Trevecca To Offer Fully Online Master’s Option For Aspiring Teachers

Trevecca Nazarene University has introduced a new pathway for aspiring teachers who are entering education from other professions: a fully online option in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.

The Master of Arts in teaching offers an initial licensure for the state of Tennessee in elementary education (K-5) or secondary education (6-12) for anyone who already has a bachelor’s degree in another field, and wants to become a teacher. Thanks to the new format, candidates can choose between a traditional face-to-face option or attend classes virtually.

“We are thrilled to be able to make this convenient option available for future teachers,” said Trevecca MAT program director Dr. Andrew Burnham. "We know many candidates still want to be on campus with their peers and professors, but we also understand that we live in a virtual world and candidates need to have a remote option for classes. This program is a good compromise of both traditional and virtual."

The degree can be completed in as little as 18 months and is designed to accommodate the schedule of a working professional. The majority of the MAT courses will be delivered in a typical online or asynchronous format that allows coursework to be completed within a flexible timeframe. Certain specialized courses will use synchronous instruction with a set schedule to offer more direction and coaching in the curriculum.

The online program gives students the same opportunities that in-person instruction does, including the ability to student teach in Tennessee classrooms. The online degree is also open to job-embedded students – candidates who have already secured a position in the classroom – and some are able to complete the program in as few as four semesters.

“At Trevecca, we are constantly looking for ways to adapt to the needs of our students, while providing the best education possible,” Burnham said. “This program is for anyone who feels called to teach, but is unable to attend classes in person because of a full-time work schedule. Our hope is this program will remove a barrier that many working professionals face, while also helping to fill the important and growing need for teachers.”

Trevecca’s School of Education received the highest possible rating on the Tennessee State Board of Education’s most recent Educator Preparation Report Card. The Master of Arts in teaching program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and also meets the rigorous national standards for education preparation established by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Enrollment is open now for a fall 2024 online MAT cohort. More information about the degree program is available at trevecca.edu.