Frequently Asked Questions From Prospective Students
1. How long will it take to complete the degree?
The answer to this question will, of course, vary. MSU interns who are bringing 9 approved credits from their Teacher Certification Internship Year can complete the MATC in as little one calendar year, or four semesters. Students completing all 30 credits may expect to take 2 academic years to complete the program. All requirements for the MATC must be met within 5 years. (See Timeline for Navigating the MATC for a chart reflecting start and end dates for timely programs)
2. What courses might transfer into the MATC?
The MATC will consider up to 12 (twelve) combined Lifelong/Graduate Certification (GC) credits as applicable to the degree.
Of these, only 9 (nine) may be from the Intern Year for those degree candidates who did their initial teacher certification program at MSU: TE 801, TE 802 and TE 804. (An exception for those who interned 2004-2005 or earlier allows TE 803 as well, though all degree requirements--including those done prior to the program or at another institution--must be met within 5 years (e.g., 5 calendar years minus one semester)
MSU Teacher Prep Interns 2005-2006 and since may bring in an additional 3 credits (e.g., in addition to the 9 intern year credits) only if taken at the Graduate Certification (GC) level and approved for the student's MATC program.
The MATC will consider up to 9 credits of appropriate graduate transfer work from other institutions provided it meets the same conditions of timeliness and program appropriateness as determined by the MATC Program Advisor. While informal discussion about transfer credit may occur at anytime, actual credit transfer evalaution requires full matriculation to the MATC--e.g, program enrollment in addition to admission.
3. What happens to my application once I have submitted all materials? How long will it take for me to hear what decision has been made regarding my application?
We review applications as soon as all materials are received. The process varies but every effort is made to insure timely processing of your application. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for the semester they intend to start the program, however, late applications may be considered as long as space in the program and time for processing remain.
4. How do I learn about enrolling once I am admitted?
The MATC Acceptance Letter Insert will contain pertinent inforamtion regarding the Schedule Of Courses along with activating the MSU NetID (for accessing student accounts and MSU email) as well as instructions on how to use the Schedule Builder within the Schedule of Courses for enrolling and checking on the availablilty of TE and other department courses.
MSU uses ANGEL as an electronic venue for delivering most (though not all) of its online courses.
5. I do not have teacher certification. Will the MATC prepare me to teach in public schools?
No, the MATC does not lead to initial certification. However, lf you are interested in obtaining Michigan Provisional Teacher Certification, you may be interested in the College of Education's Post Bachelor Teacher Certification Program. The "Post-BA" is a program that enables persons with a bachelor's degree (or higher) to be recommended for certification by Michigan State University through a combination of course work and graduated field placements culminating in a year-long internship in a K-12 school. To find out more about the Post-BA and its various requirements, please visit the College of Education's Post Bachelor Teacher Certification Program website.
