Contact the Department of STEM Education
Graduate with little or no debt
Apply for graduate admissions
Summer courses for science teachers
Update: We are no longer accepting applications for the MAT-S program. Please contact STEMEducation@nau.edu with questions.
This program was intentionally designed to lead to licensure or certification in the state of Arizona. For information regarding how the curricular requirements for this degree program align to licensure or certification requirements in other states, see https://nau.edu/compliance-and-authorization/professional-licensure-by-state/.
For students seeking certification
The Masters of Arts in Teaching Science (MAT-S) program is a challenging, fully online program designed for educators interested in teaching secondary science or those already teaching in Arizona schools with alternative or non-standard certifications who are looking to earn an Arizona Standard Professional Secondary Certificate in their field as well as a master’s degree. The program prepares science teachers for teaching in grades 6-12 and emphasizes the development of a teacher’s ability to develop research-based teaching strategies that make science accessible to learners. Specific attention is directed at the interaction of schools, learners, pedagogy, subject matter and curriculum. The program is unique in that it focuses solely on science education. This allows you to be in a supportive group of high-achieving science peers taught by faculty who specialize and conduct research in science education. We strive to provide a cutting-edge, high-quality program that will utilize and build upon your science knowledge and experiences to become an innovative middle or high school teacher.
I think what I’d like everyone to know about this program is that it has a long-lasting impact on your career. When you are teaching, you can continue to lean on the CSTL and your professors at NAU for ideas and professional development.
-- Jon Griffith, former MAT-S student
Who qualifies for the program? Accordion Open
The MAT-S degree is designed for students with strong undergraduate preparation in the sciences who are seeking certification to teach biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, or general science at the secondary (middle and high school) level. It is designed to be completed in two years on a part-time basis or in one and a half years on a full-time basis. Admission to the program is contingent on a subject knowledge requirement. This can be met by a passing score on the AEPA or NES Secondary Subject Knowledge exam (or similar exam from another state) in the content area of teacher certification (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, General Science). To reiterate, you must have passed the appropriate secondary subject knowledge exam before submitting your application.
For students entering the profession, placements in secondary science classrooms will be provided by the university for required practicum and student teaching experiences. Classroom placements occur through the College of Education and can be made in districts throughout the state allowing students to complete the program in the community of their choice. Students are required to complete two practicum placements in the first year of the program and a student teaching experience in the second year. Depending on practicum placements and schedules, students may be able to work during the first year of the program. Students are expected to follow the normal teacher work schedule during the student teaching experience in the second year.
For students who are currently employed as the teacher of record in an Arizona secondary science classroom, all required practicums and student teaching experiences required by the State of Arizona occur in the student's current teaching position. No additional placements are required. For these students, a current alternative certification is required that enables them to be the teacher of record (unless teaching in a private or charter school). Current teachers without an alternative certification such as the Specialized Secondary STEM or Subject Matter Expert certificates must apply for the Teacher Intern Preparation Program (TIPP) for alternative certification using the Department of STEM Education TIPP Application Packet. The TIPP is an alternative pathway offered at NAU to enable a candidate to enter into a teaching contract while completing the requirements for a standard Arizona teaching certificate. Upon completion of the program, students will earn an Arizona Standard Professional Secondary Certificate, allowing them to teach in Arizona and, through reciprocity agreements, across the U.S. What's the difference between the different types of certifications? Visit the ADE certification site for more details.
All students in the program are required to pass the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary NES exam before graduation.
* If you are an in-service teacher looking for a graduate program to improve your practice, please see our Master of Arts in Science Teaching (MAST) program.
For students entering the profession, placements in secondary science classrooms will be provided by the university for required practicum and student teaching experiences. Classroom placements occur through the College of Education and can be made in districts throughout the state allowing students to complete the program in the community of their choice. Students are required to complete two practicum placements in the first year of the program and a student teaching experience in the second year. Depending on practicum placements and schedules, students may be able to work during the first year of the program. Students are expected to follow the normal teacher work schedule during the student teaching experience in the second year.
For students who are currently employed as the teacher of record in an Arizona secondary science classroom, all required practicums and student teaching experiences required by the State of Arizona occur in the student's current teaching position. No additional placements are required. For these students, a current alternative certification is required that enables them to be the teacher of record (unless teaching in a private or charter school). Current teachers without an alternative certification such as the Specialized Secondary STEM or Subject Matter Expert certificates must apply for the Teacher Intern Preparation Program (TIPP) for alternative certification using the Department of STEM Education TIPP Application Packet. The TIPP is an alternative pathway offered at NAU to enable a candidate to enter into a teaching contract while completing the requirements for a standard Arizona teaching certificate. Upon completion of the program, students will earn an Arizona Standard Professional Secondary Certificate, allowing them to teach in Arizona and, through reciprocity agreements, across the U.S. What's the difference between the different types of certifications? Visit the ADE certification site for more details.
All students in the program are required to pass the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary NES exam before graduation.
* If you are an in-service teacher looking for a graduate program to improve your practice, please see our Master of Arts in Science Teaching (MAST) program.
Program benefits: Accordion Closed
- A fully online program that fits your work-life schedule
- Earn an Arizona teaching credential through university-provided classroom placements or while being employed full-time as a teacher
- Directly apply research-based teaching strategies from graduate classes into your classroom
- Receive mentorship and support from your school site as well as faculty in DSE at NAU
- Learn from prominent science education faculty well respected in Arizona and beyond
A note on admissions: After being admitted to the MAT-S graduate program, students are required to submit an application to the NAU Professional Education Programs (PEP). This is required for all programs leading to certification. The PEP application will appear in Louie once you have been admitted to the program. Specific requirements for the PEP include:
-
-
- ENG 105 (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative English GPA of 3.0.
- College Algebra or an approved math course with a minimum grade of C.
- One lab science course with a grade of C.
-
- IVP Fingerprint clearance card.
-
Financial assistance is available. Tuition and fee information can be found here (be sure to select the Graduate Online option). Students in this program are eligible to earn free tuition and fees through the Arizona Teachers Academy. Please visit their website for further information.