Getting started on your application for Rice's Master of Arts in Teacher is the first step in your graduate school journey. Below you will find all of the steps needed to get started.
Find Your Application Deadline
We accept applications twice a year. Current Rice undergraduates interested in the 5th year MAT path should apply during their sophomore year of undergraduate study.
Interested candidates who have missed the application deadline should contact us at education@rice.edu for additional options.
| Admission Cycle/Start Date | Classes Start | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Summer & Fall Semester | May & August | March 15 |
| Spring Semester | January | October 15 |
Ensure Your Eligibility
We have outlined the following criteria needed to succeed in each Master of Arts in Teaching path. If you have any questions about your eligibility, we are more than happy to discuss your individual circumstance in depth. Please contact us at education@rice.edu.
| Criteria | MAT w/ Principal Certification For Experienced Teachers | MAT For Experienced Teachers | MAT For New Teachers | MAT For Rice Undergraduates (5th Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree 3.0 GPA or higher |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Overall 3.0 GPA in current studies |
| Two Years Teaching Experience By matriculation semester |
✔ | ✔ | - | - |
| Content Area Hours in Selected Teaching Field1 24 hours (min.) in content area |
- | - | ✔ | 12 hours (min.) needed; 15 for math and science |
| Content Area GPA 2.75 GPA or higher |
- | - | ✔ | Minimum 2.5 GPA in content area |
1 If content hours requirements are not met, please contact us at education@rice.edu for alternate options.
Submit Your Application
Application components vary by selected path. Please review the matrix below to understand which items will be requested as a part of your admissions process. There will be an opportunity to attach all supplemental documents in the online application. Additional steps like the interview will be scheduled after we have received your submitted application. We recommend you request your academic transcript(s) and secure your references early.
| Item | MAT w/ Principal Certification For Experienced Teachers | MAT For Experienced Teachers | MAT For New Teachers | MAT For Rice Undergraduates (5th Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Studies Application | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Official transcript from previous and/or current university studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Three letters of reference Accompanied by the forms provided in the application packet. Two references must be from a supervisor. An academic reference is strongly preferred. |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Statement of Intent | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | - |
| Application Fee ($85) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | - |
| Interview with the Admissions Committee | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Timed Writing Sample 60 minutes, to be submitted on the day of the interview |
✔ | ✔ | - | - |
| Valid classroom teaching certificate | ✔ | - | - | - |
| Service record from the school district(s) A minimum two years of teaching experience is required. |
✔ | ✔ | - | - |
| Principal Mentor Form Serves as verification of campus support for practicum year |
✔ | - | - | - |
Additional Details
- Veterans and Transfer Applicants
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The Education Program welcomes students transferring from accredited institutions of higher education.
Information for Military Veteran Applicants
You may find information about veteran benefits, credit transfers, and application process here.Information for Transfer Applicants
Six credit hours may transfer from another Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that specifically correlate with the Rice University Education (EDUC) courses. The transferring courses must demonstrate an alignment to the Teaching Standards in 19 TAC, Chapter 149.A candidate transferring from another IHE as an undergraduate student must complete at least 24 credit hours of a 30 credit hour coursework program in the Rice University Education Department. The Department does not offer an undergraduate degree in Education; therefore, candidates must major in the area they want to teach. To be admitted to the program, candidates must have completed 12 credit hours in their content area, 15 credit hours for math and science.
Graduate students transferring from another IHE must complete at least 30 credit hours of a 36-hour coursework program and must have 24 credit hours in the content area or 12 credit hours in the content area, 15 for math and science, and passing scores on the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).
Candidates transferring into the Rice University Education Department from an alternative certification program must complete 30 credit hours of a 30 credit hour coursework program. Clock hours from an Alternative Certification Program are not accepted for a graduate degree at Rice University.
If a transfer candidate has a bachelor’s degree and has 12 hours of content in a teaching certificate that the program offers or 15 hours of math or science content, then a passing score on the PACT is required prior to admission into the Rice University Education Department.
If a candidate has taken and passed the content and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility exams those scores are transferable. Field-based experience from another educational preparation program is not transferable for the required Education Department’s field-based experience work in the semester or the year prior to the clinical practicum or internship year.
- Certification Requirements for a Texas Secondary Certificate
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Our graduate degree requires a teaching internship and eligibility for state certification, both of which are contingent on a student having eligibility to work in the United States. Standard certification can only be recommended after the intern has completed one full year of teaching with students.
- Calendar of Progression from Application to Standard Teacher Certification
-
Candidates interested in the Education Program will follow the process from application to admission and teacher preparation that will generate questions, develop learning strategies, and foster a similar development in students.
VIEW MAT CALENDAR OF PROGRESSION
- Fingerprinting/Criminal Background Check
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Candidates will not be issued either a probationary or a standard teaching certificate from the State of Texas without the fingerprinting/criminal background check. Candidates may apply for the criminal background check prior to submitting an application into an educational preparation program, but must be done prior to being on any school campus with the program. If the results of the process are unsatisfactory, the candidate may petition the TEA for reconsideration of the results.
For further information about preliminary checks:
- https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/National_Criminal_History_Checks-FAQs/
- https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Preliminary_Criminal_History_Evaluation-FAQs/
Criminal history record information includes both conviction and arrest records. The State of Texas (by House Bill 1508 in 2017) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) require that an educator preparation program inform all certification program applicants and candidates about the State’s rules on criminal background checks from the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, the Texas Education Code Chapter 22.0831 and the Texas Administrative Code, Part VII, Chapter 227, Subchapter B. For further information about criminal history checks see TEA’s Investigations web page: http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/
A school district may deny the placement of a participant with a criminal background.
- Additional Resources
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Rice University State Exam Pass Rates
Rice University State Supply and Demand
Rice University Title II Report
Rice University seeks to attract to its faculty, staff and student body qualified persons of diverse backgrounds. In accordance with this policy, Rice does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status.
Interested in the Rice MAT?
Join us at an upcoming information session or connect with us one-on-one to get started.