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4+1 Master of Arts in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

Start now! Earn your Master of Education in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

At the end of the junior year, all Florida Southern students are eligible to be considered for early admission to the MAT program.

This program is designed for individuals interested in becoming a teacher and earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction that provides advanced classroom teaching skills through research-based strategies and techniques. This degree is focused on transformational teaching methods including active, student-centered, collaborative, experiential, and problem-based learning.

Top Reasons

Early Admission

This opportunity will allow candidates to begin coursework during their last semester as an undergraduate and save time earning this prestigious degree.

Advance your knowledge

Begin your teaching career by learning about research-based strategies and teaching methods to support you in a smooth transition as a classroom teacher. 

Connected

Partnerships with local Polk County schools provide opportunities for internships and assist with job placement upon completing your degree.

Clinical Experience

This program at Florida Southern College offers students the opportunity for a 70-day internship in a Polk County School classroom for a hands-on teaching (and resume building!) experience. However, students who receive their full Professional Teaching Certificate are exempt from the requirement.

Prestigious Credentials

Our graduates enjoy a high job placement rate, and are impacting their classrooms, schools and communities on a daily basis.

Flexible Schedule

You may choose to complete your degree in as little of 4 semesters, plus an internship. The MAT program consists of courses that are 100% online prior to a face-to-face internship during the final semester of the program.

Recognized Accomplishments

School districts recognize the time and effort teachers spend in graduate school, and want these individuals to stay in the district to help direct future growth of a school. Master’s degree holders are the best chance schools have to enact positive curriculum-wide changes and improve student outcomes. As an added benefit of earning a master’s degree, you gain a bigger voice in the national conversation on education. As educators further develop their understanding of teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and professional resources, they become more valuable members of the educational community.

Learn More about benefits of graduate school

Program Details

Admission Requirements

  • Must have 93+ undergraduate credit hours completed at the start of the program.
  • Students are encouraged to apply for admission during their junior year.
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Photocopy of ID, passport, or driver’s license
  • Completion of a background check clearance from the Polk County School Board (PCSB)
  • MAT Director Approval

Course Delivery

Online

100% of the courses are offered online, excluding the student teaching internship and course seminar which are completed in a Polk County Public School.

Curriculum

Foundation Courses - 6 hours

Course NumberCourse Name
EDU 6910Transformational Teaching and Learning (4 hours)
EDU 6920Transformational Learning Environments (2 hours)

Required Courses - 36 hours

EDU 6610Internship (10 Hours)
EDU 6640Student Teaching Seminar (2 Hours)
EDU 6930Transformational Teaching and Learning through Research
EDU 6940Transformational Approaches to Curriculum and Instruction
EDU 6950Transformational Teaching and Learning with Diverse Populations and Special Education
EDU 6960Assessing Transformational Teaching and Learning
EDU 6970Transformational Instructional Leadership
EDU 6980Advanced Research in Transformational Teaching and Learning

MAT Program Total - 42 hours

All students will begin the program in the Foundation Courses, which ensure a strong foundation in education, before entering advanced MAT-level classes.

Program Costs

Admitted undergraduate students will be allowed to complete a maximum of six credit hours of graduate work. These credits will count toward their MAT degree requirements. Any MAT courses attempted in the fall or spring semesters before receiving the undergraduate degree will be charged at the traditional undergraduate full-time tuition rate. Graduate courses taken after the student receives their undergraduate degree will be billed at the current MAT per credit hour rate.

2024 - 2025

Base Required FeesCost
Tuition Per Credit Hour$475
Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled$30 to $120

$250 Non-Refundable Enrollment Deposit (Upon acceptance and applied toward your first semester tuition balance)

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Program Contact

Laura Hutson Laura Hutson, MS

Admission Counselor and Advisor

 863.680.4914

 863.250.4194

Brooke Veal Brooke Veal, MATL

Director of Field Studies and Evening Education Programs

Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 106

 863.680.5004

Lori Rakes Lori Rakes, Ph.D.

Dean of Education

Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair of Education

Associate Professor of Education

Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 113

 863.680.4172