MAT Application Information

APPLY NOW

Deadline:  January 17, 2023

Priority Admissions Deadline: December 12, 2022
Space Available/Final Deadline: March 1, 2023

Attend Virtual Information Session

Vertical Divider

OVERVIEW

The application for the 2023-24 cohort of the MAT + Teacher Credential program is available, starting October 1, 2022. The 2023-24 cohort will begin its coursework on June 26, 2023. Individuals who complete the program requirements will earn a Master's of Arts in Teaching degree and a teaching credential.

​For early consideration into the program, the Priority Admissions Deadline is December 12, 2022. The final deadline to submit an application is January 17, 2023.

Applications received after January 17th  but before March 1st are not guaranteed to be reviewed unless there is space available in the content or subject area.

We strongly encourage applicants to attend a remote Information Session prior to applying into the program. For list of available dates, visit this page.


Basic Skills/CBEST Requirement Update
There have been  changes made to the Basic Skills/CBEST and CSET requirement for prospective MAT applicants. Please see information below and on the admissions checklist for more information. In-depth Information is also provided on the CTC website: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/basic-skills-requirement-(cl-667).
​

International Applicant Information
Several obstacles related to California residency requirements make it difficult for International Applicants to apply for the MAT program:

• CA residency requirements including needing a valid Social Security Number to apply for the Certificate of Clearance and Credential
• CA testing requirements necessitate being present in the state  to take the CBEST and CSET

Although this is a blended Masters and Credential program, one of the primary goals of this program is to prepare students to become certified K-12 public school teachers for the state of California in compliance with policies set forth by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

 

The following documents are required for MAT admission:

1. Completed online application with personal history and statement of purpose.
2. A baccalaureate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA.
3. Transcripts – Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended since high school in the online application. If an applicant is admitted, official transcripts, where a degree was earned, will be sent directly to the Graduate Division office.
4. Three letters of recommendation, including at least one letter from a previous college or university instructor.
5. Certificate of Clearance.

The following documents are NOT required for MAT admission:

1. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
2. Prerequisite coursework
3. Documented fieldwork hours
4. CPR Training (will be completed during the program)
5. Constitution Exam (if not waived, will be completed during the program)

Application checklist

 

Step 1: Complete your online application including your personal history and statement of purpose (please upload your admissions documents in the supplemental documents upload portal in the online application).

Personal History

Please address those personal qualities, skills, and professional experiences you believe will contribute to success in the program and effectiveness as a teacher.

Statement of Purpose

Please address the reasons behind your decision to become an educator and challenges you perceive as important to the field of education. In addition, reflect on your responsibility as an educator to improve the lives of underserved and low-income students.

Step 2:  Upload your admissions documents in your online application.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Admission notifications are sent by e-mail. 
​

Application Checklist

Admission documents

 

 Please review detailed information below for each required admission document.

Official Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcript from every post-secondary program attended in the online application. Please include transcripts from summer sessions, extension programs, and distance learning. If you attended UC Irvine as an undergraduate, you must also submit your unofficial transcript. If an applicant is admitted, official transcripts will be requested only from the institution(s) where a degree was earned and must be sent directly to the Graduate Division office.

*Please note, no transfer credit will be accepted towards MAT coursework requirements.

Three Letters of Recommendation

At least one letter must be from a previous college or university instructor. Your referees may submit letters of recommendation electronically using the online graduate application system. The MAT admissions committee recommends that letters speak to (a) your academic potential, (b) your ability to work with children or youth, and (c) your fitness for the professional environment of teaching. 

Certificate of Clearance

Submit your Certificate of Clearance issued by the California Teaching Commission (CTC). For more information please read the directions provided by the CTC. 

CBEST/Basic Skills

Submit a PDF of your passing CBEST or equivalency for waiving the requirement.

CSET/California Subject Exams for Teachers

Submit a PDF of any CSET exams you have passed (the CSET must be passed before enrolling in the program in June; consequently, evidence of completion strengthens your application).

Post Admissions Requirements (for admitted students only)
​Negative TB test results (dated January 1st, 2022 or after)
Please DO NOT upload TB Test to the SLATE online application

• The UCI Student Health Center will email instructions on how to upload TB immunization records
• You will be contacted in mid-May with instructions to provide a negative TB test result dated on or after January 1st, 2022. Negative TB test results dated before January 1st, 2022 will not be accepted.

cbest and cset

Subject Matter Competency can be verified in one of three ways: (1) California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) passing score in all required subtests for the credential type. (2) Official verification of completed Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP).  SMPP is completed at the undergraduate level at an approved institution. (3) Academic Major in subject they will teach (see more information about specific majors below).

Passage of CSET is required before enrolling in the program in June and applicants are strongly encouraged to complete these exams before applying to the program.  Applicants who provide evidence of CSET passage when applying to the program increase the strength of their application.  Official score reports of CSET passage are required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and are valid for ten years.  Upload PDF score report as a supplementary document or post-submission document in the online application. We do not accept e-score reports sent directly from the testing company.  Passage of three CSET exams is required for multiple subject candidates, while the number of exams for single subject candidates varies by discipline.

Multiple resources are available to help applicants prepare for both the CSET and CBEST exams.


CBEST

Applicants have the following options to complete the Basic Skills Requirement:

1. Passage of CBEST.
2. Passage of a basic skills examination from another state.
3. Passage of CSET 142 (this option is for multiple subjects candidates ONLY). 
4. Passing scores set for SAT exam.
   500 English and 550 Math
5. Passing scores set for ACT exam.
   22 English and 23 Math
6. A 3 or above in an approved AP English and AP Math exam.
   English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition
   Calculus AB, Calculus BC, or Statistics
7. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework
   Individuals may meet the requirement by providing official transcripts to a Commission-approved preparation program or submitted with their application packet to the Commission. The transcripts must show passage of courses in reading, writing, and mathematics as outlined below. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units (or equivalent quarter units). Qualifying coursework does not include professional development or continuing education units or in-service training or workshops. Qualifying coursework includes the following:
   1. For reading proficiency: a course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis.
   2. For writing proficiency: a course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing.
   3. For mathematics proficiency: a course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics.
      
      A course that does not fall within the indicated areas may still qualify with additional letter of explanation. A letter from the registrar or relevant department chair of the college or university must state that a course passed by the applicant covered reading, writing, or mathematics at the same level as one of the listed courses. Such a letter could also attest that a single course sufficiently indicates proficiency in reading and writing combined.
      
      Online recommendations from a Commission-approved preparation program or employing agency must include Form 41-BSR, entitled Verification of Basic Skills Requirement when choosing the coursework option. Form 41-BSR is available on the Credential Information Guide (CIG). Form 41-BSR is not required if CBEST or CSET scores are being used to meet the requirement.
8. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework and Exam
   The Basic Skills Requirement can be met through a combination of applicable courses and qualifying exams. This option is only available through a Commission-approved preparation program. The qualifying coursework must meet the requirements as describe above in item number 7. The mixing-and-matching of relevant component or components from all exam options permitted under current law is acceptable.
   
   Online recommendations from a Commission-approved preparation program must include Form 41-BSR, entitled Verification of Basic Skills Requirement when choosing the mixing-and-matching option. From 41-BSR is available on the Credential Information Guide (CIG). Form 41-BSR is not required if CBEST or CSET scores are being used to meet the requirement.

Parts of different options may not be combined to meet the Basic Skills Requirement. If you are completing CBEST through SAT, ACT, or AP, you must provide the official College Board PDF score report to verify completion of the Basic Skills Requirement.

.

CSET

Applicants must verify subject matter competence in one of three ways:

1. CSET passing score report in all required subtests for the credential type.
2. Official institutional verification of completed Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP). SMPP is completed at the undergraduate level at an approved institution. 
3. Academic Major in subject they will teach
   1. ​Multiple Subject candidates: Liberal Studies degrees as well as Liberal Studies degrees that include any focus or concentration in the title. Examples include, but are not limited to, Liberal Studies: Urban Education and Liberal Studies: Elementary Education.
   2. Single Subject candidates: The major must be an exact degree/credential subject match in one of the subjects named in Education Code section 44257(a). These subjects are:
      1. Art
      2. English
      3. World Language (in any of the languages for which there is a credential)
      4. Mathematics
      5. Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience or Earth and Space Science, and Physics)
      6. Social Science (exact title of major must be “social science”)
         
         At this time, the Commission will also accept applied majors in the single subject credential areas (e.g., Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics) and exact majors in one of the single subject areas that may have additional modifiers (e.g., Biology: Environmental Biology; Art: Art History; and Physical Education: Kinesiology).

Application Deadlines

Priority Deadline:  January 10, 2022

Applicants who submit a complete application with all of the required admission documents on or before January 10, 2021 will be eligible to participate in an admission interview in early February and receive an early admission decision.

Applicants interested in the priority deadline should review the pulldown menus “Application Checklist” and “Admission Documents” to determine which documents are required for eligibility.

Final Deadline:  February 15, 2022

The final deadline for submitting an application and required admission documents is on or before February 15, 2022.  Candidates who meet this final deadline will be eligible for an admission interview.
​
Candidates who submit an application and required admission documents after January 10th but prior to February 15th, may be eligible for a February admission interview, but will not receive an admission decision prior to February 15.

Financial Support

Financial Aid
The UCI School of Education provides various merit and need-based scholarships to support a talented and diverse cohort of MAT candidates.  Federal and private loans are also available. Information about these resources can be found here.

Financial Incentives
UCI Summer Session has confirmed the pay for “8 Only” incentive for the Summer 2022 term. This will result in a significant reduction in the total cost of the MAT program for admitted students. For more information about “pay for only 8”, please go to the UCI Summer Session.

Additional Information
Please visit the UCI Financial Aid Office website for additional information.

Licensure and Certification Disclosures​
​NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

Contact Us

For more information regarding admissions, please contact the Office of Student Affairs, at 949.824.5312, or educadvising@uci.edu.

---

Learn More about the MAT Program

MAT Home

Frequently Asked Questions

Distance Learning Videos

Single Subject Program

Program Statistics and Information

Attend a Virtual Info Session

Multiple Subject Program

MAT Core Commitments to Teaching

MAT Experiences: In Their Own Words

Meet the MAT Team

California Teacher Education Research and Improvement Network (CTERIN)

Licensure and Certification Disclosure