Buena Vista University Launches Two Online Master of Arts in Teaching Programs

July 28, 2023

Buena Vista University has launched two online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs to further expand its reach across the state of Iowa. The new MAT in Special Education and MAT in Secondary Education programs are designed for working professionals and range between 35 and 44 credit hours. 

“We are so excited to offer this pathway for licensure because it will provide students who already have a bachelor's degree an opportunity to pursue a master's degree in education,” says Dr. Brittany Garling, Dean of the School of Education. “This additional pathway will help reduce the state teaching shortages in a variety of areas. BVU wants to continue to support our K-12 partners by creating new pathways towards teacher licensure.”

The MAT in Special Education is for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who want to become special education teachers in Iowa’s elementary, middle, and high schools. Graduates of this program will earn a master's degree with an initial Iowa teaching licensure in K-12 Strategist II BD/LD or ID.

The MAT in Secondary Education provides an opportunity for career changers who possess a bachelor’s degree to transition into the field of education as a middle school or high school teacher. Graduates of this program earn an initial Iowa teaching licensure in grades 5-12 content areas alongside their master’s degree.

Applications for both MAT programs are being accepted now. More information can be found at: bvu.edu/mat. The first set of cohorts for both programs begin Aug. 28, 2023. 

The MAT programs join multiple graduate education degrees at BVU including programs in Special Education, Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership, Talented and Gifted Education, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Teacher Technology Integration (in partnership with Discovery Education).