The Master of Arts in Teaching in education (Holmes Program)—designed for prospective elementary and secondary teachers—integrates courses and experiences necessary for teacher certification as well as for the degree.
Elementary education majors complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in education at LSU. Those students who select the five-year Holmes teacher education program and enter as juniors take education and liberal arts courses for two years and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education. Completing this undergraduate degree is a prerequisite to entering the teacher education program. Admission to this fifth year program is contingent on admission to The Graduate School.
Prospective teachers in secondary areas (mathematics, English, social studies, science) first complete an undergraduate program in a college offering a degree in their area of teaching interest. Admission to this teacher education program is contingent on admission to The Graduate School.
The MAT is a cohort program with a specific school-level academic course plan, and is a non-thesis degree requiring a special project. The curricular requirements include:
- At least 24 hours at the 7000 level or above.
- A primary area consisting of 33 hours of earned credit in a specified field of study.
- One three-hour graduate elective selected in consultation with major advisor.
The student must pass a final exam consisting of a presentation and defense of a written special project.