What’s the difference between an M.Ed. and an MAT degree?

‍Both are graduate level degrees that can prepare you for teacher certification and advance your career in the field of education. An M.Ed. degree may delve into more theoretical coursework that could eventually lead to careers in curriculum development, administration and leadership. On the other hand, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) provides more practical hands-on experience in classroom teaching and working more directly with students. It is ideal if you do not have an undergraduate degree in teaching but would like to make a career change or become licensed to teach.

1. Develop, implement, assess and modify curriculum and lessons that integrate research-based pedagogy and are developmentally appropriate to their content area, the PA PreK-12 Academic Standards, and concentration level: elementary (Grades PreK–4), middle school, secondary, technical education and art
2. Plan, adapt and implement developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate evidence-based instructional practices and strategies that integrate appropriate and effective classroom management in various educational settings
3. Communicate deep content knowledge to plan and implement lessons and instructional practices that use active student engagement and formal and/or informal assessment to measure student responsiveness to instruction
4. Develop professional dispositions with respect to students, parents and families, and demonstrate integrity, ethical behavior and professional conduct as stated in Pennsylvania’s Code of Professional Practice & Conduct for Educators
5. Identify, administer and interpret multiple assessments (formative, summative, benchmark, behavioral, diagnostic, cognitive and/or affective and psychomotor) that are developmentally appropriate and aligned with content area standards and learning objectives to inform planning and instruction for groups and individual students