Master of Arts in Teaching Grades 6 -12
Application Information
Why choose this program?
- start teaching with a provisional license (earning a full-time salary and benefits)
- gain deeper understanding of your content area
- take classes with other new teachers in your subject area
- study with education experts
- receive mentoring from experienced teachers
- learn crucial insights for a successful teaching career
- earn your Master of Arts in Teaching in just one year
Requirements?
- BA degree in any field
- passing scores on Praxis Core and Praxis subject specific exams
- 3.0 GPA
- personal statement
May 1st - all requested materials must be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions for guaranteed consideration
Applications are welcome after May 1st, but cannot be guaranteed consideration.
Coursework begins in late May.
Access the online LSU Graduate School application
- First-time users must create and account to start an application
- Admission Type: on-campus
- Academic Program:
- Degree Type Master's
- Select a Program: Education - Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) - MAT
- What is the semester or module you plan to enroll: Summer 20xx
- Make sure to carefully read the instructions on the Application Instructions page
- Fill in all Personal Background Information including your Social Security Number
- Fill in all Academic History: transcripts from your institution are required; be sure to follow the instructions for uploading
- Answer questions regarding Prior LSU Enrollment if applicable
- Supplemental Education
- select Specialization (Biology, Chemistry, English, Math, Physics, Social Studies)
- list Praxis scores
- answer if you hold licensure (if yes indicate licensure held)
- Application Attachments please upload
- resume/curriculum vitae
- statement of purpose - you should address such matters as areas of interest, your plans for development
- writing sample
- other documents in support of your application
- Department Information
- enter financial information
- relevant coursework - list no more than 12 courses that you feel have prepared you for graduate study
- research and/or teaching experience - teaching experience may include tutoring, summer camp experiences, etc.
- Test Scores
- passing scores on all state mandated portions of the Praxis series must be presented by applicants (see Praxis section below)
- Employment
- account for your activities for the past five calendar years; do not include academic enrollment information which is covered in the Education History section or summers if you were not enrolled in school
- Fill in Selective Service/Military Information
- Residency
- information in this section is required if you are claiming Louisiana residency for tuition purposes
- scroll down to the bottom of the page to ensure you enter high school information regardless if you claim Louisiana residency or not
- Fill in Disciplinary Information
- Recommendations
- enter the information for each of your recommenders
- we suggest you contact each recommender individually to ask them if they are willing to serve in this capacity. You will want to ask them to include information about their perception of your academic abilities, professionalism, and aptitude for teaching
- select if you waive your right to examine the letter or not
- enter the information for each of your recommenders
- Fill in Authorization statement
- Certification
- This is the final step in the application process prior to payment and submission. No changes to your application through the online system are allowed once you confirm your submission.
Due to state laws, applicants cannot be admitted to the Secondary Holmes Program without passing scores on:
- Praxis Core (Reading, Writing, and Math) or meeting the State Board Approved Options
- Praxis Subject Specific tests required for the content area to which the applicant is applying.
Learn more about the Praxis tests, locate testing centers, and register for a test at this website.
- applicants are encouraged to register for a test date that will allow receipt of their scores by May 1
- select LSU (recipient code 6373) as a score recipient when registering
Praxis Core
Measures academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics deemed by teacher educators to be essential for all candidates preparing to be teachers, no matter what content area or grade-level they aspire to teach. These portions must be successfully passed or applicants must obtain a Praxis Core Waiver.
| Praxis Core | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|
| Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading | 5713 | 156 |
| Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing | 5723 | 162 |
| Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics | 5733 | 150 |
Praxis Core State Board Approved Options
- An ACT® composite score of 22 or an SAT® combined verbal/critical reading and math score of 1100 or higher may be used in lieu of Core exams by prospective teachers in Louisiana. LSU students or graduates who have official ACT/SAT scores on file, you will not need to submit any additional documentation with your application.
- Non-LSU graduates who meet the Praxis Core Waiver requirement must submit a copy of their official score card with the Office Graduate Admissions and Assessment.
- Applicants with an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution may be exempt from the Core admission requirement. We will verify the earning of the master’s degree from your transcript.
Praxis Subject Specific Tests
Secondary Education Grades 6–12 applicants must pass one of the Secondary Education subject-specific tests.
| To Be Certified In | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Biology: Content Knowledge | 5235 | 150 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry: Content Knowledge | 5245 | 151 |
| English | English Language Arts: Content and Analysis | 5039 | 168 |
| Mathematics | Mathematics: Content Knowledge | 5161 | 160 |
| Physics | Physics: Content Knowledge | 5265 | 141 |
| Social Studies | Social Studies: Content and Interpretation | 5086 | 153 |
Applications will be compiled after the May 1 application deadline. Applicants will be contacted if there are missing application materials. Once the application is complete including receipt of all test scores, the Secondary Holmes Admissions Committee will review the application and admission decisions will be made. Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions on or before June 1. If an application is missing test scores, an admission decision cannot be made.
College of Human Sciences & Education scholarship applications will be available in March, School of Education scholarship applications will be available in February. Applicants will be sent additional information when applications are open.
LSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant