MAT Application Information

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Priority Deadline:  December 12, 2025

Regular Deadline: January 16, 2026
Final Deadline: February 20, 2026

Attend Virtual Information Session

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OVERVIEW

The application for the 2026-27 cohort of the MAT + Teacher Credential program is available, starting in early October 2025. The 2026-27 cohort will begin its coursework on June 22, 2026. 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, 2025. The final deadline to submit an application is January 16, 2026. The space available deadline will be February 20, 2026.

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

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 materials

 

Application Checklist

The following documents are required for MAT admission:

1. Completed online application with personal history and statement of purpose.
   a) Personal History Statement: Please follow the prompt in the application
   b) 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 education of all students.
   
   
2. A baccalaureate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA. 
   A BA Degree will also meet the California Basic Skills Requirement. BA degree must be from a regionally accredited college or university.
   
   
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.
   
   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.
   
   
4. Three letters of recommendation
   At least one letter 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. 
   
   
5. 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 and the Admissions Checklist.
   
   
6. Subject Matter Requirement/CSET
   Applicants using the CSET to satisfy the subject matter requirement will be required to submit one (1) passing subtest with their application.
   
   All admitted students must submit passing  CSET Score Reports or Subject Matter Verification by June 1, 2026. If this requirement is already completed, please submit it with your application.
   
   Please see Subject Matter Requirement drop down for more information.​

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)

​Post Admissions Requirements (for admitted students only)

• ​Negative TB test results (dated January 1st, 2026 or after)
  Please DO NOT upload TB Test to the SLATE online application

• The Student Affairs Office 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, 2026. Negative TB test results dated before January 1st, 2026 will not be accepted.
• There will be a $20 charge from the UCI Student Health Center to issue each incoming student a TB clearance letter. This is a requirement in order to student teach.

Application checklist

 

Application Checklist

basic skills requirement

 

Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education​.

On June 29,2024, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill, SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes of 2024), that allow candidates to use their bachelor’s degree from are regionally accredited institution of higher education as demonstration of the basic skills requirement effective immediately.

subject matter requirement

Admissions requirement:
Applicants using the CSET to satisfy the subject matter requirement will be required to submit one (1) passing subtest with their application.

All admitted students must submit passing CSET Score Reports or Subject Matter Verification by June 1, 2026. If this requirement is already completed, please submit it with your application.

Detailed information the Subject Matter Requirement are provided below: 
Multiple Subject
Single Subject

application deadlines

Priority Deadline:  December 12, 2025

Applicants who submit a complete application with all of the required admission documents on or before December 12, 2025 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:  January 16, 2026

The final deadline for submitting an application and required admission documents is on or before January 16, 2026.  Candidates who meet this final deadline will be eligible for an admission interview.
​
Space Available Deadline: February 20, 2026
 
Applications received after January 16, 2026 but before February 20, 2026 are not guaranteed to be reviewed unless there is space available in the content or subject area.

​Grad Div fee waiver: https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/application-fee-fee-waivers/

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 not confirmed the pay for “8 Only” incentive for the Summer 2026 term. Information will be updated as soon as it is available. 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 [email protected].