"Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops." Henry Adams
The 5-year Teacher Education Program at Trinity University features preparation and certification in Early Childhood-Grade 4 (EC-4), Middle Grades (Grades 4-8), Grades 8-12, and All-Level Music. Supplemental certificates in All-Level Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) are also available. Students in teacher education major in the subject(s) they plan to teach, and the B.A. or B.S. degree in an academic discipline is awarded at the completion of undergraduate studies. The fifth year, which students must complete to satisfy Texas certification requirements and to receive the benefits of existing reciprocity agreements with other states, consists of a summer and two semesters. Upon completion of the fifth year, students receive a M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching), a professional degree.
The purpose of the undergraduate requirements in teacher education is to ensure that students achieve the academic content mastery, the intellectual habits of mind, and the pedagogical readiness that are required to gain admission to the 5th year graduate program and, ultimately, to meet state teacher certification standards. We expect that Trinity undergraduates who plan to apply for the M.A.T. program will follow one of the plans for certification described in the catalogue. In certain exceptional cases – for example, post-baccalaureate candidates and Trinity students who make a late decision to apply to the 5th year program– applicants may be able to demonstrate that they have attained the prerequisite academic knowledge and skills, intellectual habits of mind, and pedagogic readiness through assessments other than a transcript review. These supplemental assessments may include: outstanding grades in courses in the proposed teaching field, additional standardized examinations such as the PRAXIS II in the proposed teaching field, and other performance exhibitions that the faculty determine. For more details about the admission process, click on "Admission Information" below.
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If you would like more information on the MAT Program, contact the Department of Education at (210) 999-7501