Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with Initial Teaching License: Early Childhood/Elementary

Lewis & Clark’s M.A.T. Preservice program is full-time only and begins once a year in June.

The Graduate Admissions office will confirm via email the receipt and status of your application packet. Any outstanding items will be noted.

Applicants will also receive email notification when the application file is complete and ready for faculty review.

Application Process

Summer 2012 (June 25, 2012)
Applications are being accepted for Summer 2012.

Admissions Expectations

Lewis & Clark looks for applicants with a background in the liberal arts such as Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Fine Arts. Applicants must demonstrate competency in mathematics and science. They must also have prior volunteer or paid experience in an elementary grades classroom.

Mathematics Competency
All applicants to the M.A.T. with Initial Teaching License: Early Childhood/Elementary program must demonstrate competency in mathematics. Applicants may demonstrate mathematics competency in one of three ways:

1. Earning a letter grade of “B” or better in at least one 100 level or above college course focused on the study of mathematics (i.e. a course with a MATH prefix). Math-related courses in statistics, physics, business or other subject areas will not be accepted in lieu of the mathematics requirement. Completion of the Oregon MATH 211, 212, 213 sequence is highly recommended and candidates are encouraged to take as many math courses as they can to prepare them for success in the MAT program and future success as elementary teachers. Students must take the course for a letter grade. (No Pass/Fail.)
2. Providing documentation of an AP score of 4 or 5 Calculus AB or Calculus BC exam.
3. Demonstrating mathematical competency through a comprehensive content-based interview with a Lewis & Clark Teacher Education faculty member.  

Science Competency
All applicants to the M.A.T. with Initial Teaching License: Early Childhood/Elementary program must demonstrate competency in science. Applicants may demonstrate science competency in one of two ways:

1. Earning a letter grade of “B” or better in at least one 100 level or above college course in any physical, earth, or life science. Candidates are encouraged to take as many science courses as they can to prepare them for success in the MAT program and future success as elementary teachers. Students must take the course for a letter grade. (No Pass/Fail.)
2. Demonstrating science competency through a comprehensive content-based interview with a Lewis & Clark Teacher Education faculty member.

Elementary Classroom Experience
Candidates for admission must have a history of work, either volunteer or paid, with children in grades preK-6. This experience must occur in school settings such as a public or private school, state licensed charter, or other school serving students in these grades. A minimum of 20 volunteer hours are required. For admissions purposes, teaching swimming, music or dance lessons, coaching youth, working as a nanny, a day care teacher, or as a private tutor are not accepted as approved classroom experiences with children. Applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or administrator who has observed the classroom work. See Letter of Recommendation requirement below.

Application Requirements

To receive priority consideration for admission and scholarships, applications and all supporting materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by the December 1 application deadline.

The following application materials are required:

1. Application Form
   You may use our online applicationor our paper application (pdf.). You may also contact the Graduate Office of Admissions to receive an application packet by mail.
2. Application Fee
   A $50 nonrefundable application fee is required. Online application: the fee is payable with a credit card or electronic check. Paper application: submit a check payable to “Lewis & Clark College”. Alumni of the graduate school will have the opportunity to request an application fee waiver.
3. Three Personal Essays
   Download our Personal Essays form (pdf.) for Early Childhood/Elementary essay topics and instructions. Essays may be single spaced or double spaced and can be submitted electronically (email attachment or as part of the online application) or in paper format (mailed or faxed). Essay #2 refers to the graduate school’s Mission and Vision statement which can be found here.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
   Three letters and three Recommendation for Admission forms(pdf.) must be submitted. The forms and letters should be written by three individuals who know you and are qualified to evaluate your academic competence, character and/or experience in professional or leadership roles. Professors, supervisors, and employers are often the best sources. References from a personal therapist, family members, or friends are not accepted.

   One letter of recommendation must be written by a teacher or administrator who has observed and/or supervised your paid or volunteer work with children in a preK- grade 6 classroom setting. The letter writer should specifically address his/her observations in the letter.

5. Official Transcripts
   Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or the foreign equivalent. Official, sealed transcripts must be submitted from each post-secondary institution attended regardless of the length of study or the number of courses taken. Faxed transcripts are not considered official by the Graduate School. Graduates of a non-U.S. university system are required to provide officially evaluated and translated copies of all their college transcripts. Official evaluations and translations are done by outside agencies. Information regarding three such agencies can be found by going to Information for International Students.
6. Supplemental Application Form (Online form)
   Applicants applying to the Early Childhood/Elementary program must complete and submit a supplemental application form. The form is used to document mathematics competency, science competency, and elementary classroom experience. You can submit your information online or by completing a paper form (pdf). If you choose paper, please print it and email, fax, or mail to the admissions office. 
7. Grade Point Average (GPA)
   All applicants must hold a minimum 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in their undergraduate degree. A minimum of 3.4 GPA is required for those students who graduated from an institution using a 5.0 scale.
8. Resume
   Submit a current professional resume listing positions, prior education, awards, classroom experience, and volunteer activities.
9. Test Scores
   Test scores are not required for admission to M.A.T. Preservice programs. However, if PRAXIS, CBEST, ORELA, NES, and/or WESTB tests have been taken, scores should be included with the application. Official or unofficial copies of your scores are acceptable for admissions purposes. Go to M.A.T. Preservice Test Information for more information. Beginning Summer 2013, passing test scores on a basic skills test will be an admissions requirement for all Preservice programs. Please plan accordingly!

Interview

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview with Teacher Education faculty. Selection will be based on initial faculty review of completed applications. Applicants who are out of the country or are unable to interview in person may be interviewed via Skype or phone.

Reapplicants

Application files for the M.A.T. Preservice program are kept for one year. If reapplying for the following year, you will need to submit a new application form and the $50 application fee. If you would like us to use the essay(s), resume, and/or letters of recommendation that were submitted with your old application please notify us of this in writing. If you wish to submit new essays, resume, or letters, send these in with your new application form. The Admissions office will notify you of any additional required documentation. If you are reapplying more than a year from your previous application, you will need to resubmit all required application materials.

Additional Information

• Testing Information

• Career & Licensing Services

• Veterans Services