Already Teaching? Earn Your Full Certification in Two Years.
If you are a conditionally certified teacher, UMBC’s Educator-Friendly MAT is designed for you.
This two-year program recognizes that you are already doing the work of teaching, and that your preparation program should support that work, not compete with it. Our program is built around the needs and schedules of working teachers, with coursework that connects directly to what is happening in your classroom and follows the natural rhythm of the school year.
Over two years, you will work toward your Master of Arts in Teaching and full teacher certification while strengthening the skills you use every day. You’ll receive practical, relevant preparation, individualized guidance, and support from faculty who understand the challenges of learning to teach while already serving as the teacher of record.
You’re already a teacher. We’ll help you become an even better one—and earn the certification to match.
Certification Areas:
- Early Childhood Pre-K-3
- Elementary 1-6
- Secondary 7-12
- Art
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classical Foreign Language
- Dance
- Earth/Space Science
- English
- Mathematics
- Modern Foreign Language
- Choral Music
- Instrumental Music
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Social Studies
- Tech Ed
- Theatre
Construction and Coursework–Hybrid and Flexible
Each program year is designed and built around the public school calendar and runs from August through early June. Coursework is organized into convenient monthly modules, with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning and courses are intentionally integrated and sequenced to help candidates connect what they learn with their individual classroom practice. Each session will include a prior-knowledge folder for candidates who may need additional background information and instructors may provide additional support or smaller-group instruction as needed. Candidates will receive credit for clinical experiences and the program includes individualized support to help candidates develop their practice.
Year two follows the same model structure with the addition of supervised, on-the-job clinical experience. The candidate will receive regular feedback and guidance from a school-based mentor and a UMBC supervisor will observe and evaluate the candidate using the STAR assessment to provide additional feedback.
Everything You Need for Maryland Licensure
As a Maryland Approved Master of Arts in Teaching program, the Educator Friendly MAT includes required MAT coursework, supervised clinical experience, edTPA, and SLO project. The SLO project and edTPA are completed during the year two seminar course. Degree completion is contingent upon candidates completing all required coursework and maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA. To earn licensure in the state of Maryland all candidates must also complete the required Praxis assessments and any other applicable program requirements.
Your Path to the Classroom, with Support Every Step of the Way
The Educator Friendly MAT combines graduate-level learning, real classroom experience, and personalized support in a program designed to fit the life of an educator. UMBC will guide you through the program, while helping you build the knowledge, skills and confidence to because an effective well rounded educator.
For more information please fill out our google interest form!
Or Email:
Cheryl Blackwell
Program Management Specialist, Certification Officer
blackwel@umbc.edu