Frequently Asked Questions
Our department offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions about our program, specific differences between our degree offerings, etc. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our website or from other sources. Should you have any further questions, please fill out our contact us form.
General Questions
- What is the difference between an MEd program and this MAT program?
Compared to a typical MEd degree, this MAT degree program is focused more on the science and mathematics content and on how to do research than on general practice and educational theory.
- What are the educational benefits of these particular MAT degree programs?
Building on fundamental coursework in STEM education, adult learners will benefit from direct interaction with renowned experts and specialists in biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics, physics, science education, and mathematics education, as well as other related schools and departments. Interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world experience will help to integrate the core concepts of science with the subtleties of pedagogy that spring from allowing students to construct their own knowledge.
In advancing their career status, graduates of this program will have knowledge and skills to serve as innovative practitioners and qualified academicians. The knowledge in scientific research, mathematics and educational practice gleaned from their advanced study will allow them to effectively promote science and/or mathematics within K-16 classrooms. They and their students will be prepared to find acceptable solutions for the complex issues common in today’s economic, political, and educational arenas.
- What if I’m not a traditional 'non-traditional' student?
Not only are the MAT courses student-centered, but so are the program options in order to better serve a diverse population with specific needs. Degree plans can accommodate elective hours to fulfill prerequisite deficiencies and content hours to address specialization area interests. Course sequencing enables students to maintain a full or partial load over independent semesters.
- How do I apply and what are the general admission criteria for the MAT programs?
Please refer to the graduate section or the UTD Prospective Students website for more information. Our advisor can answer questions about admissions.
- How much will it cost?
Students are billed depending on their residency status, and number of graduate courses. Recent legislation has and will continue to affect tuition and fee amounts; for updated information, please check the UTD Bursar's Office website.
- What courses are offered?
Visit our course descriptions and semester schedules.
When are courses offered?
All courses are offered at night or in the summer. See the current semester schedule.
- How many semester credit hours are required to complete the program?
Please refer to the Program Information page, but generally 36 graduate credit hours. The advisor can answer questions about admissions.
- Will my employer accept the MAT degree as a "real" degree?
All of the UT System universities are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
- Can courses from a previous Master's degree apply toward this degree?
You are allowed to transfer up to 12 graduate semester hours with approval from your advisor. These courses must have been taken from an accredited university within the past seven years in order to be considered.
- Must I still apply for admissions into the program and take the GRE if I am not interested in pursuing a Master’s Degree?
You must still apply for admission into the graduate program but if you classify yourself as non-degree seeking, you are allowed to take up to 12 semester hours without being required submit the two letters of recommendation. None of the MAT degrees in this department require the GRE at this time.
- What kind of certification will I receive?
Receiving an MAT degree will NOT confer teacher certification to you from the State of Texas. To receive Texas Teacher Certification you must complete other requirements outside the scope of this program.
- How can I find more information?
If you can't find the information you're looking for in our website, please contact us.
- What does my GRE score need to be?
Good news! At this time none of our MAT programs required the GRE.
- Do I need the TOEFL if I have a degree from a college/university in an English speaking country?
In general, you don’t need the TOEFL if you have a degree from an English speaking country. However, contact both the International Student Services and Enrollment Services to confirm this information.
- Is there a Science Education or Mathematics Education doctorate degree?
Not at this time. If you are interested in requesting a doctorate in these areas, please contact the Office of the President.
- Do I really need to bother with NetID?
Yes! It’s critical that you get your NetID set up as soon as possible. All official emails from your instructors will be sent directly to your UT Dallas email account, not to any other account even if you have provided that information to the department. Through NetID you can choose to forward this email account to the one you check most frequently. If you haven’t set up your account, do that now!
- What is a Comet Card and do I really need one?
A Comet Card is the UT Dallas official identification. You must have your Comet Card number to be able to access the library from off-campus. This allows you to search for books, periodicals, research journals and other information without having to come to UTD. You must have a Comet Card if you are an online student; it is strongly recommended for students who are taking face-to-face courses, as well.
Mathematics Education Questions
- Who might enroll in MAT-Mathematics Education face-to-face program – and why?
The MAT-ME degree helps to fulfill mathematics educators’ need for depth in mathematics content as well as their need to understand current issues in mathematics education to become leaders in middle schools through community colleges. This traditional program is appropriate for:- public/private school teachers needing mathematics content;
- mathematics educators seeking to continue/further studies in an area of high interest;
- district supervisors needing to understand current issues in mathematics education;
- community college instructors seeking content to advance their knowledge;
- university faculty seeking to improve their teaching and/or expand their research at the university level;
- training professionals needing to ‘round out’ their existing knowledge with pedagogical techniques that are applicable to a range of content areas; and,
- school leaders seeking to make sound decisions regarding high-stake investments in mathematics education procedures, practice, and policy.
- What if I’m an elementary mathematics teacher?
Elementary or Middle School mathematics teachers may wish to consider a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree.
Science Education Questions
The MAT-SE degree helps to fulfill science educators’ need for breadth in science content and depth in science content as well as their need to understand science education research to become leaders in K-16 educational institutions. The face-to-face strand is appropriate for students who would prefer to complete their degree through traditional means:
- public/private school teachers needing integrated science content across grade levels;
- science educators seeking to continue/further studies in an area of high interest;
- district supervisors needing to conduct and understand research in science education;
- community college instructors seeking content that may not be available locally;
- university faculty seeking to improve their teaching and/or expand their research methods at the university level;
- training professionals needing to ‘round out’ their existing knowledge with pedagogical techniques that are applicable to a range of content areas; and,
- school leaders seeking to make sound decisions regarding high-stake investments in science education procedures, practice, and policy.
Yes, you may apply to the program as a non-degree seeking student to begin your coursework. After 12 hours of successful coursework in science you may change your status to degree seeking. These 12 hours in science will count toward your MAT-SE degree as well as satisfy the program's entry requirements. Upon acceptance to the program, your advisor will help you select coursework to fulfill this requirement.
If you have never had a course in statistics and are not mathematically inclined, you would be well served to take a statistics class (beyond basic probability) at a community college. If you are adept at mathematics, the statistics we will be using will not be hard for you to learn. However, a course in educational statistics will support what you will be doing in the research courses. The UT Dallas course, STAT 5353, gives you the basic information you need.
- Updated: March 15, 2012
