primary goal of the course is to provide students of education with research-based effective teaching practices in a practical, realistic and conversational manner.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designs and analysis of varied formative and summative assessment systems in classroom practice to inform instruction.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Application of classroom management principles to actual classroom practice while participating in an internship in the public schools requires placement in a middle grades classroom.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 9
Supervised internship focused on educational practice and performance for individuals seeking alternative licensure to teach in grades PK-12. Internship must be completed in licensure area.

This program is only offered to those who are planning to teach at a public school within the state of Arkansas.

As licensure requirements may change without notice, it is the responsibility of the student to confirm the requirements for licensure in his/her state as it applies to the participation in an out-of-state degree program.

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